Second labour - your experience

[Vickster]

Very good to know! My first labour was 24 hours from established labour to birth, with 2 days of early labour before that, so am desparately hoping it will be quicker next time!

Fuschia Wrote:

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> Hmm, if we count it from being at 4cm, T was

> probably born in about an hour!

>

> There was a 5 year gap between my 1st and

> 2nd/3rd... but labour was very fast both times.

[littleEDfamily]

With second babies (based on stories I hear and my own experience) it seems they are prone to coming only when mum is all organised and ready. I was determined to give birth on a Friday, at night and lo and behold I did. Baked some date scones, waited for hubby to get home and put Sprog 1 to bed, and what do you know, 10 min later went into labour. Spooky. Anyone else had that sort of experience?

[The Nappy Lady]

Yes LittleEDFamily - my midwife said it is very common for 2nd (and subsequent) babies to come when other children have been sorted/left the house etc.

In my case within a few minutes of DD1 going over to the neighbours for a sleepover labour really kicked in - I didn't feel at all stressed about her being around, was quite happy with things, but even so it was interesting that once she was out of the way it all kicked off.

I was also very worried about hubby not getting home in time for the birth/pool not being up in time/not being at home in time!!!, but it is amazing how often things do seem to work out so maybe we control our labours a lot more than we realise we do.

For those of you expecting your 2nd it is worth seeing if a couple of friends - maybe those with children of a similar age to your current child would be willing to be on a standby list to take your child until Parents (or whoever) can get there to take over, should things happen quickly. In my experience people are often very willing to help, but we Brits can be a bit reticient about taking them up on their offers. Fingers crossed it will work out for you all without any hassles.

Molly

x

[Bishberro]

Definitely true for me. My first son was two days in labour, epidural and ended in a ventouse.

Second one two weeks ago was so quick it was an unplanned home birth with no drugs - half an hour after the first contraction I was 10cm dilated and ready to push. An hour later out popped a 9lb 8oz boy in our bed!

I've found everything is a lot less extreme second time around.

Edited to say that I was also worried about who would look after my son which I think is why my labour started at night when he was in bed and the second my parents arrived from up North. I'm not sure I'll ever get over the idignity of my dad coming into the bedroom just in time to see me give birth to my placenta but heigh ho!

[Sanne Panne]

Fuschia Wrote:

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> Sanne Panne Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

>

> >

> > Second baby: 1 hour from established labour to

> > birth

>

> Congratulations! x

Thanks! Tried to pm you about something else but inbox full...

[edanna]

Would definitely second Molly's suggestion to have local friends on standby. My first labour went on for days but 2nd time was 90 mins from waters breaking (first sign) to baby out. My sister only had to come from earls court and we left for kings as soon as she arrived. But we had an agonising wait in the waiting room for about 10 mins and only just made it into the delivery room.

[Moi23]

Congratulations bishberro!

[fearnpw1]

Bishberro - your post made me laugh so much! You poor thing! I'm sure your dad was as mortified as you were!

I'm also slightly terrified by the stories I've read. I had a 45 hour labour with my first - have conveninently forgotten most of it (helped by an epidural 36 hours in!). I'm firmly in the bury head in sand and deal with it when you get to it camp. Although I suppose I am reading this thread so that's not strictly true.

Most of my friends work, which is the other complication - there aren't that many people who do nothing all day so to ask them to be on standby for me feels really selfish. But I don't have much of an alternative from the sound of it!

[happydulwich]

Fantastic thread!

My second was a nightmare, two weeks late, hormone drip in the end, very far from the planned home birth!

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

[UmmNaziya]

great birth stories! just remember there are no set rules, be prepared for any outcome.

My first labour was approx 5 hrs, 10mins pushing about 3hrs after i arrived at hospital. Second was a fantastic home birth in the pool, 13 hrs! when my waters went i thought "ooh, any minute now!"not so apparently.

both births were painful though i had gas and air second time which worked for me and i mustve pushed for 1 or 2 mins max.i literally put my finger in, felt hair and thought "im not doing this for another 15mins" closed my mouth tightly and pushed silently guiding my baby's head out. although it was more than twice the time, the home environment, my calm demeanor and control made it the more pleasant birth.

oh and first daughter weighed 9lb, second 8lb 2 1/2oz, so didn't follow that rule either!x