Labour - 2nd and subsequent pregnancies

My labour with DS was 4 hours, from hind waters breaking (first sign of labour) to the 3rd stage, the placenta. The pushing stage was only 6 minutes and 3 pushes!!

About a week before labour started I had (sorry TMI) a loose bowel motion and started loosing my mucous plug. I had the odd bit of period like pain in my back, but nothing to write home about.

Anyways, how did your 2nd and/or subsequent labours start? Did they have similarities? Was baby 1st and 2nd time in the same position or different?

ETA - DS was born at 38 weeks.

Edited by WestiesGirl

Westies girl - i had a short labour with my first, similar to you, 3.5hrs from first niggle to finish. So i thought my second birth would be quick to and it was. Less than an hour from first sign to finish, i was 4cm when checked by mw and was holding bubs 8 mins later, with no real effort of pushing. So all i will say is be prepared for another quick birth, and ring your mw as soon as possible.

Both babies presented the in the same position, but different gestations, so 41wks versus 39wks. Labours started differently, with first i lost plug and water broke 30 mins before contractions started. With second i started with contractions and waters broke after about 30mins.

Edited by Kicker

I felt fantastic after number 2. Recovery seemed much quicker, the "pushing stage" was so much easier (maybe due to birthing standing up). It was still a shock that it happened so fast but at least i was a little prepared. Also transition was only about 2 contraction so much easier to handle Also so much more relaxing as you know what to do with a newborn, so i got to enjoy it more as i wasnt worried about what i was supposed to do, IYKWIM.

I LOVE hearing how much quicker everyone's labours seem to be 2nd time round! Although one hour is seriously impressive, and a wee bit scary!

I'm a bit worried about being out somewhere with DD when I go into labour though. First time round was 4.5 hours with 2 hours pushing. If the pushing will be less this time round, like everyone says it will (my midwife said it will be 15 minutes tops! I said I'd like that in writing!!!), then I could be looking at about 2 hours. And my contractions were full on right from the start last time so if I'm out somewhere I won't be able to drive myself home or to Birthcare So I'm hoping this time round I might have some more warnings!

Come back and let us know WestiesGirl how you get on!! All the best for another speedy labour

4 births 1st I had alot of bh and show for about a week BH just got stronger and became real labour, was longish 13hrs but he was posterior. that was 38wks 7lb2oz

2nd I had BH and show a few days b4 i had been for an induction assesment and knew i was 3cm, at 2am at 11day overdue after only a few BH early that night I jumped out of bed labour had just started full blown went straight to hospital(5mins away) and he was born b4 3am. 41wks 4days 8lb8oz

3rd was 3wks of BH and no show at all, labour was a bit longer but alot of it seemed to be before i had started dilating, went to hospital at 2:30am was only 2cm went home an hr later went back and was 7cm but he had his head slightly wrong position hence the contractions that werent doing much. his labour was still only 3-5hrs total including the nonsnece. that was 40wks 2days 6lb14oz

4th i had no bulid up and no show, I woke up not in labour 1:45am to go toilet, 2:30am I was in labour heading to hospital and he was born 4:15am, there was no build up at all, was booked to be induced same day exactly 42wks. 9lb5oz

I worry how quick #2 will as with #1 I was induced so was on monitor with no contractors, 2 hours 21 minutes later I had DS.

I also had full on contractions right from the start. I think the hospital midwife thought I was exaggerating when I couldn't speak after a few minutes.

I would hate to have to go through a 16hour + labour now, so hope this one is quick

Holy dooley Babe I wouldnt be going back to her either!!

I know you can never tell how it will start, but Im more worried about being in labour and not knowing, if that makes sense. Contractions with DS were fast and painful right from the start so Im kinda relying on that, or waters breaking, as my sign of labour.

Mine were different. With DD labour started by hind waters breaking and a few light contractions, then nothing really happened till the next day, 16hrs after hind water breaking, the Dr broke the front water membrane which kicked off labour and she was born 3.5hrs later. She was head down and in an LOL position, and 14mins of pushing.

With DS my water fully broke at 1am, labour properly started at 3:30am and he was born at 5:04am so 4hrs from water breaking, 1.5hrs established labour. Oh but as for positions, according to my notes at my last appt he was head down and LOA but he came out bum-first and posterior lol, so COMPLETELY different position to DD! Still had a faster labour though, but 15mins pushing.

ETA, gestations were different too. DD was 36w5d and DS was 39w2d

Edited by rachelsea

I'll be interested in #2 birth for me too tyrbear as was induced with first as well. With #1 waters broke on a wed but nothing happened so on fri started on synto drip at 1030am and he was born 1.50pm, about 2.5 hours from 3cm to delivering placenta BUT seeing as I was induced I wonder if this time if I go on my own will it be faster or not??? Hmm we ll find out in a few months

Mine were about the same... Mild niggles the day before (following sweeps) to give me warning and then muddle of the night really starting. About 6 hrs of established labour for both.

DS my waters broke about 2.5hrs before he was born and was pushing for about 20 mins. Born at 41+3

DD the waters broke on first strong push and she was born on 3rd push so under 5mins. Born at 40+2

Goodness knows what this baby is going to do when she finally decides to arrive!! fingers crossed for fast but enough time to fill the pool lol