Quick labour?

[kumber]

Posting this across two sections in the hopes that it's seen more.

I'm a bit worried about the potential length of this labour. First labour was 13 hours, start to finish. Second labour was 3.5 hours, start to finish.

Second labour was induced but as far as I understand it, your body does subsequently shorter labours regardless of how the labour was started, as it still has the muscle memory.

I'm worried that this will be an ambulance job, and how long to leave it before I try and go in. The mws at this hospital have a habit of not listening and putting mothers off going in until the last possible moment (most likely because they're horrendously understaffed), so I'm not really sure what to do.

I'll talk to my community mw at my appointment next week but would really appreciate your advice too.

 

[Emily0505]

My daughter was born 8 days ago and the recorded time for my labour on the paperwork is 1hr37minutes! This includes 25minutes to deliver the placenta!!

I was 3cm dilated at midday, waters went at 12.55, arrived at hospital at 14.10, baby delivered at 14.12!

Based on that, if I were to have any more babies we're not!) I'd head to the hospital after my first contraction! Lol!!

Another point for me is that my contractions never got regular or lasted for more than 30-40 seconds so I didn't think I was that close to birthing. Obviously I was!

If you feel you want or need to go in, then just call them and tell them you feel you need to come in as you've had quick labours before and you're on your way. Don't accept no for an answer basically!

XX

 

[Lolie14]

With my first, I was 5cm dilated an hour after my first contraction and she was born within 5 hours so like yourself I'm hoping not to be caught short second time around. I asked my mw what the likelihood of a very quick labour would be and she said I'm more likely than a lady who hadn't had a quick first labour, but... I could also have a very long labour... So no real help, sorry!

 

[Eryinera]

My first was a 24 hr labour my second ended up being 48hrs long so it doesn't always go faster! I ended up needing the drip to deed this one up due to the labour not progressing and risk of infection as my waters had been broken for so long.

 

[Belfa]

I've got a fear of this too. First labour was 4hrs with only 10min of pushing so I can see me being tempted to call an ambulance if I'm in the house alone. Or now that I have a toddler to contend with too, what if it happens in the middle of the night and my parents have to come to look after him, that will take ages!'

 

[kumber]

Thanks ladies, it's good to know I'm not alone in this fear. I worry about my toddlers too, my mom works all over the UK so no guarantee she would be at home 10 mins away when I go into labour and there's no one else that can have the boys except their granddad who lives a half hour away. Neither are much help! Hubby doesn't drive either, so I'm thinking an ambulance is the best way for us to go, which seems extreme but I have no one else that could take me!

 

[Rose83]

I have the same fear Kumber! The relative taking my two toddlers lives 40 mins away and we are 30 mins from hospital in another direction so we could end up having to wake the kids and take them to hospital with us just in case! I'm terrified of not getting there in time for en epidural - no way am I pushing another baby that could be over the 10lb my son was with no epidural lol! I was 18 hours with my first then delivered with forceps. Then second baby I had two induction pessaries: the first time I felt contractions I was examined after half an hour and was 5cm but didn't deliver for another 4 hours and had my waters broken by the midwives so it wasn't that fast but still pretty quick and they were worried they weren't going to get the epidural in. My sister in law was 3 days with her first and absolutely no lie was 5 minutes with her second! X

 

[kumber]

I can see hubby delivering this baby in the living room

 

[DeeDeeAbi]

I'm the same. First labour- waters broke at 8:45pm, no contractions until 10:15pm...baby here by 1:30am. Panicking I'll be having it at home, and what if the midwives when you ring say not to come yet if only first contraction?? My husband might be having to catch it, ha!!

 

[kumber]

That's my worry too!! I think I'm going to keep aside some clean towels and maybe put together a pack of bits that can be quickly sterilised so we have everything ready in case hubby needs to deliver

 

[SoGentleNWild]

DS was 42 hours of intermittent contractions at home, 3 hours in hospital.

DD was sweep at 8 am, got home, had regular contractions by 2 pm, went to hospital at 4cm, was at 6cm by 3pm, took a short nap and delivered her at 5:32 pm.

I do not want a repeat of DS.

 

[mylullaby]

That's my worry too!! I think I'm going to keep aside some clean towels and maybe put together a pack of bits that can be quickly sterilised so we have everything ready in case hubby needs to deliver

Would you consider a home birth? Obviously if you're so worried about this that you're thinking about sterilising stuff in case hubby ends up delivering, you're fairly serious that it's a possibility. Wouldn't it be better to plan for an actual home birth so you're more likely to have the professionals on hand when you need them?

Not saying home births are for everyone of course and I know you'd still have to think about someone taking care of your older kids, but you have done it before and you might feel less anxious this way? Might be worth having a think about. Xx

 

[kumber]

I'm under consultant care so I wouldn't be allowed one, and I have cats so would feel it's a hygiene risk so that's a no go for unfortunately.

 

[DeeDeeAbi]

I'm same Kumber, likely to have GD again so likely to be consultant led so no HB. First twinge I get I'm off in, I'm not even going to ring ahead in case they try fob me off! Ha

 

[knopk@]

I'm under consultant care so I wouldn't be allowed one, and I have cats so would feel it's a hygiene risk so that's a no go for unfortunately.

Nobody can tell you that you are not allowed one btw. It depends on why you are consultant led (ie previous PPH etc) but a lot of the time a homebirth is a safer option.
Depends on your indovudual situation.
No hygene risk in terms of cats unless you dont clean up after them and there are faeves everywhere

 

[kumber]

Thanks knopk, I'll certainly think about it