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thread: 3rd pregnancy, should I expect a quick labour?

  1. #1
    Registered User

    Jul 2006
    Logan
    2,991

    3rd pregnancy, should I expect a quick labour?

    If I had a dollar for everytime someone has told me that I best to the hospital quickly with this baby I'd be rich.

    My first DD was born after 7 hours of active labour, DD2 was born within 3 hours. Should I be betting on a quick labour this time around?

    I am kinda freeked out a bit because DH now works 1 hour away and we have moved further away from the hospital.

  2. #2
    Registered User

    Jan 2008
    Country Victoria
    1,991

    I have no personal experience however, my SIL 's first DD was a labour of 5 hours, she has just birthed my nephew and the labour was 1 and a half hour.

    Not sure if this much help.

    Deanne.

  3. #3
    Registered User

    Mar 2007
    Paradise
    4,473

    Every baby is different and every labour is different. Many 2nd, 3rd ect babies do came faster that their older siblings because your body knows what to do, but there are guarantees. My second took 20 minutes longer than my 1st, but she was posterior. We have estimated approximately 3 hours for DD3, but won't know for sure until it happens. Just make sure there is someone clse by that can rush you there if need be.

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Feb 2008
    Country Victoria
    5,945

    Expect the un - expected. Saying u will have a quicker labour is like saying u will win the lottery, really no one knows, except ur bub.

  5. #5
    Registered User

    Jul 2006
    6,869

    My 3rd was by far the quickest (3 hours 30 mins)

    #1 was 10 hours 25 mins
    #2 was 6 hours 14 mins

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Feb 2007
    ACT
    681

    I was induced with all mine so not sure if that makes a difference.

    1st 171/2 hours active labour,
    2nd 3hrs 45min active labour
    3rd 3hrs 30 min active labour.

  7. #7
    Registered User

    Feb 2009
    2,031

    The Actual labour does get quicker. 3 hours still has a lot of scope.

    To give you an idea of how much, my sisters 1st labour was 30 minutes. Its called Premiate labour. Her next was about 20, and with the 3rd baby she got to the hospital (10 minutes away) sat down on the bed and had the baby.

    She has not made it to the hospital since.

    Yes - I am horribly jealous because she doesn't even get warning! They call it worrisome - I call it lucky!

  8. #8
    Registered User
    Add ~clover~ on Facebook

    Sep 2007
    travelling
    9,557

    DD1 - 18.5 hours
    DD2 - 20 hours pre labour, 10 hours full on.
    DS - 5 hours flat! DH was 2 hours away & got there about an hour before he was born.

    More than likely it'll be quicker, just hope you have some warning signs

  9. #9
    Registered User

    Jul 2006
    Logan
    2,991

    I did get warning signs with DD2 so I am praying I get similar signs this time.

    I don't mind if I don't make it to the hospital but I would DH to be here.

  10. #10
    Registered User

    Apr 2008
    Sydney,NSW.
    480

    Hi Bek,

    My first two labours were quick,
    ds 1- 3 hours
    ds 2-1.5 hours
    but my DD was our 3rd & came 6.5 hours later,so i really do agree bubs will come when they want to,lol.

  11. #11
    Registered User

    Mar 2005
    Sydney, NSW
    3,352

    Im in the same position!! Number one was 12 hours, number 2 was under 2 hours and everyone is telling me to get to hospital quick... except my mum who said her number three was longer than number 2!! So I'll let you know how we go, but Im not expecting quicker this time. xo

  12. #12
    BellyBelly Life Subscriber & MPM

    Feb 2007
    Melbourne
    5,462

    I recently read a biography of an experienced midwife and she said that in all her years as a midwife she has concluded:

    1st labours are long
    2nd labours are quicker
    3rd labours are unpredictable

    Doesn't really help does it?! I hope my third labour is quicker, my first was 37 hour and my second was 16 hours.

  13. #13
    Registered User

    Jul 2006
    Logan
    2,991

    I have heard that 3rd labours can throw a curve ball so to speak!!

    Trish - For your sake I hope you have a quicker 3rd labour too!!! Although my 3 hour labour was very full on and the pain was quite bad towards the end.

  14. #14
    Registered User

    Dec 2007
    On the edge of Crazytown
    1,178

    I have been wondering about this too Bekz.

    my first was 13 hours

    my second was 45 minutes... DH didnt make it in time.

    And now for number 3 i live half an hour out of town. I have been reading up on what to do if it all happens to quick and preparing my older daughter with a few ideas of what could be needed.

  15. #15
    BellyBelly Member

    Jun 2005
    Sydney
    2,121

    baby #3 - started having contractions at around 2am, got to hospital at 330am was 7cm dilated, had her at 5.13am....so yeah pretty quick. My 2nd was super quick too (gave birth in emergency dept - no time to make it to the maternity ward, still had my shoes on giving birth). All my labours are quick. Ive been thinking i should camp outside my hossi a few days before my EDD......

    Bec im the same- my DH is a firefighter - therefore could very well be at a call out when i go into labour. I just try and focus on stuff that is in my control - getting the girls minded and getting me to hospital. If i get those two done, then all i can do is hope and pray should DH be working, that he can get away as soon as i call......

  16. #16
    Registered User

    Feb 2009
    2,031

    I recently read a biography of an experienced midwife and she said that in all her years as a midwife she has concluded:

    1st labours are long
    2nd labours are quicker
    3rd labours are unpredictable

    Doesn't really help does it?! I hope my third labour is quicker, my first was 37 hour and my second was 16 hours.
    My 3rd labour was definitely different, but the hospital was more impatient than the last one and AROM too early, lost dialation and had to do it all again. Body was *not* happy.

  17. #17
    Registered User

    Jul 2006
    Logan
    2,991

    Myson - WOW 45 mins. What literature have you been reading? I have been thinking about getting some information about what I need to have ready etc for an emergency birth at home. I wouldn't even know how to cut the cord.

    MBear - Like you I would be happy if I can get the girls sorted and if need be I'll just make my own way to the hospital if DH is delayed.

    Inertia - Excuse my ingorance but what is AROM?

  18. #18
    Registered User

    Feb 2009
    2,031

    Inertia - Excuse my ingorance but what is AROM?
    Artificial rupture of membranes. Breaking my waters.

    I usually let them do it when I get to 8cms dialated because it does make it go quicker at the end. Such as with DD1, the only thing keeping me at 8cms was my membranes were in tact. As soon as they were ruptured it "let go" and went straight to 10cms. They ruptured them at 8pm and I had her at 8:06. Its part of my "birth plan" that they dont AROM unless I have "stalled at 8cms". With Lyta they decided 7cms was far enough and I closed back to 5cms. That was at midnight. I had her at 8:26am - 4 and a half hours after they decided I had stalled and told me to "get some sleep".

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