Just wondering?

[Sterla]

With DS I never went into labour on my own. I had a couple of hours of induced labour before having an emergency c/s. I really don't remember much of the induced labour.

This time I am going through an independent midwife at an independent birth centre and am planning on a vbac.

My question is - because I never went into labour on my own, but this is my second pregnancy, do you think this labour will more like a first time labour, or more like a second time round labour - if that makes sense?

I know, there's probably no way to tell, and no right answer - but I was just wondering?

[onthefly]

With DS I was induced, but had spontaneous labour with DD.
The contractions with DS were much stronger and very painful. DD's labour was a lot longer and more painful, however, not at the front, but at the back because of her funny head angle. I reckon a normal labour with a normally aligned baby would be a piece of cake
Anyway, I think it all depends, which is totally unhelpful for you I know. I remember wondering the same thing before DD was born though.

[Arimeh]

My labour with Eden was classed as a first time labour.

Depends if you think it's your first or second I suppose

[Sterla]

Thanks for the replies . I know, it's one of those questions that doesn't have an answer really, lol.

For myself, I classify this time as being my first labour since I had nothing on my own and didn't get very far with the induced labour.

[Arimeh]

Yeah mate but they gave you stuff all time for your body to even react to what they were doing - what was it - 3 hours or something ridiculous?

[Sterla]

I'm not actually sure - my memory of that night is pretty fuzzy - 2-3 hours is about it I think.

[Arimeh]

Crazy talk. Thank god we're not going to the hospital ay

Are you asking because you think you will have a long labour if it's classed as your first?

[onthefly]

Do you mean you were classed as failure to progress after 3 hours?
At the very least, your body has had a taste of labour. I guess for you it's unchartered territory anyway.

[skybie]

i would class it as ur first labour.
Best of luck hunny, cant wait to hear ur news xxx

[Sterla]

DS was in fetal distress (due to being induced I have no doubt!), so had an emergency c/s.

Mel, don't know why I'm asking really, lol - I guess because I've often heard second+ labours are quicker and more efficient (not always the case of course). But really, the small amount of induced labour I had barely counts, so I guess it will be more like a first time labour. And yes - thank goodness we're not going through the hospital .

[Beach Mama]

Do you know how dilated you got Sterla? The cervix has a "memory" as such, so they do say it can be quicker in some ways because it has dilated before - having said that, as we all know there are exceptions to every rule. I would think first labour - which could be fast, medium or slow darls and how exciting! Not long to go! I always remembered the quote that you are planning a birth. Not a vbac but essentially it is a birth just like any other. Helped me when I was 2 weeks overdue waiting for him to come out! xoxox

[Sterla]

No idea how dilated I got - I do know that my cervix wasn't ripe at all, so probably not much. DS really wasn't ready to come out yet!

[Beach Mama]

Same with me hun. Hence the 36 hour labour ending in c/s Hooray for VBAC! Don't stress too much about the what if's darl. Bub will come when they are ready, your body is made to do this - regardless of what has been before, and your story and the birth will be different to any other and may or may not be textbook xoxo

[berrme]

With my vbac I was classed as a first labour. I was induced with my first for PE and was taken off to surgery when my bp got uncontrollable. I was told that unless you get past 4cm then the first labour really can't be counted as your cervix really didn't get a chance to dilate much at all. My cervix was at about 3cm at my VE before being prepped for my c/s so may or may not have gotten past 4cm.
If it helps, my vbac labour was really very 'easy' until I got past about 8cm, and was only 9 1/2 hours from my first contraction to holding my bub. Not too bad for a first labour. You never know what you will get with any labour so just try to stay positive.

[Heaven]

I think my m/w said that if you got past 5cms last time it's like a second labour but if you didn't get that far it's like a first.

Don't worry, your body will do exactly what it's meant to. So excited for you!

[Sterla]

Thanks for all your replies . I'd say that this will definitely be classed as first time labour then - mentally, it certainly feels like my first time.

I know this will be a vbac, but it doesn't even feel like that as such - it just feels like getting ready for my first birth (for the second time, lol).

[Heaven]

I know this will be a vbac, but it doesn't even feel like that as such - it just feels like getting ready for my first birth (for the second time, lol).

Perfect! That's how I tried to think of it. Just like I was any other person having a VB for the first time.

[Danielle_NZ]

I was induced with Hayden on my due date... failed and went on to have c-section
Planned c-section with Ethan and my waters broke three days prior to booked in date