Third baby = different labour?

[Cricket]

My midwife has said to me a couple of times now that third babies often differ from the previous two in labour pattern. Has anyone else experienced that? I know each baby can be different, and it depends on how he/she is sitting, etc, but I was unaware of a general "trend" of a longer/different labour with a third baby. (I am hoping not! My first two were relatively easy - 7 hours from first contraction to delivery.) What is your experience?

[Trillian]

My third birth was very different, but mainly because of her position, and an induction after having my waters broke failed to kickstart contractions again. The time was quicker again though. It is often said that 3rd babies are the ones born on the doorstep LOL, still not sure if that's true or not though.

[Trish]

Cricket, my third labour (4th baby and preg) was so much different to the first 2. They were quick labours, first one over in just on 2 and a half hours and the second a posterior bub in around 90 minutes. My third labour - Tehya, was also my VBAC, and I laboured for 10 hours. It was a huge shock to me.

I am praying that this labour is back to being nice and quick, provided my midwife is down here.

[AnyDream]

Ummm, I thought every labour was a different labour...? I've heard midwives say things like that, probably because after two you've thought about all the parallels and patterns (as there are only two to compare) whereas after a third the likelihood of things happening that don't fit those existing patterns increases...just a thought anyway. Interesting thread!

[BellyBelly]

My teacher calls the third baby the baby of mystery LOL

Many third babies shoot out in my experience. Of the third births I have been to, one I missed and the rest I wasn't part of the birth for longer than an hour, they all happened so quick. 15 mins after I got there, 30min, 45.... they have all been that way Have another third coming up early Sept so will camp out in front of the hospital hahah...

[*becstar*]

Interesting thought, I'd just assumed that this third labour would be even quicker yet? Oh golly I'm hoping so! After two easyish births I'm expecting a breezy one third time around!

[Cricket]

Thanks for the replies ladies! I guess I have to remember to be prepared for anything, not just assume that this one will come nicely, as my first two girls have. I'm really hoping that this labour will be short though! I've been kind of spoiled so far.
Trish - I've read your story with Tehya - do you think that the need for an enema really contributed to the length of your labour, or do you think there were other factors, too, that made it take longer?

[Trish]

Cricket, for me personally, I have no doubts, but I wasn't just a little blocked I had compacted bowels. Severely blocked. If I was pushing for several hours that hard and still didn't even poo its got to tell you how hard it was. So for me yes it worked.

Not saying that every woman nees it. Or that every birth needs it. I just know for me, last birth I NEEDED it. Who knows, this birth I might have a clean out prior to labour...

[Lucy]

My third birth was my most wonderful.

Aw Shannon. That gives me happy tears. Bless that little Jess.

My third labour (Lexie) was a lot of pre-labour (like weeks and weeks!) and then FAST!

I was chatting with Kelly at about 9am on MSN, then by 9.55am Lexie was born........we only JUST made it to the hosp in time!

Both the pre-labour and the birth felt different. Blissful, and different.

[BellyBelly]

Trish, I heard a story about someone who had that problem in labour - baby wouldn't come down despite good labour, so they gave her some castor oil and baby shot out.

[Trillian]

Interesting you should mention the full bowel stuff. With my 2nd one she was nearly born on the toilet LOL as the midwife said I had a very full bowel and made me go to the toilet (I was not happy about that at the time ) and once I was done she immediately dropped and I only just made it to the labour ward LOL - she crowned as soon as I got on the bed.

[Trish]

Kelly, I'll take the enema over the castor oil any day. That stuff is horrid

[Trillian]

Trish, I asked for the enema, and they wouldn't give it to me LOL.

[castle]

Cricket, my third was my very best delivery, mostly because he was in a great position (ROA). However, like my previous labours, it was long and slow. I was sooo disappointed about that--I was hoping that I'd have my first exam, find out I was, oh, about 7-8 cm dilated, and then deliver within a couple of hours! Not to be, but nevertheless a wonderful birth. I hope all goes well for you!
The midwives I've chatted with have said opinions are swinging around on enemas. Whilst very far from wishing to force a ritual enema on every woman who walks in, they can be very valuable if a little extra space is needed and the bowels are full. One midwife also said to me that, if a woman is super-concerned (embarrassed) about pooing in labour, she can plan an early labour enema at home or upon arriving at hospital. Then those women feel "free" to labour away. Otherwise they can hold themselves back, literally. Obviously it helps if that issue is raised by late pregnancy! This was interesting to me because in a very old book, Marjorie Karmel's "Thank You, Dr Lamaze", that's what was suggested to the author before her first birth with Dr Lamaze in Paris--late 1950s. She said how much more respectful it was than the then-common practice of giving an enema upon arrival at hospital.

[castle]

Sherie, I was told that if it's late in labour, the enema fluid will gush out with every single contraction! so that's probably why they wouldn't give it to you--??

[Trish]

Ok, I think I may have mixed up the terminology. What I had was called a micro lax or something like that. It was a tiny tube /vial and the tip was broken off and squeezed in my butt. I only held it in there for a couple of minutes but that was all I needed.

Victoria (midwife) is packing it in her bag for sure for this time around