To those who have given birth more than once..

[belle254]

Can I ask whether your second labour was distinctly quicker than the first?
My labour with Evie was 5.5 hours start to finish, I was one of the lucky ones. Just worrying about how fast this next one is going to be, and whether various people will have time to get there (I'm planning another home birth.)
Any exp would be helpful xx

 

[RedButterfly]

I gave birth 3 weeks ago today. My first labour was 4 hours and 8 mins long. My second was 2 hours and 12 mins long.

 

[Mapleroo]

My first was about 24 hours and the second was 3 hours and supposed to be a planned c-section. (my first is brain damaged-not necessarily because of the birth, Dr's just wanted to err on the side of caution). I had her on the table as the anesthetist was prepping me for my anesthesia 3 weeks before her due date.

 

[marchsammy]

First was 28 hours
Second 9 hours

 

[belle254]

Oh wow thanks for the experiences! X

 

[mum22ttc#3]

My first was 3 hours 40 minutes, 2nd was 3 hours 20 minutes and 3rd was 3 hours 10 minutes.

 

[aimee-lou]

First labour 43 hours complete - 16 hours active
2nd labour - 3 days slow labour - 5.5 hours active

 

[Guppy051708]

My labora always take hours upon hours to start after my water breaks. It seems to always break first. But my second labor, I went from 4cm to placenta in about an hr and 15 min. It was 31.5 hours after my water broke but labor just didn't start for a long time (no intervention, it was a Water HB) With my first my water broke and I had contractions every 3-4 min from the start but it still lasted 30 hrs and it was grulsome (he was face up). No intervention, hospital water birth) So to answer ur question, yes my active labor was significantly faster second time around. Even the MWs thought it was crazy. I'm hoping my waters stay enact for once bc I feel that early labor wouldn't take forever and would be less painful if that didn't always happen before labor actually starts

 

[little_lady]

First labour was 36 hours total, 15 hours active
Second labour was 11 hours total, 10 active.

 

[Bec27]

My first labour was 17 and 1/2 hours long and my second labour was 6 hours 47mins (but could have been a bit shorter as I hung on till after midnight to push so LO could have a certain birth date!)

 

[dan-o]

1st baby (induced with pessary) approx 4 hours active labour, back to back presentation.

This baby (natural labour) approx 3 hours active labour, normal presentation.

Both were classed as precipitate as I went from 5/6- fully dilated in about an hour both times!

 

[kezziek]

First labour was 21 hours and second labour was 6 hours although had been having stop/start contractions for about 12 hrs before that. Hopefully your body will give you enough warning. X

 

[Chellxx]

My first was 8 hrs start to finish, 2nd was 19 minutes!

 

[Eleanor ace]

My first was 8 hrs start to finish, 2nd was 19 minutes!

Oh my word !

 

[smileyfaces]

1st was 3 hours (ish) active labour (from 4cm to birth) and 2nd was 2 and a half hours (ish) from 4cm to birth so not a massive difference. However, I did find that getting from 0-4 cm was much more painful with my first for some reason but took much longer with my second! Haha!

 

[ayh78]

Mine were about the same length, but quite different.

First labour - 8 hours from first contraction to birth. Contractions started 5-10 mins apart and gradually intensified. Water broke shortly before I started pushing (1hr 10). I was already 7cm when I got to hospital, so I guesstimate active labour at 5-6 hours.

Second labour - About 9 hours. Waters broke first, contractions started about an hour later. Things were a bit stop-start and easy enough to deal with until about 45 minutes before birth (!). Pushing stage was logged as 6 minutes. I was 5cm 3 hours before birth, so active labour was probably 3-4 hours.

Both babies were water births, the second one was much easier though. I didn't even have to push (my body did all that for me!) and I didn't really get the ring of fire this time (definitely got it the first time).

 

[Blah11]

15 hours since waters but 12 with contractions with first and with second about 6 hours

 

[Eleanor ace]

2nd was slightly longer, but I stalled at 8cm for a while.

 

[Maria1234]

First was 28hours very long with induction as I had PE
Second birth which was last Sunday was 4 hours and no time for pain relief

 

[Dragonfly]

Mine was induction first time and ended badly but was about 9 hours till emergency c section.
Second was natural labour, was in labour all day but didnt know, proper labour for about 5 hours.

I hope it works like that where its less time as next time I will have it better I hope.