Anyone have precipitous (fast) labors

xnbride

Does anyone have precipitous labors (labor lasting less then 3 hours)?  What are you doing this time to prevent from giving birth in the bathroom or the side of the road.

After my last delivery the L&D nurse said that my DH should learn about emergency births if we ever had anymore because of how quickly everything progressed. So now I am nervous. I also go into labor early (around 38 weeks) so even if I was interested in an induction, it would be out of the question. I am also GBS+ and have never been in labor long enough for them to administer a full round of antibiotics.

Well as you can see I am nervous. I would love to hear from others about the ways they are going to approach this and any advice you have or stories to share.

iris427

I think there are guides to emergency childbirth that you can get.  I'd have one of those on hand and familiarize yourself and your husband with how to handle common complications/emergencies like shoulder dystocia or a baby not breathing at birth.  

How far are you from the hospital?  

Mrs.Greeko

My first labor was 4 hours, second was 2.5 hours and my birth center is 40 minutes away with no traffic and no snow. This has been a very real concern of mine! My midwives said it isn't moms who've had precipitous labors who deliver at home or in the car, it's the moms who had long labors and wait too long to go anywhere because they think they have plenty of time. Makes sense. We know to get a move on at my first real contraction. No waiting for 5-1-1 or anything. Waiting an hour for me would be pretty dumb. DH also has read the stuff about emergency childbirth just in case. And the car is packed with stuff for emergency childbirth just in case, towels, blankets, etc.

xnbride

We are pretty close to the hospital. I would say that it took us about 7 minutes to get there last time. the only complication is that we have the two boys and our childcare lives over an hour away. Last time they did let DS1 come into the room with us but had to leave asap when my parents arrived just in time.

Thanks Mrs.Greeko-that sounds like good advice. Did you buy an emergency childbirth kit or just recreate one? I would love to know more about the specifics. Is there a particular book or website you recommend?

Texas77again

congrats XN!! 

typically the babies that come that fast don't have complications.  while that isn't always the case it is typical.  when i worked at a birth center in El Paso, we would get car births frequently.  each time the baby was fine and a few times the mom was already BFing with the placenta still in...lol.

i would second the advice about dh learning how to deliver a baby.  you can always call 911 for help, they will often talk you/dh through the steps.  if the baby is coming that fast it's not really hard.  just have him support the head and let the baby do the work.  vigorously rub the back if the baby comes out not breathing.  no need to cut the cord, just leave it until help arrives, if you cut it and don't have baby's side clamped the baby can lose a lot of blood.  plenty of times i didn't cut the cord until after the placenta was delivered.  have warm blankets and a baby hat handy. 

given your history you should probably plan to go to the hosp at the first sign of labor.  since you live so close to the hosp, i doubt you would deliver in under 10 mins from the first sign.  odd number babies tend to be different.  it's somewhat based off of anecdotal stories, but i know more than a few mw's who think it.  this is your third delivery, right?  it might be different than the others. 

 

xnbride

Texas77again:

congrats XN!! 

typically the babies that come that fast don't have complications.  while that isn't always the case it is typical.  when i worked at a birth center in El Paso, we would get car births frequently.  each time the baby was fine and a few times the mom was already BFing with the placenta still in...lol.

i would second the advice about dh learning how to deliver a baby.  you can always call 911 for help, they will often talk you/dh through the steps.  if the baby is coming that fast it's not really hard.  just have him support the head and let the baby do the work.  vigorously rub the back if the baby comes out not breathing.  no need to cut the cord, just leave it until help arrives, if you cut it and don't have baby's side clamped the baby can lose a lot of blood.  plenty of times i didn't cut the cord until after the placenta was delivered.  have warm blankets and a baby hat handy. 

given your history you should probably plan to go to the hosp at the first sign of labor.  since you live so close to the hosp, i doubt you would deliver in under 10 mins from the first sign.  odd number babies tend to be different.  it's somewhat based off of anecdotal stories, but i know more than a few mw's who think it.  this is your third delivery, right?  it might be different than the others. 

 

Thanks Texas. I have been wondering how you have been doing.

You know it is so interesting that you say that about the 3rd delivery because I just have a feeling that it will be different this time. Not sure how though. Both of the boys were born 10 days early but I just have a feeling that this one will come either on its due date or the day after. I just hope that the labor goes smoothly and complication free.

Thank you for all your helpful info. I really appreciate it!

frostnoel

From what I have read, it sounds like GBS is most likely to cause problems if you have a fever or prolonged ruptured membranes.  If your water breaks, your OB/MW will want you to come in immediately for antibiotics.  If your labor isn't long enough, they might keep you and LO longer to make sure baby is ok.

 

cecilyandgautam

My Bradley instructor had a printout on emergency births and What to Expect When You're Expecting has a nice 1-pager. If you don't want to buy it, you can probably find it at your local library and make a few copies of that page to keep on your fridge, in the car, and in your purse. Bascially, you want to have a stash of clean towels ready to go at home & in your car and you want your husband to feel ready & willing to catch the baby. If you're not able to get out the door or you end up delivering in the car or the midwives can't get to you in time, I'd call 911 - EMTs have basic training on emergency delivery and can get to you faster than you might be able to get yourself to the hospital. Chances are you won't need them but it'd be nice to have them there in case the baby needs resusitation or you need fluids; probably the most useful thing they'll do is cut the cord with something sterile when you're ready.

My mom had several precipitous labors & this is my first so I don't know if the same will happen with me but I've been reading up on emergency procedures just in case because I'm also a bit nervous about accidently having an unassisted birth.

Oh, and also chux pads - if you want to get a stack & keep half at home, half in your car, they could come in handy. I ordered a bunch last week.  

MawrtyrB

We have concerns. When I showed up at the hospital for #1 they said I was 0 cm dilated and wanted to send me home. I delivered within 3 hours.

Partially based on that, they induced my twins so I could deliver at the small hospital 40 min away that was natural friendly becuase they wouldn't have enough staff on hand to do a legit twin delivery otherwise. But time also seriously played into this decision. It was 3 hours from when they broke my water that I delivered the twins. The first one literally popped out not 1 minute after the midwife had checked me and declared me only 8 cm. I wasn't in the delivery room and no one caught the little guy

So this time around, I'm under strict orders to get my butt down to the hospital ASAP. No Laboring at home. DH is a certified EMT and firefighter but he definately does not want to catch my baby. Look at it this way. From the way I understand it, if they come that fast, it pretty much just happens on it's own. Not much you or anyone else can do other than catch.

Blackvelvet

I was a little longer then that but they weren't sure I was in labor when I got to the hospita but I was grumpyl.  I was at 4cm but had been since earlier in the week I went from 4cm to baby in less then 2 hours.  I'm going to trust my husabnd again that when he says it's time to go it is we also live about 15 min from the hospital this time and not 45 that should help.  If in doubt I will just go in.