The 5-1-1 sounds like about the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard of. My induction took three days with my daughter. 5-1-1 is nothing. I hope to labor at home as long a possible, then show up transition-ish. I am not willing to hire a doula, because I had a really bad experience with a doula during my first birth. I should have spent the money on a nice stroller or something. How will I know it is time?
Re: How long to labor at home for a second baby? I was induced with my first.
Elizabeth 5yrs old Jane 3yrs old
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My Ovulation Chart
I agree no 5-1-1 for me either. They say the 2nd is generally half the time of the 1st, so maybe 1.5 days for you? Of course could be completely different - e.g. spontaneous labor vs induction. My 1st was 6 hrs hard labor - water broke, I had 2 contractions 20 min apart and then went to 20-30 second contractions 1-2 mins apart (skipped 5-1?) - went to hospital delivered 5 hrs later. With 2nd it was 3 hrs hard labor - I didn't realize I was in active labor b/c contractions were light and irregular (no 5-1?). I happened to have a m/w appt and she sent me to L&D - an hour later my water broke and I delivered two hrs later. Similarly my friend didn't realize she was in labor with her 2nd and inadvertently delivered at home (all was well). My BFF at work took 3 days with her 1st, but the 2nd (9 lbs!) was under six hrs. I don't know if induction or meds might have made the difference. Congrats on your pg; GL with birth!!
Unexplained IF/RPL
TTC#1 2003 BFNs, 2004-2009 5 angels above
2010 IVF-PGS-FET#1, DD b. Aug-2011
TTC#2 2012 BFNs, 2013 FET#2, DS b. Nov-2013
TTC#3 2015 BFNs, FET#3 (my 6th and last angel above)
Journey Complete.
With my first child I was way too eager, and headed to the hospital as soon as my contractions were 5-1-1. I ended up laboring in the hospital for 27 hours after that. It was miserable and I just wanted to be home. I regret coming that early...
With my second things moved a lot faster and I didn't jump the gun. When my contractions got to 5-1-1 I called my Mom to let her know that we were packing our bags and would be dropping off my oldest daughter soon. By the time we got to the hospital after all of that, my contractions were about 3 minutes apart and pretty intense. I was checked right into a birthing room and gave birth 2 hours later. It was a much better experience.