My labor/birth was super fast with my first baby. I felt my first contraction at 8:30 a.m. and the baby was born at 3:30. I barely made it to the birth center and was in active labor in the car (really, really not fun!). Everything I've read says that second births tend to be faster than first births and I'm wondering if any of you have had that experience? I'm pregnant with my second baby and wondering if I should plan to head to the birth center as soon as I start feeling contractions, or take my time?
I'm freaking out a little bit so any advice is welcome here!
Go with your gut. My first labor was 5 hours from water breaking to baby. My second was 14 hours from water breaking to baby. (My water breaking started labor birth time.). So it's not always the case that the second is faster.
B born 7/15/13, C born 3/2/15, #3 on the way May '17
I’m a modern man, a man for the millennium. Digital and smoke free. A diversified multi-cultural, post-modern deconstruction that is anatomically and ecologically incorrect. I’ve been up linked and downloaded, I’ve been inputted and outsourced, I know the upside of downsizing, I know the downside of upgrading. I’m a high-tech low-life. A cutting edge, state-of-the-art bi-coastal multi-tasker and I can give you a gigabyte in a nanosecond! I’m new wave, but I’m old school and my inner child is outward bound. I’m a hot-wired, heat seeking, warm-hearted cool customer, voice activated and bio-degradable. I interface with my database, my database is in cyberspace, so I’m interactive, I’m hyperactive and from time to time I’m radioactive.
My first labor was pretty fast, about the same as yours. And my second was very quick (less than an hour and forty-five minutes). My water broke about an hour and 15 into that and the last 30 minutes was literally speeding to the hospital, kegeling to hold the baby in, my doula's hand on the baby's head. It was really intense, and nothing I was prepared for. Certainly no guarantee you'll have a faster one, but I'd make arrangements as if you were (like an emergency car/home bag or something), and if you don't use it, great!
ETA: Proofreading
DS1: Nov. 2013 DS2: Jan. 2016 DS3: Dec. 2017 Baby #4 on the way!
@peregrinefalconx haven't had the baby yet! not due until June 30. I talked to my midwife who said the most important thing it to just be in tune with your body and if you feel like those "real deal" contractions, definitely don't second guess yourself. Wishing you an easy labor and non-car birth!
@sokomo - your sweet baby perhaps has been born! Would love the labor timeline update if you are up to it at some point. I also had a fast first labor, but know every baby and birth is different...
Re: Fast first labor - worried about second one..
B born 7/15/13, C born 3/2/15, #3 on the way May '17
I’m a modern man, a man for the millennium. Digital and smoke free. A diversified multi-cultural, post-modern deconstruction that is anatomically and ecologically incorrect. I’ve been up linked and downloaded, I’ve been inputted and outsourced, I know the upside of downsizing, I know the downside of upgrading. I’m a high-tech low-life. A cutting edge, state-of-the-art bi-coastal multi-tasker and I can give you a gigabyte in a nanosecond! I’m new wave, but I’m old school and my inner child is outward bound. I’m a hot-wired, heat seeking, warm-hearted cool customer, voice activated and bio-degradable. I interface with my database, my database is in cyberspace, so I’m interactive, I’m hyperactive and from time to time I’m radioactive.
ETA: Proofreading
DS2: Jan. 2016
DS3: Dec. 2017
Baby #4 on the way!
I had a fast first as well, and am hoping for a 2 hour second, but preferably not a car birth or anything crazy!
Me: 42, DH: 46, Married: 11/12
Losses: MMC#1 11/12 BO, MC#2 11/13 at 8w BO?, MMC#3 8/14 chromo healthy M @12 weeks, stopped growing at 10.
Negligible AMH, FSH finally went high. Pursued DE.
DD born at 38w2d on 5-27-16. Finally!!
Pregnant again with OE. EDD 11/9/17 Girl!