Just looking to read other mom experiences. :) Read recent posts where moms are asking about old wives tales. I plan on having a third, and it got me wondering. Wondering if labor from the first pregnancy is the hardest for most? Some people tell me that labor went faster, was less painful and easier after number one or two. One mommy friend of mine said that labor with number three was so quick that she almost had it in the car. I understand that everyone is different, so I thought this question would be fun to read all the intresting responses :) Thank you !
I have three. All girls. All three labors exactly the same. Pushing was the hardest with the first. Second and third were born at home and I only pushed for about 10 minutes with each. First 2 were 7lbs 9oz and third was 7lbs 15oz.
I was deluded with this notion as well. The 1st took 18 hours, the 2nd took 14 hours, the 3rd (induced 3 weeks early) took 17.5 hours, the pain meds weren't working and I swore I'd never do it again. Now I'm looking at my hubby like "wouldn't you want another one?" hehe. Not to scare you off, but each of my pregnancies got harder, too. My morning sickness was progressively worse and my body felt like it was falling apart. It may be because I'm pushing 40 and getting older sucks (now I know why 20 yo's have babies!)
Good luck!
You are right, everyone is different.
My first, almost 21 years ago was 17 hours of horrible labor. But as it turns out, I had a bad infection that they never figured out where I got it. So not only was I really sick but he was trying to com out face down and kept getting stuck on my tailbone. They had me completely prepped for a c-section if they couldn't get him turned and out with forceps.
Second one, now almost 17 years ago was a breeze. My water broke at home and she was born just about 3 1/2 hours later. And I progressed very quickly. I do remember saying that if we had a third I'd have to hurry to the hospital.
#1: 19.5 hours (induced labor), HORRIBLE contractions, 3 hours of pushing. Miserable, miserable, miserable, and the recovery was gosh awful!
#2: Just under two hours after having my water broken. Very fast, one push, natural delivery. Easy, easy recovery.
#3: Woke up at 11:30 with a really bad contraction. Got up, realized I was in labor. Had the baby 45 minutes later (after barely getting to the hospital in time). Not as easy as number 2 but I chalk it up to stress. I was totally freaked out that we wouldn't make it on time. Plus it was in the middle of a "baby boom" in town so we barely got a room...boy, giving birth in the hospital hallway...what fun! But it was definitely the fastest labor and the only to come on her own.
My first active labor was 6 hours, my second was 30 minutes. Im afraid that if i had another i would have her in the car!
My experience may be that way based on the fact that i had two very different birth plans. With my first daughter i had an epidural, with my second nothing at all. This could account for the gap in time, but i suppose it could also be the 1st birth is longer shpiel. It could also just be luck.
Honestly i think that being able to feel everything the second time helped me deliver faster and more efficiently. But that is just my hypothesis.
First was super easy for me, small baby, second took twice as long but still on 7 hrs but he had big, very, very BIG shoulders and got stuck still delivered vaginally. Third was the same amount of time as first but felt a lot less stressful and was 1.5 lbs heavier then first.
Every labor is different. I think this could only apply potentially to people who have a dozen children or more-- :) Labor is hard work--thats why they call it labor!
JMO
M
My first two were induced labors (I wouldn't do that again, unless absolutely necessary). First one 21 hours of labor. Second 5. The third came on his own. I went from 3 cm to holding him in my arms in 30 minutes. I had been laboring for some time, but when we got to the hospital they told me I wasn't in labor. We walked around the hospital some. They checked me again: no change-only 3cm. They started talking about maybe having me take a shower, etc. The nurse checked me again and panicked. Said, "Let me go get someone who has done this before!" She grabbed another nurse (there were no OBs in the hospital (military hospital)), who had "done this" a few times. I asked them if I could push, and they said that technically I could, but... and out he came, in his bag of waters! My water never broke. I *knew* I was in labor! LOL My next one was about 6 hours of labor, the one after that similar, and the 6th was a slower all day sort of affair. So, you just never know if it will go faster or slower with each one!
I've had 4 and each labor was faster but not easier!
mine were fast, 4 hrs on first, 1 hr 40 mins on 2nd. Dr. said if I had another one i'd have to plan to be induced. No medication for either : )
#1 was 2.5 hrs and #2 was barely 1.5 hrs. They got faster with each of my mom's 3 too!
It depends on whether your husband is interested and enthusiastic about having the third baby. It also depends on your physical health. Labor can be difficult in any pregnancy if the baby is transverse, breech or much heavier than previous babies.
That all said most third deliveries are a piece of cake for Mom, baby and midwife.
Both of mine were very fast. Number one was 2.5 hrs and number two was the time it took to get to the hospital and was delivered in the er
Umm....I have five and I am sorry to report that number five took 20 hours of contractions before he graced us with his arrival. All of my labors were long, but pushing phase short - maybe 15 minutes (I like to think that I was so tired of being in labor and this was one thing I could at least try to control!) :)
I wouldn't say mine two were any faster. But the pain difference was night and day. I couldn't really tell with my 2nd if I was really in labor. In fact, almost had my hubby turn around and go back home. Glad I didn't, I checked in at 7.5 cm--and as the nurse said "a 7 and still smiling???". I would even beg to differ that my normal menstrual cramps were worse than my seconds initial labor pains. I don't know about the last 2 cms or pushing because I had an epidural, but the actual labor seems horribly easier. The recovery from my first was just as easy..
But than again, my first was sunny side up-and stuck, back labor is horrible and no fun. Good Luck hope your 2nd turns out to be an easier experience for you too! I actually know of 2 moms that birthed their 2nd in the car. The nurses said that is very unheard of even though people seem to think it happens more often than not :)
