Re: one rapid laber=another?

Posted By GiGi on April 30, 1999 at 12:49:51
Thank you for answering my question:
I am currently pregnant with my third
child. My first two (uncomplictated, vaginal, unmedicated)
labors happened very quickly. In both labors, I started
with strong contractions about 5-7 minutes apart
and my children were born within three hours of the first contraction.
I was younger then (20 and 21) but I'm only 28 and still in
good shape, although not as athletically fit as I was.
My question is since my "history" is one of quick labors, should
I expect the same this time? I know there's no way to predict,
but I haven't read too much about this and am curious what your
experience has been with laboring times in subsequent pregnancies.
Thanks again!
GiGi
13weeks

[Kate__0]

Posted By Kate on May 02, 1999 at 16:15:24
Dear GiGi,
I am a childbirth educator in the UK. I teach antenatal classes to couples or women on their own.  I am also a registered nurse, specialised in sick children and neotnatal intensive care.  I have two children aged 7 and 4.
In my experience, it will follow that if you have a history of "normal", speedy labors, then it is fair to expect the same for your 3rd baby.  Of course, this is if all things are equal, which of course in obstetrics they never are!
There are things that can effect this pregnancy, such as the position of the baby in the womb at the time labour starts. For example, this next baby might prefer a breech presentation.  Obviously this has implicaations for birth.  If your labors are uncomplicated, it is likely that you have a good shaped pelvis and the baby fits easily through.  This should mean that the baby adopts a favourable position in the uterus and therefore birth should be uncomplicated.
If this third baby is with a new partner, then it must be treated as your first pregnancy.  I know that it sounds weird, you would expect that your body would be the same, but the research indicates that babies with the same mother but different fathers, should be treated as primips.
If you want any more information about optimal fetal positioning, email me.  If not, I hope it all goes well and perhaps you would let me know the outcome.
Oh, I nearly forgot the most important thing I wanted to tell you!  As subsequent labours USUALLY get quicker, your next labour might be shorter than 3 hours.  Have you considered home birth?  Also, many women find a short labour quite shocking.  There are things you can do for yourself if you need to slow laour down a little, for expample, you might be in th car on the way to hospital and get the urge to push or something!  Email me for details!
Kate

[GiGi__0]

Posted By GiGi on May 07, 1999 at 10:55:38
Thank you Kate - I especially appreciated the info about different fathers.
This baby does have a diiferent father than my first two.
I had never read/heard that before (nor has my OB mentioned it...hmm)
but it does seem to make sense.
My first two children were small (around 7 lbs) and the father
wasn't a big guy. My husband, on the other hand is over 6 feet
tall and has a large frame - I'm expecting to have a larger baby
this time! (we both weighed over 8lbs at birth)
I have considered home birth - in that I really hope I don't have one!
Not that it would be the end of the world, I would just like to make it to the hospital in time. A big fear of mine is that I'll go into labor and my hubby won't make it in time - I so want him to be there, both for me and for
our baby.
I plan to raise my concerns with my OB at each appointment - not that I want to
stress about it, but it is certainly a legitimate worry, I feel.
Thank you so much for your input!
:)
GiGi










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