Experience with 2nd labors

[mikaleen]

So my question is this...
For those of you who have experienced the birth of more than one child, how did your subsequent labors go?  Were they faster than the first?  If so by how much?  Were they slower?

I am asking because with my first I was induced at 39 weeks for poor growth.  Everything went well, actually I went from 1 cm dilated to her birth in an hour and 15 minutes, so it was unbelievably fast.  Because of this my Dr. recommends inducing me with this one at 39 weeks.  We did schedule an induction for Dec 1, and she also said if I am dilated more than 2 cm at any appointments before then she would like me to consider being admitted and having my water broken.  The logic behind this is that even though it is not guaranteed, many times labor times after the first child can be cut by as much as half.  I live in a rural area and am 40 minutes away from the hospital.  DH also works an hour away from home, so I could not wait for him regardless, and the Dr. is very concerned that if I drove myself, or had someone close by drive me, there is a real chance I would not make it to the hospital.

I am a little disappointed, as I wanted to go into labor on my own.  I am considering cancelling the induction and taking my chances, but DH really doesn't want me having this baby alone at home, or on the side of the road. (OMG, I would never be able to look my FIL in the face again if he had to deliver this baby!) and I understand his worry, as I don't want to either.  I also am aware that there's the possibility of this labor taking much longer, and having plenty of time to get to the hospital.

[mikaleen]

Thanks everyone!  I dilated from 1to 4 cm without anyone knowing within a half hour, and then another half hour and DD was born at 5 lbs 15 oz.  At my growth U/S this baby girl was estimated in the 35th percentile (which I also am aware can be off) so I expect her to be bigger, but not by too much.  I asked for an epidural, and by the time the anesthesiologist got it in place DD was born 10 minutes later with 3 pushes.  The Dr. had left because he said nothing was going to happen until the next day, and he only made it back after she was crowning.  I'm still torn, and hoping I'll just go into labor on my own before 39 weeks.  

[DMK1981]

Correction to last now! My 3rd pregnancy was 6 lbs. 12oz! LOL

[DMK1981]

1st pregnancy: 12 hours     7lbs. 9oz. Boy
2nd pregnancy: 27 1/2 hours  7lbs. 6oz. Boy
3rd Pregncny: 12 hours   6lbs. 13 oz. Girl
4th Pregnancy:  Unknown yet :)  Boy

* Everyone always told me that my labor would fly by and that has yet to happen! KNOCK ON WOOD, I am pregnant with the 4th. So maybe this one will be a little faster, but not so fast I can't get my epidural! LOL

[mamaofonetrying42]

1st was 38weeks,9hr + 48mins(( induced)) 18mins pushing 5lbs 13oz
2nd was 39weeks, 9hr +44mins((induced)) 3mins pusing 6lbs 10oz

I am counting from the time I got in the room and started with the Pit. I am pregnant with my 3rd and I would like to go on my own this time((i think,lol)). Im hoping it will go by faster!!

[blueeyedtabbycat]

1ST was 6 hours 1day early
2nd was 3 hours  2 weeks early
3rd was 2.5 hours 1.5 weeks early depending on u/s dating
4th was over 2 weeks early water broke somewhere around 1.30 am had her at 1:06pm (I think, omg I have forgotten already!!)
The forth was the longest for me. My water broke and I was so intent on not having ANY pain for my last time around that I requested an epidural as soon as I arrived at the hospital. It stalled my labor and I had to be given pitocin to move things along. I honestly thing if I would have went without it would have been alot quicker.

[Sasha80]

my first was 23 hours with 3 hours of pushing.  my second was 5 hours with 12 min. of pushing.  both labours were not induced.

[rebekah385]

Oh, and I have been in labor 3 times.
the first one I had a baby naturally at 28 weeks, they slowed down my labor for 2 days, but could'nt keep him in. i was techniquely in labor for like 53 hours, but only felt it the last 3. I don't really count the labor time on that one.

Baby number 2 (3 weeks early) in labor for well i had a dr appt that morning, thought i felt a few contractions the Dr checked me and I was dilated to a 7 and contracting every 4 mintues so she sent me to the hhospital, so I don't know how long i was in labor before i felt it, but was at the hospital in labor for 6 1/2 hours.

Baby number 3 (the the Dr broke the water on) was about 5 hours

I know my labor history is is complicated, so don't go by it just wanted to give you the numbers

[rebekah385]

I don't know if it would be any different for you than an induction, but with my last baby my Dr and i talked i wanted my water broke to induce labor, but no pitocin he agreed to try although if it was'nt going fast enough we would have to try some pitocin after a few hours. He broke my water, I walked around a lot and had my baby 6 hours later pitocin and drug free! I was still sort of induced, but it was a lot closer ot the natural birth that i perfer.

[mikaleen]

Thank you.  I know that everyone is going to have different experiences, but that's what I was looking for.  1 hour is still super fast even for being induced, and she only raised the pitocin once.  I wasn't on it for long and my body ended up doing it mostly on it's own.  
I wasn't ready for labor at all, wasn't effaced or dilated any, but it still went smooth and fast.  With this one I was 30% effaced at 31 weeks, so I'll find out if I've made any progress on Thursday.  I just wish I was closer to the hospital, it would make the choice much easier!

[bossetina]

first baby 4H16 min (induced)

second baby 3H28 min ( not induced)

third baby 5H28 min (induced)

fourth baby 2H22 min (induced)

haveing are 5 in march 2010

[jenkaye21]

My first was about 10 hours (induced, and a week late).

Second was 12 hours (not induced, and a week early)

Third was 5 hours....thought things were loooking up.... = ).... but then,

Fourth was 10 hours(!)

I guess there is no way to predict, if 10 women respond, we will have 10 different stories.  I do understand being concerned about going too quickly, but since you were induced, that was probably why.  If you go on your own, it will likely not be so fast.  I agree with JoyRenee, if you want to go own your own, wait.  Chances are great that you'll be fine.

[JoyRenee]

First labor was 3 1/2 hours.

Second labor was probably 14 hours.

Third labor was 5 hours.

They're all different! If you want to go on your own then I say wait. Induction increases your chances of having many unnecessary interventions and c-section.

[sprarah]

Every labor is different. I was in labor 3 times as long with my second than my first and about twice as long than the first with my third baby. With my first my water broke at home by the time I got to the hospital I was at a four (I dint dilate for a couple of hours then they fully ruptured my water bag since it was only leaking) but then I went from 4cm-10cm in 20min!! With my second I was in labor for more than 16hrs and about 12 hrs with the third. So just because your first came quickly doesnt mean this one will. I think you should do what you feel is best. And good luck!!