Labor Question

Brenda-RN,BSN, WA. · Mar 3, 2004

I am NOT a L&D nurse. However, I have had three boys, so I know a liitle bit about labor. Also, I work with great L&D nurses who have answered a lot of my questions. I have been told that usually the 2nd baby (delivery) is quicker, and usually easier. Keep in mind that every woman is different, and every pregnancy, and labor and delivery is different, but this is what I was told is common. My personal experience is as follows: My 1st labor was brought on by my water breaking followed by 14 hours of labor. When I got to the hospital I was 1 cm, and my contractions were not very strong, so I walked, and walked for a couple of hours. I was still 1 cm. I was put on pitocin, and yes that helped the contractions! However, I still did not dilate. I was in so much pain and couldn't relax. I could not have an epidural until I was at a 2 cm. I got some stadol which helped me get to a 2. I got my epidural, thank goodness! Less than 1 hour later I was complete, I pushed for 10 minutes and my son was born! My 2nd baby staretd out the same way, my water broke, I went to the hospital. My contractions were much stronger this time. When I got there I was 2cm, I got my epidural and 3 hours later he was born, again I pushed for 10 minutes. That was my easiest labor and delivery. My 3rd I was induced. This was the hardest delivery. He weighed 8 pounds 10 ounces. My 1st was 7# 2oz, 2nd was 8# even. They had to use a vacuum with my 3rd, he was really big for me. But it was only 6 hours. And I was not in labor at all before they started the induction, so that wasn't too bad. I feel so llucky to have had such smooth deliveries. So, I would think that your 2nd will be quicker, but they are all so different. Again, I don't work in L&D, but take care of post-partum families. This is what I have noticed, that the 2nd baby is usually faster. For some reason it seems like the 3rd is tougher than the 2nd. You would think it would get easier each time. Or at least hope! Good luck if you have a 2nd little miracle! Sorry your labor was so long. But it's worth it, right?!

I had to be induced because of possible fetal distress. It took me from 3pm on the 26th to 10:50am on the 27th to go to 4cm dialated. Well, at 12pm on the 27th I started pushing and couldn't stop the nurse didn't think anything of it but checked me anyway. I went from a 4-10 in an hr and 10 min. I was a 10 and the baby was beginning to crown!! I pushed for 25 mins and my son was born at 12:25pm on Jan 27th. Will I go that fast the next time around or was it just because I was induced I went that fast. Oh yeah, that was my first one, too!!
Any response would be great!!

SmilingBluEyes · Mar 4, 2004

you never know

each pregnancy and baby are vastly different. As an experienced OB nurse, I will NOT speculate on your next labor. Just take it as it comes. It may be LONGER.....yes I have seen the reverse MANY times. It's not always faster with each baby. Take it as it comes.

gypsyatheart · Mar 4, 2004

It is true, each pregnancy...each labor & delivery is different. You can't really say what will happen. Actually, in your case it would be very hard to say what your own body will do naturally, because you were induced with this labor, totally different than letting your body do what it needs to do....

kastas, BSN, RN · Mar 4, 2004

Also, were you on pitocin? That could have sped things up.

I agree, 2nd babies tend to be faster than the 1st. Though never assume anything. The 3rd one seems to be the tricky one. You never know what will happen there. You could go really fast or really slow w/ the 1st 2 and that 3rd one will throw you for a loop.

renerian, BSN, RN · Mar 5, 2004

Had to be induced for both and they were both just as long.

renerian

L&D_RN_OH · Mar 5, 2004

I will usually ask what a pt's prior labor experiences were like. But they don't always follow suit. Some women always have short labors, other times, they are vastly different. Being induced definitely played a part in you labor as well.

Personally:

#1 was 17 hours (arrived at 2 cm)

#2 was 14 hours (arrived at 5 cm)

#3 was 8 hours (arrived at hosp complete)