Third labour stories - easiest or difficult?

[RedPanda]

I'm having my third baby soon and I've heard that sometimes the third labour can be more unpredictable. My second labour was only two hours and felt comfortable, drug-free and easy (well, as easy as labour can be!).
I am now worried that the third might not be as easy as the second. Please tell me your stories about third labours!

[1+1=5]

bumpity bump. i want to know too

[emmwill]

Well my third labour was very similar in length to my second (4 hours) but I did have a 5 year gap inbetween.

It was completly drug free (had gas with the second and pethadine and gas with the first) as I felt I was coping well with the pain

Pushing was quicker. No stitches ( Had stitches with my first)

I think I was a lot more relaxed. I was confident I could do it myself. I had told my dr the week brfore he could stand in the doorway as I was happy that the midwife and I would be fine.


Good luck and enjoy it all

[sare]

I think my third labour and delivery was the best of my 3. I was induced 6 days early (because of GD) with the gel. I went into labour about an hour and a half later. I only used the gas in the latter stages of the labour. The thing that really sticks out in my mind is that I didn't beg for an epidural like I did when I was in labour with the girls, so I guess that's why I view it as the best of my labours. That being said, I did use a TENS machine and my dh applied accupressure, both of which were fantastic and really helped me manage my pain. The delivery was reasonably quick, ds was out in a few pushes.

My 3 labours were all of a similar duration (between 6 and 8hrs). Out of them dd2's (2nd labour) was the most difficult, although the shortest.

I agree a lot with what Emmwill said. I was a lot more comfortable and relaxed about ds's labour. I felt prepared and didn't have the anxiety that I did going in to labour that I did with dd2. Or it could just be that I remember dd2's labour and delivery as being so painful and that I felt really out of control, that anything after that would have been better

Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy.

[Ffrenchknickers]

My third labour was nowhere near as smooth as my second....that's all I will say, hehe. I remember my middie commenting on how 3rd labours are often more difficult.

[rinkeroo]

I agree a lot with what Emmwill said. I was a lot more comfortable and relaxed about ds's labour. I felt prepared and didn't have the anxiety that I did going in to labour that I did with dd2.

Me too, I was definitely more prepared third time round!

My first two labours were almost identical (although DS2 arrived 4 weeks early) - both were about 4 hours, and both times I was 8cm by the time of the first internal at the hospital. Painwise, I was able to manage with just the shower and a bit of gas at the end both times.

My third labour was a quite different, and dragged out a bit longer. This time I was only 4cm at the first internal (about 4 hours into labour, but still not horribly painful) and then things stalled altogether, and 3 hours later I was still only 4cm (the contractions had eased off a lot during this time, so I still wasn't in too much pain). I tried everything I could think of to get things moving again, but ended up having my waters ruptured after a couple more hours of nothing - that certainly did the trick - the contractions stepped up a huge notch and within an hour & a half, DS3 had arrived! That last 90 minutes was pretty intense though, I felt it was probably more painful than my first two labours, but I think that was more to do with having my waters ruptured than anything else.

I must say though, that the actual birth was easiest third time round - with DS1 I had a lot of tearing and stitches, with DS2 I still tore but not as badly...whereas with DS3 I had only a graze and NO stitches

So I guess looking back I'd have to say that my second labour was the 'easiest' but the actual birth was definitely the best third time round

Good luck!

[Sheer Bliss]

My third was the quickest and easiest labour, birth and recovery of all 3!

First - 7hrs, ended in vacume extraction and tiny episiotomy.

2nd - induced via ARM, just over 2 hrs, 2nd degree tearing, PPH and I was out of it for the next 24hrs.

3rd - 1hr 45 and my first drug free birth. Waters broke at home, made a few calls then went straight to hospital (40min drive) A was born 7mins later, and then E 23mins after that! A, pretty much fell out as I had been breathing her out without realising it!! E was a bit harder....I was over it started pushingbefore he was ready, so gave myself another tear but still relatively easy. THIS time I got that adreneline rush and amazing high I heard others talk about.

[HART]

Unpredictable - Yes... Easier - Yes

My first labour was four hours from time waters broke to DS was born - used gas and then had a pethadine shot as needed a vacume extraction and episiotomy

Second Labour - I was induced 45 minutes from when sytocin was given - no drugs

Third labour - 20 mintues, no drugs - DD delivered by her dad in the doors of the emergency enterance

My word of warning for your third especially since you last labour was only two hours is go to the hospital as soon as you think you are in labour ... WISHING YOU A SMOOTH BIRTH OF YOUR DS/DD....

[maybe1more]

Witchhazel - im expecting my third too (due tomorrow the 23th jan) and was wondering the same thing. My midwife said the labouring seems to stop and start alot, so i guess ill find out soon enought!!! Best of luck to you

[Hokey Pokey]

Hard and longest. My first was 6hrs, second emergency c/section, 3rd 13/14 hrs.