For Those of You Who Have 2+ Kids

I delivered all my children fullterm and naturally,my son 6 hrs,daughter 45 min.,daughter 30 min.I had no medical issues during my pregnancies.

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My first child was a week early, and my second was two weeks early. The actual labor time was about the same, but my second labor was almost pain-free until it was time to push, which sure was nice! (Of course, he came out sideways after being stuck for two hours, so that was payback, heh.) The epi didn't take with the second one, but it was different hospitals, etc. Good luck to you!!

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For me, I was enduced on my due date with my first because the doc was worried on her getting too big. He thought she already weighted 9lbs. (boy he was wrong!) My 2nd one, OMG! she came a week early. Fast Labor...water broke, contractions started and delivered in 2hrs! So precautions were done for my 3rd. Contractions started 4 days past due date. Took a while for them to get closer together. Of course I went to the hospital right away, and they didn't want to send me home because of #2 and I live 15min from hospital. So I hung aroung...After lots of walking and hours later, we decided to jump on the potossin. All was over then! Can't wait to see what happens with #4.(10wks preg) My theroy is the baby will come when it's ready. Be prepared 2wks before (or earlier) and let nature take it's course. As you can tell in my case, every labor is different. The best of luck to you! ~H.

I'll try and be brief, but my story is that I have three daughters, born in 1983, 1985, and 1988. Their birth stories are very different and the due dates versus their actual births are also all different - one of each! "Early", On-time, and Late!! It was extremely easy for me to conceive, too, and the births got shorter each time for some reason. My first baby was due on March 14 and she was born on March 14, just as the dr. said - although he said she'd be a boy! 8-) My labor with her started around 5-6am on a Sunday, but it was mild then. The harder contractions didn't begin for about 12 hours, when the dr. said to come to the hospital. It took a long time to dilate, but was starting to get somewhere with that around 2-3 am on the 14th. About 4am, my husband had been waiting to use the bathroom so he stepped out of the room. Just as he left, my water broke and our first baby was born at 4:31am - yes, he made it back in plenty of time to watch!

Baby #2 is a completely different story! She was due on July 10 but was evidently too comfortable and just plain not ready to make her appearance yet! She wasn't born until July 24 - (just turned 24 last week!) - and my labor was induced around noon, then she was born at 7:29pm.

Our third daughter's due date was February 22nd. On the 18th, I called in to work sick with a bad cold, but when I woke up on the 19th - I knew I was in the beginning stages of labor, so I called in sick again - but told them I was heading to the hospital to have a baby! So this one was 3 days 'early'. The kicker is that when we got to the hospital and they checked me out, the nurses decided that I didn't need to be there yet and sent me back home! This was my third child and I knew what was happening, but I didn't have much of a choice. I called my doctor after I got home and he said to meet him at the hospital around noon (again) and we'd get the party started! So that's what we did, and he induced my labor to get things going a little faster. She was born at 3:12pm that day, so the nurses that were there earlier in the day were WRONG!! This baby was born with Down Syndrome, but that really didn't have anything to do with the fact that she was born before her due date. It's just an interesting fact.

Also, my babies weights were (respectively) 6 lbs. 10 oz., 8 lbs. 9 oz. (the late one was the biggest!), and 6 lbs. 14 oz.

See? You're right! Everyone's got a story(ies) and each pregnancy is different, even if it's in small ways. None of my pregnancies turned out as I had thought they would, at all - but I'm grateful for the 3 beautiful, healthy little girls that I had, and that now they are all grown women who have blessed me with 6 grandchildren!

May God bless you, too!!

I had four children. For me each delivery was a little different, but all my kids were late except the one induced! Each pregnancy/delivery is unique, just as each child is. I'm sure you'll do fine though.

Hi C.. My second delivery was wonderful. After going through 13 hrs of labor with my first and having a 3rd degree rip, I was apprehensive about my second delivery. But there was no need to be. I did have to be induced with my second - he was due on May 17 and we induced on the 19th. After the dr. broke my water, my husband and I walked the halls for 2 hours. I had mild contractions and nothing consistent. I then told my husband and parents to go eat lunch at noon. Five minutes later, my contractions became consistent and were 5 minutes apart. My doctor came in to check me and and I was dilated to a 6. He said, "If you're going to get an epidural, you need to do it NOW!" So I got my epidural at 1:30, and Eli was born at 3:37. Easy, easy birth. Of course, he was smaller than my first son, so that helped!

Good luck to you on your delivery. I hope everything goes smoothly and that you deliver a healthy baby.

M. W.

Hi C. - I just had my second in March and he came at the exact date as my dd (37w5d) and labor was the eact time - right about 5 hours and just as easy . . . so hang in there - don't fret~ Im sure all will be well. I thought the same thing. My labor was so quick/easy with dd that this would be grueling but it wasn't and im sure yours will be the same. WIshing you a quick/painless labor~

Have you asked your doctor about this? I have no experience in preclamspia myself, but I was talking to a friend that had it with both babies, her doctor told her, with her second baby, shes more likely to get preclamspia earlier than the first time, which puts you more at risk for having the baby earlier. She had her 2nd baby 11 weeks early. He is 3 today and perfectly healthy. I am not trying to scare you, and I think everyone is different, but I would talk to your doctor about any concerns instead of letting strangers scare you. My doctor always did a good job calming me down, and telling me truth from facts. I suggest you have a sit down with your OB. I will pray that you dont go early. Good luck and congrats on baby!

They really are all different.

With my son the dr wanted to induce early (I was told from my first appt by a nurse that they would induce no matter what I wanted) she claimed it was for blood pressure reasons, I think she just didn't want to have to give up personal time. So she set it up for 2 weeks early. I was in labor for about 8 hours with him, they couldn't get the pit right so I would go from hard, rolling contractions, not even 20 seconds between them, to having mild ones about 15 minutes apart. It was horrible! Then they gave me way too much medication in my epidural because they didn't have me laying right so I was still feeling the contractions in one part of my body. I remember lying there crying when a nurse came in and asked me how I felt. I turned to her and wailed "My butt cheek hurts!" I was fine everywhere but there! LOL At one point his heart rate dropped really low and they got concerned but it turned out perfectly in the end.

I decided to try a small town dr with my middle child. Again, I was induced early but this time due to her size. I believe she was about 8 days early. I had gestational diabetes with her and while I didn't gain much at all, she was still a big girl! They made me wait till I was 4cm before they would give me the epidural but when we finally reached that point I progressed to pushing in about 25 minutes! The dr was shocked, luckily it was a small hospital so the appt he was in was only about 100 yards away. She had the cord wrapped around her neck and it was knotted! But he caught that in time to take care of it. Also, when he turned to get the episiotomy kit ready I had to call him back because I could feel her moving! I barely had to push at all, and she was here (she's still that way, she has a one track mind!) Labor with her was about 4 hours.

My last little one is now 10 months old. She was also induced, but right on her due date. When I went in that morning I wasn't sure if they were going to be inducing or not so my husband was at work over an hour away. When I was 2cm the dr called for an epidural. When the man showed up to do it, he tried to refuse because I wasn't dilated enough (this was at the same small hospital) but my dr talked him into it because of how fast I went the previous time. This time only took about 5-10 minutes and I was pushing! From 2 to 10 in 10 minutes! I know it doesn't sound believable but I swear it's the truth! The drugs were still so strong that I didn't feel a thing! At one point the nurse turned to me and said, "honey, your not supposed to be laughing while you push, you're in labor!" I think all told, I was in labor about 2.5-3 hours with her.

My kids were 8lbs2oz, 9lbs5oz, and 8lbs5oz respectively.

I think the rule of thumb is 1/2 the delivery time of your first. My first was 14 hours and 10 min to push. Second was 8 hrs and 3 pushes. My first epidural did not work but with my second child it did. Think it is just a matter of if they get a good line in or not. If you have been exercising that helps but lets be honest here, not many of us are all that excited to do that with an extra 20 or 30 lbs on. Best of luck to you!!

My first one was not induced, buy my membrane was stripped to start labor a little earlier. It might work for you if you need to get things going naturally.

My first was born on his due date. I was in labor less than 12 hours.

My second was born three days before his due date. My membranes were not stripped. I was in labor for a little more than seven hours.

I had an epidural both times, but the labor with the second was a LOT easier. I wonder if the epidural was even necessary with him, but I took it as a precaution, if you know what I mean. Anyway, both experiences were very different, and they are so different from each other, but both are a great blessing. Good luck!

My first was 2 weeks early and being new mom went as soon as water broke, we sat around hospital waiting a while but was pretty easy delivery. My second was 3 1/2 weeks early and I waited at home too long, we got to hospital 15 minutes before I delivered (my water didnt break until we were in the hospital). As you could guess my second was natural child birth and quite frankly thats the way to go, my second was a lot quicker delivery. Both beautiful girls.

My first was delivered right on his due date in 36 hours of labor. My daughter was born 19 months later 4 days late in 19 hours of labor. I had easy pregnancies but yea - labor was a bit tedious! lol!

I just had my 2nd child 5 weeks ago so I can totally relate to your question. I also wondered how the 2nd would compare with the 1st. My 1st was 9 days early. I had her on a Friday night. I had contractions while I was at work, but stayed at work all day because they weren't that bad. When I finally went to the hospital I was already dilated to 8 cm. I was still able to get an epidural and had my daughter within 3 hours of when I arrived at the hospital.

Since my 1st was early, I was hoping that my 2nd would be a little early too, but tried not to get my hopes up too much. My 2nd was 10 days early. Again, I had contractions while at work. They were really sporadic though, spaced out anywhere from 90 minutes to 30 minutes, so again I stayed at work all day. That night when I was at home, I still wasn't sure if I was going into labor since the contractions were not getting any more predictable, but I finally went to the hospital when they got more painful. I was only dilated to 3 cm and they talked about sending me home if I didn't progress, but an hour later I was up to 5 cm so I got to stay. The contractions seemed much more painful the 2nd time around than they were the first. My doctor broke my water before I had gotten my epidural and I had the most horrible contraction after that. I was very happy to get my epidural soon after that. They also gave me some other pain medication through my IV before I got the epidural. It made me feel a little loopy, but at that point I did not care. I just wanted the pain to go away.

With my first I was ready to push right after they gave me the epidural, but I felt like the nurse and doctor were dragging their feet - now I realize they were probably waiting for the epidural to take effect. With my second I would have taken a nap after I had my epidural, but I felt like immediately after I got the epidural the nurse was getting the doctor so that I could start pushing. Once I started pushing with my second the contractions stopped so they gave me pitocin to get them started again.

I felt like the second did not go quite as smoothly or easily as the first, but I was still only at the hospital for four hours before delivering my daughter so I can't really complain.

Good luck! I hope everything goes well for you!

I had all 3 of mine by c-section. All 3 of them were early and I went into labor with all of them. The first one was in a military hospital. I was in labor several hours and dilated at 10 and I was still too small to have him natural and had a lot of complications from pushing too hard--tore a lot of stuff up inside and still have problems from that one. I was a week or 2 early.

2nd one was really easy as I was in labor and dilated at 3 and the doctor went ahead and proceeded with the c-section. That recovery was so much easier. I had her in a civilian hospital and got pampered well. She was 2 or 3 weeks early.

I had a miscarriage with our 3rd one at 15 weeks and no one knows the cause of that.. it just happened and had no problems prior to the sad day.

next one I was also early, military hospital, my doctor was on leave and the one on call was a real jerk. I had a planned c-section planned but he came a week earlier than the planned date--I went into the hospital in labor early that morning and was dilated at 3.. the dr on call wouldn't take him and said he was too early and I could be dilated at 3 for a week and said she wouldn't take him until my water broke.. Well I was in full labor most of the day and in a lot of pain. I went back later that evening was dilated at 9 and then she was upset because she had to do an emergency c-section and I warned her when I left that morning that I would be back because I dilate fast but she wouldn't listen. Anyway I have a ton of adhesions from the 1st c-section from tearing so much stuff up that she really had a hard time getting the baby out because she was scared to move anything from all the scar tissue. She said my uterus is very scarred, tubes, was worried my bladder or kidneys would shut down if they were moved so I have a real mess. Anyway we had a very healthy son but was no reason why I should have gone into full term labor and went through all that pain of labor when I was having a c-section anyway as I was told after the 1st one not to ever try to have one natural because everything is so scarred and didn't want me to cause more problems with ripping the same stuff open or tearing something else up. It took a lot longer to recover from the last one mainly because of all I had to go through and the fact that this dr also did a terrible job with the incision and I still have problems with it getting infected and our youngest son is 9 years old now.

None of mine were induced.. I went into labor on my own with all 3. they were all early and for the most part were pretty healthy. 1st one had asthma problems and spit up like a geuser fountain everytime he ate but he was a very happy baby and nothing seemed to bother him, 2nd one had colic for 5 1/2 months, 3rd one had a little colic but was usually just a few hours some evenings and nothing compared to our 2nd one that cried for 4-5 hours non-stop most evenings. Overall they are pretty healthy.

Most of my friends said their deliveries got easier after the first one and a lot of them their next baby came quicker and weren't in labor as long.

1st one was 7 lbs, 2nd and last were both 6 lbs 12 oz.

Hi C.,
Don't worry... you're 6 weeks away from having a beautiful and healthy baby. Keep thinking positively (our thoughts can really have an effect on our physiology). I personally delivered and labored all three of our daughters naturally (it really is a state of mind!!). The first and second were two days late and the third was almost a week late. Our bodies are made for this, and we control so much of it with our minds and our thoughts. Relax, and know that baby knows exactly when to peek his or her head out into the world. Your labor is going to go very smoothly with this one (they get easier each time). I would recommend some reading... head down to the local library branch and check out some books on laboring and pregnancy (not even necessarily to learn but to preoccupy your mind with the positive possibilities! Believe in your body, and perhaps go check out some prenatal yoga classes too. Blessings for a great labor and birth experience. Eat and drink well and be happy.
K.

Good Morning C., My first labor went from 6 am to 10:34 pm. Just wouldn't dilate, took me to X-ray to determine if I could have him normally. Yup I could, so they broke my water, labor really went fast then. He just wouldn't turn, so the Salad (smirk-in) tongs were used to move him over.
Saddle block was used ( now you know it was many moons ago huh lol ) The block deadens everything from waist down, no movement at all!! No feelings of any kind, pushing was a little difficult...lol He was due Oct 28, came Oct 29th. 74

Son number 2, started Maybe at the same time 6 am. but he wasn't due for 11 more days, just had very low pressure pains. My mother in law had just passed away, so we went shopping for a dress, coat, for the big balloon to wear to a service. Had Mexican food to. It was January very cold and icy. By the time we went to the funeral home that evening I knew something was up. So I borrowed hubby's watch and walked around. *Grinning* the funeral director saw me waddling and timing, cupped his hands and said this would be a first, do I need to be prepared?!?!?! lol
My brother in law was with us, he was at that time a Medic in Navy. We piled 2 older cousins, Aunt, Hubby, brother in law and me back in the car and went home. By then I knew I need to go to the Hospital. We got there at 6:pm. Got out of the car and my tummy was FLAT, I could see my Feet again....lol Travis was born at 7:42 pm. He broke my water being born, pretty little (6lbs. 9oz.) guy. Due Jan 16, came Jan 5, 77
I think I could of had him with no pain med's, he came so fast, but the fear of the first labor and delivery made me tell them to give me Epi really quick. They were holding Him in until the Dr. arrived in Delivery room. lol Had side effect with it ( headache for 2 wks.) It hit a nerve some where and shot electrical current type pain up my neck to my head. All in all the Labor and delivery for our second son was awesome, was after that was awful. Brother in law stayed a week longer to care for me and the baby while hubby worked.
I never got to go to the service, was kept in hospital 5 days because of the headache. I kept the dress and took it up on the sides, so I could wear it to Church etc.. The coat was a definite keeper...lol For years to come.

God Bless you C., I pray your labor and delivery will be so awesome you will breeze right through it. Things are so different now.
K. Nana of 5

Baby #1: I was induced one week early. Long day, but pretty easy delivery overall... pushed for quite a while, but it was not as tough as I expected.

Baby #2: I delivered 3 weeks and 1 day early! Not sure why, but I was definitely pleased. Pushed just a few times, and he was out. Other than laboring at home for a few painful hours, it was super easy.

Best of luck to you and congrats! -A.

Both mine were surprisedly born on their estimated due date. I know some women who are persistant 42 weekers.

Both my labors progressed quickly. I got to the hospital at 6 cm with my first; progressed to 8 quickly. With my second I got there at 8 cm. Unfortunately,they figured out my first was breech when I got to the hospital and ended up with a cesarean. My water broke the first time earlier in labor - probably at 6 cm. My water didn't break until I was pushing with my daughter.

Theoretically second births are supposed to be quicker. I remember talking to one mom; totally medicated for the first birth. With the second the baby came so fast that she did an unplanned natural birth with no regrets.

How fast or slow your labor is can also depend the position of the baby. Some women find exercises to achieve optimal fetal positioning (spinningbabies.com) and chiropractic care helpful for this. Watch how you sit during the day. Leaning back reclined on a chair while at work or at home gives babies less room to move around and find a good birth position. Hiring a doula to help you with labor support and positioning can be helpful. There are tons of great birth stories out on the web. There are also some good birth story books.

The question under what cirumstances your doctor will induce the second time is really a good one, particularly since you were saying you were not technically high risk.

Some doctors induce quicker than others. I know two Illinois moms induced for borderline presclampsia by the same OB. One ended up with a c/s; the other a vaginal birth. Later one found out this OB was less tolerant of borderline readings because she had been truly eclamptic herself. Other OBs look for any excuse to induce at 39 weeks.

Some mothers tolerate induction better than others. Most likely because their bodies were truly ready and their babies were lined up. Other women end up with cesareans. Some mothers find the induction extremely painful and are surprised at how easy their non-induced labor the second time around. Some doctors figure if it worked the first time why not.

Good luck

I've had two, 3 in september. My first came naturally 1.5 weeks early, no complications, no interventions (iv, epidural, pitocin, etc.). She took about 6 hours to deliver from when my water broke and I started contractions, 20 minutes of pushing. My second came 1.5 weeks late, but she came on her own too with no complications or interventions. I was in labor for about 12 hours, but I only pushed for about 5 minutes. I thought I'd never like her after those last 3 weeks of waiting and the twice as long birth, but I do.

I think it can be all over the place and I"m nervous about my upcoming birth. The one thing I will say is that the after birth pains were MUCH more intense the second time around!

Good luck, we're due about the same time.

K.

I had the same questions as you...I delivered both of my boys about 2 weeks early. The second labor was shorter but the first time around I can't tell you when I went from false labor to active labor. It was easier as well as far as not needing intervention (except the epidural) My body progressed well on it's own where as the first time around it slowed after the epidural. HOWEVER, my doctor told me it can go either way just because you deliver early the first time doesn't mean you will the second and since you were induced and didn't go on your own, I think it makes it even more difficult to say. As far as your mother's experience, I just had a friend who's mother was the same way, but worse, and she went full term 40wks. 4 days...best advice-listen to your body, be prepared for anything but don't stress:-)

The second delivery was so much easier. Even my doctor said that when he first started delivering babies 25 years ago, that all his patients were first time moms, and it was miserable for him. Labors were long. He even considered quitting. But within two years his first time moms were coming back to deliver their second babies, and he was amazed at how fast and easy the labor was.

Our first daughter was 2 weeks early and I was in labor for 18 hours - only 12 of those in the hospital. They broke my water with her and started me on pitocin since I wasn't progressing. I had an epidural as soon as they started the pitocin... thank god I did because she broke my tailbone on the way out. It wasn't really that bad though... I only pushed for 10-15 minutes and had a fairly quick recovery (besides the tailbone), only 1 stitch!

Our second daughter was 3 days late, and I was induced. I was progressing on my own, so all they had to do was break my water to get things going. No pitocin this time. Labor only lasted 5.5 hours from the time they broke my water until she was born. I did have an epidural, but I waited until I was about 2.5 hours in. I only pushed through 3 contractions and she was here! No stitches this time, and my recovery was even better this time. The only thing that was worse was the cramping afterwards. I was warned that the cramping with subsequent kids was worse, and that was definitely true for me. It killed every time I nursed, but it got much better after about a week.

Also.. something I thought was funny. Our 1st daughter, who was 2 weeks early, weighed a full pound more than our 2nd daughter, who was 3 days late!

I'm sure they'll be monitoring you for pre-E, since they were worried last time. Have you asked your doc if they will induce this time because you were higher risk last time?

Good luck to you! Sending good thoughts and wishes for a fast and easy delivery and a healthy baby!

I can't really offer much insight on your first question, because I was never, thankfully, high risk for anything dangerous. With my first 3 kids, I went over my due date, and with my fourth, I had her a couple of days before the due date. So I guess it went earlier with each subsequent pregnancy, but only by a matter of a day or two with each.

As far as the ease/ speed of labor, mine were dramatically less each time. The first time, I was induced and was in labor for 12 hours. I had an epidural, and overall, everything went smoothly. With my second, I was in labor for a total of 7 hours, and I made it to the hospital only 30 minutes before he was born. No pain meds at all. With my third, total labor was just under 5 hours, barely got the epidual before she was born. My fourth was 90 minutes of total labor (yes, from the first contraction until she was completely out), no pain meds, in the hospital maybe 20 minutes before she was born. A lot of people would agree that the quicker the labor, the better, but not having pain meds made it a little scary and hard to focus. But I would take that over 36 hours of labor followed by 12 hours of pushing any day.

My best advice would be to not take any chances when you think labor may be starting. Your first labor, even with being induced and having an epidural (which they say slows labor down some) was incredibly short for a first labor. I don't know if your second will be quicker, but it is very possible, and if it is, it could be substantially shorter. So don't worry about being "that pregnant lady" who jumps at every little contraction. You may need to be that lady to ensure a smooth labor and delivery.

Good luck, and an early congratulations on your new baby! I hope you do have an easy labor!

Hi C.,

I have three kiddos, 5,3,1. With my first I was pretty much induced a day early. I was forced to have an epidural, and threatened that if I didn't have an epidural that I was going to have a C-section. It WAS AWFUL!!!! I was in labor for 13 hours. I decided that when I got pregnant with my second child that I was not going to be forced into any of that again! I studied the Bradley Method (natural child birth method) I went in to labor one day after my "due date". I labored at home with the help of my husband. When we left for the hospital thinking that we still had awhile... umm... I was completely dialated to a 10!! My labor only lasted 4 hours!!! It was a great birth! With my third, I walked around 4 sonometers dialated and 75% effaced for 9 days... my son was 9 days past his "due date"!!! I was MISERABLE!!!!! Finally, when my labor did start I was ecstatic!!! It ended up being a 13 hour labor. So yes, you are correct that each pregnancy and birth is different. Also remember that "due dates" aren't exactly a perfect science. At best it is a good guess. Some doctors might tell you that you could go into labor two weeks before or two weeks after this date. Just make sure you have your bags packed and relax. Your baby will come when he/she is ready to be born!! My best to you!!

M.

I first was 3 weeks early and breech so we had to have a c-section. They never even suggested trying to turn her because she was coming. They really aren't nearly as bad has people think they are. I have actually know people who have had more problems after a vaginal birth because of serious ripping then I ever had with a c-section. Sure vaginal that goes well is always the best but don't be afraid of the c-section if it becomes necessary. My second was a scheduled c-section two days before the due date. I thought at one point that I was in labor with her but it wasn't meant to be. Number 3 was a very special case that was not typical at all so it doesn't really count toward your question.

I can tell you that a lot of women have similar deliveries to their mothers. My mom had braxton hicks all through 6 of 7 pregnancies and each pregnancy they started about 6 weeks before the last pregnancy. I have followed that same pattern. My mother had REALLY quick deliveries. I didn't get to experience that but my sister had her first baby in about 15-20 minutes. Most people I know generally tend to have similar experiences even though they are all different. There is always the exception. My SIL just had #5. She had the first 4 girls all right around their due date. #5 was a boy and 3 weeks early.

Don't stress about it. This little one will come however they decide too and their really isn't a lot you can do to change that. In my experience, the most important aspect of the whole process is having a doctor that you trust. Then when problems arise, you don't have to second guess whether you did the right thing. Good Luck!!!

My first- Water broke in a total gush at midnight. The first labor pain came 5 minutes later. She was born at 3:11 am. It was hard labor and I was in transition almost instantly. She was born 2 weeks early.

My 2nd- Water began to leak at 4:30pm. I went to the hospital where it gushed at 5:00pm. I had no labor pains until 8:05. At 8PM, they said they would start me on pitocin at 9pm if I was not in active labor by then. I labored in total transition from 8:05 to 9:03 and she as born. She was also 2 weeks early.

My 3rd- I was dilated to a 4 and effaced 100% 6 weeks early. At 2 weeks early we went to the hospital where they popped my water bag. I went into transition immediately and she was born in 20 minutes.

My 4th- I was steadily dilating and effacing at 3 weeks early. The nurse midwife did not want to induce me. But it was happening very steadily with no pains. When I dilated at a 5 she put me in the hospital at 9am. We did not do anything to speed things a long that day. I was in no pain still at 6pm and dilated to a 7! We waited until 9pm and she threatened to start me on pitocin. I told her to let me walk around for awhile. I walked about 20 feet and went into transition immediately. She was not born until just before Midnight. It was my longest labor but didn't really seem like much. Most of the day I just laughed and joked as we all watched the contractions on the monitor.

Youngest and my oldest are almost 16 years apart. My midwife says that waiting nearly 10 years to have my last made it like starting all over.

S.

You may deliver early, but it's not likely to be because your first was easy, nor because your first was at risk for pre-eclampsia, nor because it's your second child, nor even because your mother had you early. My doctor told me that women tend to "incubate" for around the same amount of time for each child, so if you hadn't been induced, you could guess how early or late you'd deliver based on the natural delivery time of your first. But even then, it's still only a guess (as your mom's experience shows)! :-)

It's definitely different each time. Typically though, each subsequent delivery tends to be shorter and somewhat easier, not harder (but not always, of course).

Try not to worry too much--women have been having babies without epidurals for a long time. ;-) If the epidural doesn't take, you and your doctor will deal with it. If you have a C-section, you and your doctor will deal with it. Trust me, the thing foremost in your mind the *second* you hold that new baby in your arms will be... well, that baby in your arms! lol All else will be nearly forgotten, at least for that moment. :-)

For me, my labors/deliveries went something like this:

First child: 5 days before his due date, 12 hour delivery (with epidural through most of it, although it didn't take at first).
Second child: 4 days before her due date, 7 hour delivery, no pain killers (because the nurses wouldn't listen and didn't believe I was actually in labor until my husband arrived, but then it was too late for painkillers--argh! Make sure you have an advocate with you when you arrive!). At least labor wasn't all that bad!
Third child: 7 days before his due date, dilated too quickly for epidural, 5 hour delivery, fairly easy.
Fourth child: 5 days before his due date *by induction* (will NEVER do that again!), only a 1.5 hour epidural that didn't last through labor, 12 hour HARD delivery.

Pregnant with #5 now, so we'll see how it goes this time around. :-)

--A.

With my first delivery it was a week early on it's own. My second I was induced a week early and it went so fast I blocked out like 3 hours of what even was going on I've tried to remember but just can't I do know I only got 1/2 an epidural cause it was going so fast. Good luck you'll do fine!

Hi C., I was induced 3 weeks early because of toxemia and the risk that it may turn into pre-eclampsia also. She came out 9lb 2oz and very beautiful. My second one was due 15 months later and she was 4 weeks early on her very own. I was scheduled for an ultrasound for the next week (I had gestational diabetes with her) to see if she'd be over 8 lbs and then they would induce and instead she arrived the next day. She was 9lb 8oz. But you said so yourself that every preganancy is different as is every baby. Both of mine were big, but came out covered in the cheesy stuff, they were white and cheesy (as we called it), not red and somewhat clean. They were truly early, just huge, but like I said, my youngest came on her own and early. My doctor told me that if I were to have anymore they would be early also. So you never know. Congratulations on your second and I hope all goes well with your delivery. Good luck and God Bless.

I was 12 days early with my first. I arrived at the hospital 8-9 cm dilated. I (shouldn't have, but did) got an epidural and it slowed things down. Five hours after getting to the hospital she arrived.

My second one - went to the hospital and 3 hours later she was born.

My third - went to the hospital and maybe 2-3 hours later he was born.

My fourth - I was SO afraid I wouldn't make it to the hospital. Went in, and doctor told me I had a choice: go home and come back (which meant coordinating child care for 3 other kids - again) or get pitocin to speed things up. He was born about 4-5 hours later.

I got an epidural four times and loved it each time. My contractions were really painful til that kicked in and then it was smooth sailing. As you know, it's different each time, and different for every one with subsequent babies. ENJOY all of it and congrats!! There's nothing like it! (you know that already)

Hi C., I had both my girls early. The 1st was 10 days early and the 2nd was 3 weeks early. The 1st one I went early on my own and had her fast (3 1/2 hours start to finish) and the 2nd was induced (her heart rate kept dropping and the doctor was worried - he was right to the cord was wrapped around her neck and her arm), but even with the induction the doc didn't think that I would have made the weekend without going into labor. I was already have contractions that would send most women to the hospital, I didn't even notice them. The doctor told me that I must have a really high tollarence for pain. Anyway that labor/delivery was fast also (4 hours). If I have any more he wants me to camp out at the hospital the last month since I have them early and fast LOL. I also walked for at least 30 min per day every day with both my pregnancies. Don't know if that had anything to do with it or not, but I had them, early, I had easy labors, had them fast and felt great through the whole pregnancy - no back aches the whole time.

I have a 4 year girl and a 6 month old boy. I too was induced (11 days early) with my girl due to pre-eclampsia but, I was already in the early stages of labor when I went to the hospital. I took a long time getting to 10cm but I was never in pain and only pushed for 45mins. Like you, I was really worried that things would not be as easy when my son came. He came 13 days early and although my labor was a little quicker, it was pretty much the same. Even down to getting stuck at 5cm for ages and pushing for 45mins! I had an epidural with both and they were both a breeze. The easiest part of pregnancy in my opinion.
I hope this helps. Good luck!

Wow I just had to write because you've had so many responses from people with easy labors! I'm always the woman in the room next to the woman who's done in 4 hours, lol! Anyways here's my personal experience, my first was born in 14 hours with an epidural that partially worked. My second was induced 3 days late and born 11 hours later with an epidural. I had to do lots of crazy stuff that day because he was turned wrong... then when he finally turned his heart rate was plummeting and he was nearly a c-section baby. My 3rd was induced on her due date (which I didn't agree with.. but was worried she would be 9 lbs like her brothers!). Well the induction didn't "work" so I was brought back 3 days later and induced again. For some reason the same thing happened and I just would not dilate at all... after that much pitocin her heart rate was just crazy, and they thought by the pattern of the heart rate she had a cord wrapped around her, so she was born by c-section that day. Not trying to scare you or anything but my labors have been more difficult each time and I never thought I would be the c-section mom either! Out of the 19 kids my brothers wife & my sisters have had, I had the first c-section... so it can definitely happen to anyone and I was NOT prepared. Anyways, I want to wish you the best of luck and hope you do have an easy labor, the most important part is just a healthy baby and mom at the end!

Hi C.,

I have 5 children who are all grown now and you are right each one is different. I had a very easy time getting pregnant and an easier time with child birth. My oldest daughter I started have contractions at 5:30 in the morning, she was born 4 1/2 hours later. My second was a son, shorter labor, had him within 3 hours. My third was a daughter, went into labor at 8 months, they stopped the labor, 3 weeks later when I went into labor again they did not stop the labor, she was born 4 1/2 hours later. All 3 of these kids were born at least 1 week early! The 4th baby was a boy, I was at the doctor on my due date! She asked how I was feeling, I told her I was tired of being pregnant!! She checked me, asked if I was having contractions, I told her no...why? She stood there with her hands on my stomach for about 10 minutes and then told me to get dressed and go to the hospital! I said I'm not in labor and she told me she didn't deliver in her office. I was dilated to 7 with no contractions. My son was born about an hour later! Hmmm...would I have made the hospital?? Probably not! All 4 of these babies I had natural. So baby #5 should be a breeze, but nope, I had been kicked in the stomach, went into labor and her hand and arm were in the birth canal, they couldn't turn her! Emergency C-Section!! But she was fine and that was the main thing!!

Hang in there and remember, as long as the baby is healthy that is what is important! So no stressing, relax and enjoy the pregnancy, you'll soon have a new bundle of joy:)

L.

Both my boys were 5days early from my due date. With my first my water broke, and 24hrs later I pushed em out! With the 2nd, I went through 48hrs of labor... So mine is backwards, it was longer the 2nd time lol. Then again, caffiene makes me sleepy, and benedryll makes me hyper, I'm just a backwards gal?! Best of luck with your new addition!