some of the info i have been looking up on, for my appointment today, my first arrived in short of 50 mins, and second under 20, so im defined as precipitate, and cacking myself



What is precipitate labour and why does it happen?
Nobody knows for sure why some women have 'precipitate', or very quick, labours. A precipitate labour lasts, by definition, an hour or less. It usually (but not always) happens to women having their second or subsequent baby. Maybe the cervix and other tissues are more 'stretchy' than average, or maybe the muscles of the uterus contract more efficiently for some women. Once you have been through one precipitate labour, there is a good chance that subsequent labours will also be very quick. One thing is sure; although many women may envy you your tendency to labour quickly, I know it's not much fun when it actually happens to you. You have to deal not only with the physical shock of giving birth quickly (and the associated inconvenience, embarrassment and hazards), but with the emotional shock as well. This can leave some women feeling emotionally numb and detached from their baby, not to mention very frightened. Most babies who are born very quickly seem to suffer no ill effects. However, there is the theoretical risk that a baby may become short of oxygen during a short, sharp labour if the contractions are abnormally strong, with little time in between. This said, it's worth remembering that healthy, term babies are surprisingly resilient to temporary oxygen shortage - providing the shortage doesn't last too long. There is also the theoretical risk that a baby may suffer a brain injury as he or she descends rapidly through the cervix and vagina, being first rapidly squeezed and then suddenly released. On the other hand, one of the contributing factors to a precipitate labour is that the mother's pelvic floor muscles offer no real resistance (hence no need to actively push), so the journey the baby makes to the outside world may be easier than it appears in theory. Perhaps the most obvious danger to the baby is the risk of falling - to the ground, or down a toilet - should the birth take place in the wrong place. He or she may also become very cold if not immediately held close to the mother, dried and covered. Babies who are born very quickly may seem a little dazed and shocked, or rather jumpy and 'irritable'. Quiet surroundings, gentle handling by as few people as possible, and plenty of calm skin-to-skin contact with mother generally help. Certainly, a baby who has entered the world very quickly should be checked over by a paediatrician or GP as soon as possible, to make sure all is well. The baby may benefit from an injection of Vitamin K to reduce the risks of intracranial bleeding, and you should be advised of the signs of potential problems.

My first labour was 6 hours and my second was a hour,so not sure if they are classed as fast labours. But midwife has advised me to have a homebirth this time roundSo im cacking meself too!!!

Is there any possiblity of you having an induction so you can be in hospital? A short labour does sound quite nice til you read all that and then it seems a bit scarier!

Are there any signs you can look out for that you've had with the other two before labour started?

x

lol your second may have been classed as precipitate if that was from first twinge! and i'd look at it being half hour mark this time lol, ive been told the ten min mark and i keep spontaniously, nobody around to help

I have speedy labours too and am being induced on Monday so they can monitor baby and have a little more control as I have a large cyst on my placenta and are concerned about cord abruption.


I would rather go through a long, slow labour than an intense and fast labour like my last ones....it's waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too scary and no time to prepare or even think. I felt out of control

not in my case, with both mine woke randomly wondering why i was up and they were here strong and fast very long with only a second or two between each, couldnt do anything but scream inbetween to paramedic on phone, even saying my name was awful, im asking midwife today about going in for induction, though know what she'll say, homebirth better, tho first was born at 36.3, so if they induced might need to be at beginning of 36 weeks again more risks! i dont flippin know not bothered bowt the pain even tho so intense its fast, just scared for baby and the risks also the risks to me, especially if im on my own and nobody can get time off.

aww hevz, isnt it hortrid when everyone gets shirty cos ur " lucky its so fast", my first wasnt as bad but the 20 min one was just awful, id rather longer labour, are they only inducing cos of the cyst? do you think they ort to let me have one too? im obviously less risk than you, but they say i have to have door open, etc, and i dont fancy finding my toddler playing chicken with the traffic.

With my second i woke up to go loo,wiped and had plug there. Thought id have loads of time. But just made it to bed to wake up hubby and i was in agony. Called hospital and waters broke before getting in car,hospital is 20 min away,and was ready to push as soon as waters had broken. Got to hospital and you could see babys head! Couple of pushes and he was out! Had two midwifes waiting outside AE for me with wheelchair! Whole labour from start to finish was an hour....

They're inducing me so they can continuously monitor baby as a precaution. They wouldn't do it yesterday (even though last week she said they would) coz I was 36 +4 and they wanted me to be 37wks....even though I usually have my babies prem anyway. Maybe it's all about being sued etc if anything does happen and they've started you off pre-term without it being completely necessary????

exactly like my first only i went by ambulance lol, second without scaring you was so painful, and i only pushed one tiny push and she flew out. ( dangerous again) plus cord was rapped so they had no chance to untangle it cos she came in one. i couldnt move, where i stood when first pain came i stayed bent over couldnt even get to the floor until i was forced to incase baby literally came out, but i had someone around 24/7 then, i havnt this time..be as prepared as u can, alright me saying that im so scared and nobody seems to be able to setlle me, midwife due in matter of minutes, and i keep getting teary, so know when she walks in ands says how r u hun im gonna be a reck boo hooo

xxxx