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Is It True That Labors Get Shorter With Every Pregnancy?
Good evening. I recently found out I am pregnant with my 3rd child. I was in labor with my first for about 6 hours. 11 1/2 years later, I had my second son. My water broke at 3:20 a.m., I went into active labor and he was born at approx. 4 a.m. My husband is a paramedic and was at work. I was home alone and delivered my son by myself on our bathroom floor. I called 911 and my husband actually got there in his ambulance at about 4:15....he cut the cord and transported me to the hospital. When my son was born, the cord was wrapped around his neck (loosely) and I didn't think he was breathing at first. 911 guided me through the process of sweeping his mouth, keeping him warm, etc. My question is this: what are the chances of this happening again? We live in a small town and the nearest hospitals are 30-45 minutes away. My hospital preference is the one which is further away. I'm trying to choose a doctor, but am not sure what I need to do. The closer, smaller hospital is about 2 minutes from my day's house. I have thought about staying with him for the last two weeks, so I am close to a hospital. My first son was 6 days early, and my second son was 11 days early. I know I can't camp out at the hospital for the last few weeks "just in case", but I don't care for the smaller hospital. That is where I was transported with my son, but only because it was closer. My doctor practiced at another hospital. I've always heard that labors get shorter with each pregnancy, so I'm thinking this delivery will be identical to my last. Any suggestions? Thank you in advance for your time ;-)
Sat, 22 Feb 2014
Hi,
Thanks for the query.
It is true that labors get shorter with every delivery but this is not a rule. Meaning that this is not true every time.
It seems that you delivered within 2 hours after the water broke. delivery within 2 hours of beginning labor pains is called precipitate labor in medical terms but we cannot be sure that this was your case. It may have been possible that you had contractions but not able to realize that you were in labor. This is also a common finding in second or third pregnancies. Also the cervix opens faster so a few contractions may open the cervix to a greater extent than in first pregnancy.
Your problem is health care access. I suggest that you keep a close watch on the uterine activity and any time you feel that you are getting repeated contractions visit your hospital irrespective whether the contractions are painful or not. Also get enrolled in the nearer hospital. even if it is small, it is better to get delivered there than at home. Another way out is ask your doctor for programmed labor. In this labor pains are artificially induced after confirming that the baby is completely mature, usually after 38 completed weeks. So as it is done in a pre planned fashion, all the problems associated with emergency delivery are avoided. Doctors and other staff are available at hand. the chances of cesarean section are slightly higher with this, but this should not be an issue in a third pregnancy.
I suggest that you discuss all these possibilities with your health care provider and then choose the best course of action.
Hope this satisfies your query.
Thanks for using HCM.
Feel free to ask any more questions that you may have.
Dr Madhuri Bagde
Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist
Thanks for the query.
It is true that labors get shorter with every delivery but this is not a rule. Meaning that this is not true every time.
It seems that you delivered within 2 hours after the water broke. delivery within 2 hours of beginning labor pains is called precipitate labor in medical terms but we cannot be sure that this was your case. It may have been possible that you had contractions but not able to realize that you were in labor. This is also a common finding in second or third pregnancies. Also the cervix opens faster so a few contractions may open the cervix to a greater extent than in first pregnancy.
Your problem is health care access. I suggest that you keep a close watch on the uterine activity and any time you feel that you are getting repeated contractions visit your hospital irrespective whether the contractions are painful or not. Also get enrolled in the nearer hospital. even if it is small, it is better to get delivered there than at home. Another way out is ask your doctor for programmed labor. In this labor pains are artificially induced after confirming that the baby is completely mature, usually after 38 completed weeks. So as it is done in a pre planned fashion, all the problems associated with emergency delivery are avoided. Doctors and other staff are available at hand. the chances of cesarean section are slightly higher with this, but this should not be an issue in a third pregnancy.
I suggest that you discuss all these possibilities with your health care provider and then choose the best course of action.
Hope this satisfies your query.
Thanks for using HCM.
Feel free to ask any more questions that you may have.
Dr Madhuri Bagde
Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist
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