In which my MW makes me feel AWFULLY nervous...

[anathea]

Went to the MWs office yesterday for what I expected to be a fairly uneventful visit - Everything seems great, measuring 35.5 weeks, which to me seems huge, considering I am really only 32 weeks, good heartbeat, good bloodpressure, she encouraged me to go get myself a therapist, you know, just in case. And then had the usual “how to detect REAL labor" talk. Which led to, basically, that I should keep in mind how much EARLIER and FASTER these things happen with your second baby. Which didn’t give me much reassurance at all.

I went into natural labor with Maya at 37.5 weeks. Welp, this here birth center will only deliver at the center (instead of the hospital) if you go to 37 weeks. In addition to getting acquainted with that idea, is the idea that my labor, in theory, will be essentially half of what it was the first time, maybe less because she’s so low. Maya’s labor was FAST. Especially for a first time mama. I was probably in full labor for 7 hours and pushed for about 45 minutes. So, that gives me, what, four whole hours? Maybe? Oh my god. Did I mention that it takes TWO HOURS to get to the birth center?

As if that isn’t enough to consider, she also recommended that we get a map and mark all the OTHER hospitals along the route, just in case Molly’s stickin’ her little head out and just plain isn’t going to make it as far as the center. Gravy. All I need is to birth this little child in the car, right?

So, I pre-scheduled the rest of my appointments, in theory. Which they would only schedule through the end of April, given “how soon” I went last time. And with my history of going early, and with the fact that my mom delivered two very premature babies (me included there), I also got the invitation to attend this tueday’s “36 week meeting”. You know. “Just in case you don’t make it til the end of March.”

But, you never know, right? I could still go 42 weeks and have a 26 hour labor. Right? :bigeyes

[NYCVeg]

Hmmm...I haven't heard that second babies come SO MUCH earlier--just, on average, a couple of days earlier. If you have fast labors, the birth center being two hours away does seem tricky--regardless of how fast or slow this labor actually goes. Any chance you could stay closer by as your EDD approaches? Beyond that, I might not sweat it too much. I think it's probably good to know other potential birthing places along your driving route, but labor is so unpredictable--there are certainly no guarantees that your baby will come super early, super fast, whatever. And, hey, lots of babies are born in cars! :D

[JuicyPakwan]

My first was 9 days early and my second was 3 days Late!!! So maybe you'll be one of us lucky ones. OH but my third was nice to me and was 6 days early. My labors have been basically 24 hrs 12 hrs and 9ish hrs. Take birth supplies with you and make your dh read Emergency Childbirth. Can't remember the author but it is great, practical and very calming. My mom's first was 6 hrs and they stayed thereabouts for the next six but me (her last) was a whopping 24 hrs. Poor lady. So not always faster or earlier with subsequent babies. Good luck I can't wait to read your birth story it is bound to be exciting.

[*GreenMama*]

Bollocks.... My older sib was on-time and I was 5 days late. Nobody knows exactly why labor starts so saying its going to happen earlier than last time makes no sense....

[True Blue]

My second was 3 days later than my first. My sister's 3 kids all came a few days later than the previous too. And while my second labor was shorter, it wasn't half, either, at least from start of first signs to end. Active labor was much shorter, perhaps 90 minutes until I pushed for 5 or so, but my water broke a full 10 hours before she was born (first signs of labor with DS were about 12 hours before he was born). I would, however, be ready to go at the first sign of labor since you have a 2 hour ride, and if you start to get uncomfortable it sucks to be in the car!! Your MW is right in that it would be smart to know where hospitals are on the way just in case, but I would say chances are you'll make it no problem. Could you also try telling her now that you um were a little off in your dates to buy you a few earlier days to get into the birthing center? I know my homebirth mw said she'd deliver me at home a little after 36 weeks if necessary, as long as I agreed to lie if we had a hospital transfer that I was already 37 weeks.

[anathea]

I am all well and good with being prepared for all of the options I may face, of course. I know that childbirth can be unpredictable, but it seems like a lousy trick for a midwife to pull to be so insistant on these big heavy doom "You're never going to make it!" predictions. Especially on a 8 month pregnant hormonal woman! :D I had heard that things can go quickly and early with your second, but this woman was casting a pretty heavy doubt on our choice to go with the birth center, even for the distance. I was nervous, but my poor Hub's eyeballs were popping out of his head. I will check out that book - it never hurts to be ready for anything! :thumb

[busybusymomma]

Well... second births are generally faster but you just never know. It could take longer if baby isn't in optimal position, like posterior. You really just never know.

I thought I'd go early the second time because my first baby was induced at 38 weeks so I thought a little timer might go off in my uterus and I'd go early. Ds was born one day before our edd. :D Labor was exactly half as long though.

This time I'm trying not to have any expectations, but it's hard! :wink

Good luck- and Gregory White's book is a good idea!

[Ksenia]

I recommend that you prepare for unassisted childbirth - just in case. I know a few local women who had unplanned unassisted births with their subsequent babies - all wonderful experiences. Reading birth stories and mentally preparing yourself could make things a lot easier when the time comes. Usually fast babies are born unassisted with no problems. Here's some helpful info:

http://www.unhinderedliving.com/childbirth.html

IMO, it would be a lot nicer to birth gently at home than racing around looking for hospitals while in hard labour. And I think it's safer to birth at home than on the side of a highway!