As each successive pregnancy produces more oxytocin receptor sites on all reproductive tissues it usually means that subsequent labours and births are shorter and the initiation of lactation more efficient.
However the size and orientation of the fetus and the mother’s pelvic dimensions will influence outcomes as well.
I have just been with a woman who went through an extremely long pregnancy where the fetal lie was transverse most of the third trimester. The fetal head eventually engaged with some strong contractions and she went on to have a long labour and birth her third child at 43+6 weeks. During this third labour she fractured her coccyx with second stage pushing, and soon after that her unborn baby’s condition deteriorated to severe fetal distress leading to an emergency dash to hospital (side lying and breathing oxygen) for a vacuum assist to get the baby out quickly.
This woman had coped with similar prolonged ‘pre-labours’ (almost a week with her first) and very prolonged second stages for her first two pregnancies. She knows she has a shallow pelvis and reduced AP diameters at the outlet. She did not need assistance with the first two births though, there was no fetal distress and she birthed in water after very prolonged second stages.
I take my hat off to Anne (her name) whose efforts to birth her third child went far beyond what most women experience. But she simply said “If this is the way I have to do it, this is the way I will do it” and got on with it. She actually attended her boy’s soccer match and cheered him on during the first day of labour despite a bloody show and strong contractions. She took the boys and the dog for a walk in the evening “to help the contractions along” all the time knowing she would be labouring all this night while they were sleeping and for perhaps another day at least. I am in awe of her perseverance and courage and will remember her energy and self-control long after the ‘easy’ ones are forgotten.
Anne is the perfect example of “women can do anything when they have other women supporting them”.
I want to thank the staff at Royal North Shore Hospital birthing suite who had the Registrar with vacuum ready on arrival and were with us all the way. Their welcoming and proficient reception made the unexpected outcome all the easier for Anne to cope with.
Thanks Deb, Raylene and Cindy
Jan Robinson
On 21/7/03 11:51 AM, "Larry & Megan" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Hi Rhonda,
I had an 'easy' third birth. First two were 8-9 hours, no problems, third was 3 hours, no problems. That is to say, no complications, but it was full on and hard work. I guess if your family is to have another baby, then you have to take the pregnancy and birth journey that comes with it, no doubt easier said than done.
Maybe these women had some deeper emotions going on that were holding back the labour and birth, I love how this idea is explored in "Spiritual Midwifery".
Megan
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]On Behalf Of Rhonda
Sent: Sunday, 20 July 2003 7:47
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Third time labours
Well you just totally quashed my desire for another child - already rather worried because of my last two disaster stories, I had this little bit of hope in me as my sister's all had very easy 3rd births - best pregnancy and birth for all three of them and they said that the third was better than the fourth and all gave me some hope that maybe if I did try again it would not be so bad. Now I am even more confused as maybe the third is not always the best after all.
Hmm.
So I would be interested if there are any studies.
Rhonda
-------Original Message-------
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Date: Sunday, July 20, 2003 20:11:52
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Third time labours
I too have observed this. it also happens in grand multies, but i have no
evidence or research. MM
> We have recently had two women, third pregnancies, experiencing difficult
> spurious labours. They have come in, contracting 2/60, with what feels
like
> good conts. But have gotten no where. Bubs head high, no dilatation, just
an
> exhausted mum and very tired and puzzled support people. I have done a
search
> on the net, but no research seems to have been done. Anecdotal evidence
> suggests third pregnancies often fiddle around. Anyone have any
suggestions as
> to why, and what can be done to support these women? Maureen.
>
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
>
>
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