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The material contained on these pages is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or advice and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment. Answers to specific problems may not apply to everyone. If you're worried, see your GP.
  • Fast labour concerns

  • Q My sister had a fast labour of an hour with her first child. She’s pregnant again and worried that it will happen this time, too. How likely is it?

Midwife Nikki replies: Quick or ‘precipitate' births as they're also known, last an hour or less, progressing rapidly from ‘no contractions' to the delivery. It may seem better as it's over swiftly, but there are drawbacks. Longer labours allow your body to release feel-good hormones called endorphins, to ease the pain.
With a precipitate labour, contractions are immediately painful, and often every two to three minutes. This can shock both mother and baby and there's a risk the baby might be born distressed.
Your sister's second labour may well be fast too, so she needs to discuss her potential problem with her midwife.

  • K-Lou

  • thats great news, so pleased for you. xxx
  • Posted by firsttimer... 06 Jan 2009 01:19AM
  • what do i need?

  • what a great list, thanks a lot. xxx
  • Posted by firsttimer... 06 Jan 2009 01:14AM
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