Some babies are fast and ready to get out. Others take days.

It’s really luck

I also had an absurd second delivery.

I think if you’re in a scenario where the baby is coming - surprise! That fast! - then the baby is in perfect position and everything is ready to go like a slip n slide.

CNM here- generally speaking fast labors are uncomplicated ones. Of course there can be exceptions but that’s generalisation that tends to bear out

Thanks PPs! I did not realize speed plays a factor.

Cool fact!

Anonymous wrote:usually when they come superfast they are in a good position with no complications

This is why. If a baby is born on the side of the road, her mom likely has a short and easy delivery. Most C sections I know were caused by a complication like “it’s been 48 hours and this baby is stuck”.

These are fast births generally.

usually when they come superfast they are in a good position with no complications

I had my 2nd superfast and seriously, could have "freebirthed" but didn't. delivered in the triage room.

It seems to happen more with the attempted home births. Those don't always end happily.

Also: my third came crazy fast and was in a compound position, meaning his elbow came out first. I WAS in the hospital and they saw the elbow, said we might need c-section, everyone started frantically preparing, and then I pushed like hell and he was born. Tore the crap out of me and hurt like hell but he was ok. They said the speed of delivery was what made it safer.

Anonymous wrote:Surprise! I had a baby in my car! Is a cute story when no one is injured and everyone is healthy and happy. Those people share the story.

I’m sure sometimes things go wrong and the mom is injured or the baby does not live. No one shares that because it’s horrible to imagine.

There was a Columbia grad student a few years ago who gave birth on the street and died, I believe from hemorrhaging out. It was not a fun, "had a baby in the lobby" story.

Surprise! I had a baby in my car! Is a cute story when no one is injured and everyone is healthy and happy. Those people share the story.

I’m sure sometimes things go wrong and the mom is injured or the baby does not live. No one shares that because it’s horrible to imagine.

Anonymous wrote:Sections happen sooner to avoid these scenarios

This. Also, if you're in active labor on the side of the road or at home but haven't given birth yet, hopefully the EMTs get you to the hospital where you can have a C-section if you need one. I personally know two women who were planning home births but ended up getting whisked to the hospital when labor wasn't progressing as quickly as the midwives thought it should. One did deliver vaginally in the hospital and the other ended up with an emergency C-section. Both babies born healthy, thankfully.

Sections happen sooner to avoid these scenarios

I’ve never -that I can recall- heard of a situation where mom delivers in the car or somewhere unexpectedly needing medical care or realizing she would need a cesarean. Are you less likely to spontaneously go into labor if you would need a c-section? I’ve also never seen in these stories of the child or mother experiencing any complications. This is a wonderful thing but what are the chances?

Are these women less likely to have health issues?