Big age gap, what was the second labour like?

[emyandpotato]

I'm planning a big age gap (10 years) between my first and second baby. I had a very long but totally natural labour with my first and I didn't find it too bad at all. I've just read though that a long age gap can mean a difficult second labour, prematurity etc. etc. Does anyone have any experiences with a large age gap?

 

[Noodlebear]

Hey, sorry I don't have an answer but I'm planning an age gap of almost 5 years so have been wondering this myself! Stalking!

 

[qe76]

20 year gap for me! The first time was so hard- three days!! I heard if there is 8 years or more gap your body resets and it's going to be long like a first time.. I hope not..

 

[Noodlebear]

My first was also 3 days and was just generally not a positive experience so I'm a little relieved to hear that I'm still in the 'fairly close together' category. Realistically I'm sure we won't have the same problems again, births like that don't happen often and hopefully #2 will be a lovely time in comparison x

 

[emyandpotato]

Same for me! How odd! Went in to labour about 1am on the 8th and he was born at 6am on the 11th. I actually didn't find it that bad though, probably cos I didn't think it was real labour! What really worries me is the idea of problems with birth/low birth weights etc.

 

[Mrsb3]

Hi, 13 year Gap there. Both labours 16 hours start to Finnish only with my 2nd my waters broke (first sign) but with my first I had the runs,( sorry tmi) I had an epidural with my first and natural birth with 2nd so I can't compare too much pain wise. However, I can only describe you how my 2nd was and boy was it a shock! I literally thought I was going to die and that no one could survive this pain!!! Got stuck in transition at 9cm for what seemed like an eternity of hell. No break what so ever between contractions.... It was constant and very traumatic. My hubby described it as a scene from the exorcist as I couldn't keep still and was projectile vomiting. That said, my first could have been the same but Ill never know as I had the wonderful epidural. I'm due again in 6 weeks and there won't be time for an epidural as I only gave birth 10 months ago.... I am scared but I've been through the worst and survived so it won't be a shock like before. Every labour is different, my mum said if she had had my sister (4th baby) first it would have put her off having any more as the pain was beyond what she had experienced with the others.
Apparently her 2nd wasn't too bad!!

 

[Noodlebear]

That is really strange!! I remember being told over and over that it wasn't 'real labour' but I was positive it was and when I finally went in and demanded to be examined I was right lol. Went downhill from there

As a rule aren't second babies meant to be bigger than the first? (Obviously won't be true of every single one!)

 

[emyandpotato]

That is really strange!! I remember being told over and over that it wasn't 'real labour' but I was positive it was and when I finally went in and demanded to be examined I was right lol. Went downhill from there

As a rule aren't second babies meant to be bigger than the first? (Obviously won't be true of every single one!)

Same! I called up 2 days in and explained the situation, but my contracts were irregular and went from every 2 minutes to every five and then every ten then back to two/three minutes so they told me to call back when it was 'real'.

 

[jeanyern123]

Mum planned gaps w my siblings and I. Mum's 76. My oldest brother is 50. My sister is 40 and I'm 28. It's awesome!

 

[Mummy May]

That is really strange!! I remember being told over and over that it wasn't 'real labour' but I was positive it was and when I finally went in and demanded to be examined I was right lol. Went downhill from there

As a rule aren't second babies meant to be bigger than the first? (Obviously won't be true of every single one!)

My first was 8lb 10.5oz and second was 9lb 1 3/4oz I make big babies xx

 

[mara16jade]

My sister and I are 12 years apart. My mom said that her labor with me was maybe 2 hours shorter, and recovery was a bit longer since she was older than when she had my sister. And baby weight stuck on her harder too. But besides that, labor itself she was was pretty similar. My sister was just under 7lbs and I was 8lb4oz lol. I was chunky.

 

[Rhi_Rhi1]

Nearly 6 years between mine, first was 4 hours second an hour and a half