second baby = easier labour?

[1982emmac]

I had a horrific 40 hour labour with my LO which resulted in delivery with ventouse and then forceps. Very traumatised and sort after. But not traumatised enough ass due number 2 in january and kind of looking forward to doing it all again?

A lot of people (especially midwife) have said it will be much easier this time, especially as there will only be 14 months between my two, so my body should remember what to do.

Generally speaking, has anyone has a better labour second time around?

 

[LouLou78]

I totally agree with your midwife. I have lost count the amount of women over the years I have encountered who have had an instrumental delivery on their first following a long labour and then subsequently deliver lovely quicker normal deliveries 2nd time around.

 

[1982emmac]

thanks for that, that's reassuring. 3 different women have said to me they loved every minute of their second labour! hmmmm i don't know whether I will love it but i am not as anxious now

 

[Minnyb]

Hi, I'm 18 weeks pregnant with my fifth and they definitely get easier (if not shorter). I had a very long labour with my first, but my second lasted only three hours and was definitely my best birth experience. The last one last 1.5 hours!

 

[Mary Jo]

I've only had the one baby thus far, so can't comment from personal experience, but it was true for my sister in law. first baby was a long labour followed by ventouse delivery, while second and third were very short (baby born less than an hour after arriving at hospital, no pain relief).

 

[1982emmac]

thanks girls

 

[Younglutonmum]

This is something i'm wondering too. My first labour was a long 34 hours & ended in a forceps delivery. Im terrified it will happen again

 

[LouLou78]

This is something i'm wondering too. My first labour was a long 34 hours & ended in a forceps delivery. Im terrified it will happen again

In my experience it is unlikely. The fact that you have birthed a baby vaginally goes in your favour for a lovely normal delivery. All the best to you. xx

 

[lynnikins]

yep defo easier second time round

 

[Emerald]

Im due in 6 days so heres hoping the second labour is much better than the first !! xx

 

[Kiddo]

I was 30 hours in labour with my first and 8.5 hours with my second. I also had a lesser tear second time round and didn't have to go to theatre to be stitched up.

 

[Freya]

Yes, my second birth a couple of weeks ago was much quicker, smoother and a very positive experience.

Work with your body where possible to work with labour, such as being upright and active, and consider using water or baths to help you and your body relax. You'll be a lot 'calmer' if that's the right word, because you know the signs of labour. So everything you went through last time will have made you physically and emotionally more prepared.

 

[jess1983]

My first was 19 hours My second was one hour and 15 minutes of active labor

 

[madasa]

Gosh, my second labour was SO much easier than my first! My first was pretty horrible all round, really. Only 16 hrs, but hard, hard labour.... I was frightened, panicked, I was stuck on my back, continuously monitored, 2 hours of purple pushing (still on my back), baby got "stuck" (hello?? I was in the stranded beetle position, is it any wonder??), ended up with an episiotomy and forceps. Recovery was so horrible I wanted to be back in L&D any time I needed to stand, sit, cough, sneeze, pee, poo, laugh, walk or consider having sex.

Contrast to baby #2 - 16 hrs of labour, most of it gentle and easy, just a couple of hours of more intense ctx at the end, free to push how and when I wanted (no coaching), a text book delivery in water, smooth and calm. I loved every second of it and want to do it all again

Second babies are usually easier I think. Most people I've spoken to who have more than one kid think so. Your body "knows" what to do, but there are other factors too. The first time, you are dealing with fear of the unknown. At least this time, you have a better idea of what you are going into, what you need to prepare more for, what you wish you'd done last time, etc etc etc.

My second baby was easier, partly because I stayed at home and I was much more relaxed and positive about it. I wrote a plan this time (I hadn't last time) because I was determined to have minimal interventions and stay off my back. Water was an absolute god send - first time round I'd been convinced that "waterbirth" was (in the words of eric cartman) a bunch of tree huggin' hippie crap! But I'd done a bit of homework and decided that maybe it wasn't just wishy washy nonsense after all

If I have any more babies, I'll hire a doula. Good, continuous practical and emotional support for you and your partner is helpful... even crucial for a lot of women.... It doesn't HAVE to be a doula, but I know that for me, none of my friends or family are likely to have the level of knowledge and passion for birth that a fellow doula would have, and THAT is the kind of person that I want - need! - supporting me through my birth.

 

[LockandKey]

this thread is so reassuring! I do want another much later down the road, but by labor and birth were horrid. Long story short, I ended up needing an epidural as my body wouldn't labor or progress properly after I got to 5cm. I got a 3rd degree episitomy cut, and DD was born with vacuum, forceps, and a broken collar bone. Hoping my next one goes tremendously better

 

[BellaPrincesa]

My second labour was only 15 minutes shorter than my first but it was much easier and smoother and I knew what to expect. It was a lovely experience all around

 

[2RockinBoys]

Im glad i decided to read these! My first was a long slow labour of 3day's with 15hours 'active' labour and 3hours pushing! ended up with the vontouse and episotomy delivery, but i would much rather that all over again any day than the thought of an epidural or a c-section! I do hope that this one is easier though, as i did pass out after delivery with exhaustion. Would be nice to have more than a few minutes together straight after birth ^.^

 

[xpensivtaste]

my first labour was pretty horrific. my son was extremely premature and had to be pulled out by hand....very painful. there were a lot of staff in the room and it was all such a blur to me as i was very young. unfortunately my sons major organs had not properly developed and he passed away shortly after birth. it was a horrible experience. my second labour tho, was very, very quick. i was getting contractions that were managable for maybe an hour before i needed to push, by the time i needed to push they moved me to the delivery suite and within 20 minutes my daughter was born, i dont remember it being a bad experience as it was very intense and all over so quick. i didnt even tear! hoping this birth will be as easy as the last