Second Birth Experiences Please

[Waiting4bb]

I'm 25 weeks with our second baby and lately I've been thinking a lot about what this birthing process will be like. My first went really smoothly and quickly for a first time. I was induced with Pitocin because my water broke but only trickled out and I didn't go into active labor in the required amount of time (was planning a home birth). My contractions picked up fast and I didn't need very much Pit. I had outrageous back pain (baby was sort of turned) and once I reached active labor nothing helped much. Then had to pee, liked being on the toilet, and then found out I was 9cm and I started wanting to push. Went onto the bed and used the pushing bar and pushed out our baby girl in 1 hour. So very painful yes, but quick. I had a third degree tear which I think is mostly due to the fact that the midwife in charge didn't coach me on my pushing at all. The recovery was pretty brutal. I had trouble breastfeeding and my body was almost in shock. I couldn't stop thinking about the birth for such a long time after it happened. We are planning a home birth again, and Lord willing it will go that way this time. I would love to hear some experiences on second births. Good/bad/whatever! Thanks ladies!

 

[ttc bubby no2]

I had a fairly good first birth in hospital. I was induced but with gels which isn't as bad as the Pitocin. It was a 4 hour active labour and just over an hour pushing. I ended up with a 2nd degree tear and was probably a bit shocked after the experience but not as much as it sounds like you were. I imagine a bit of shock is normal, especially with a quick labour and the first time as you just don't know what to expect until it actually happens.

Second time I had a great water birth at home. It was a quick labour again, 2 hours active just over 20 mins pushing but I wasn't as shell shocked afterwards. Breastfeeding was amazingly easy as he just latched on with no issues (it took a while the first time and DS1 was a sleepy baby). Also no tearing so I recovered so much more quickly. I think the reason I didn't tear was partly from the water but also because I didn't actually 'push' him out. My midwife said to breathe him out and that is what I did. With my first I actively pushed and that is why I tore.

Good luck!

 

[Waiting4bb]

I had a fairly good first birth in hospital. I was induced but with gels which isn't as bad as the Pitocin. It was a 4 hour active labour and just over an hour pushing. I ended up with a 2nd degree tear and was probably a bit shocked after the experience but not as much as it sounds like you were. I imagine a bit of shock is normal, especially with a quick labour and the first time as you just don't know what to expect until it actually happens.

Second time I had a great water birth at home. It was a quick labour again, 2 hours active just over 20 mins pushing but I wasn't as shell shocked afterwards. Breastfeeding was amazingly easy as he just latched on with no issues (it took a while the first time and DS1 was a sleepy baby). Also no tearing so I recovered so much more quickly. I think the reason I didn't tear was partly from the water but also because I didn't actually 'push' him out. My midwife said to breathe him out and that is what I did. With my first I actively pushed and that is why I tore.

Good luck!

Thank you for sharing your stories.
Wow it sounds like both births went really well for you. That's awesome. Mine wasn't that bad, just very intense for awhile. The real butt kicker was the recovery. I couldn't relax! The nursing issues were what frustrated me the most. This time should be easier since my daughter stopped only a few weeks ago. That's very cool you did a water birth at home the second time. Sounds exactly like what I want to do. From what I've read it seems like most of the time the pushing is way different after you've had a baby already. Everything is all stretched out. Haha.
Thanks! This helps put my nervousness to rest.

 

[ttc bubby no2]

Thanks! This helps put my nervousness to rest.

You're welcome Although I think I make my births sound easier than they were, it was still painful and all throughout DS2's birth I was just saying to myself I never want to do this again lol. It is amazing how quickly you forget as I keep toying with the idea of a 3rd now! I am thinking if I do have another I would look at hypnobirthing or something to try not to focus on the pain so much.

 

[Eleanor ace]

1st labour:
Length of labour: 6 hours 15 minutes total (0cm-birth)
Pushing time: 2 hour
Delivered: On my back on the bed
Tear: 3rd/4th, 50+ stitches in theatre

2nd labour:
Length of labour: Not sure as I was 3cm for a few weeks before having LO. I was 8cm when I got to the hospital. But going from when my contractions started to make me think "ooh maybe this is it!" I'd guess at my labour being about 8/9 hours
Pushing time: 14 minutes
Delivered: in the water
Tear: 1st degree and tiny 2nd degree, no stitches

I had really good labours but the 2nd was better pain wise. Both were back to back and not being on my back really helped with that! The water helped with the pain and was really relaxing. Pushing was more painful with my 2nd but lasted such a short time it didn't matter lol.

 

[Mrs Cupcake]

first birth: over due so induced with pessery. active labour about 6 hours but i didnt get any gas and air until 8cm as didnt need it. baby pushed out in 30 mins. minor graze and one stitch.

2nd birth: 3 days over due date natural labour. active labour maybe 4 hours but didnt know i was in labour. examined at home and found to be 10cm. baby delievered in 8 minutes. 2 pushes!

i didnt find my first to be that difficult but the second honestly was quite easy. no damage at all. i think you will be fine second time around! esp as your first wasnt too bad. x

 

[NDH]

My first labour started out much like yours. 10 days "overdue", waters were just trickling for over 24 hours (and after the first few hours. 8-9 hours before I started contracting and they weren't very strong or close together (15 - 20 mins apart). It was a couple hours after the contractions started dh took me in for monitoring (against my better judgment) and they kept me there for hours til 3am as the heartbeat was decelling occasionally. They let me go home to rest and we went back in the morning. Was 24 hours since water broke by then and contractions were still weak and trace was still not what they were wanting to see so at noon syntocinon drip was started. She was posterior for much of the labour and I had a hard time coping with the back pain but coped pain relief free and she was born 8 1/2 hours after the syntocinon was started. Classed as 6 1/2 hours active labour, of which 2 1/2 hours I was pushing and 2 hours I had the urge to push but wasn't allowed to. By far the worst part of labour. I had a minor second drgree tear but no major issues healing and breastfeeding was great. Felt like I'd been hit by a truck for two weeks though from being so tense resisting the urge to push and pulling on dh with all my might.

Second birth was so different. Firstly bub was breech which meant a 3 hour drive to a breech supportive hospital or a cesarean. I chose the 3 hour drive. Woke up at 11:30pm with contractions less than 5 minutes apart and waters intact. Arrived at hospital at 4:20 expecting to get checked and go to a hotel for the rest of the night and probably part of the day as the contractions were so not intense at all. Was found to be almost 4cm when they got around to checking me at 5:30 but still expected there to be hours to go. An hour after that I was suddenly in transition and at 6:40ish I got the urge to push and Chloe was born at 6:50. I didn't tear at all, just had a minor graze and honestly in was on such a high I didn't even feel like I'd just pushed a baby out. Went home that same night and felt amazing. Can't even say it was a good recovery as I didn't feel like there was anything to recover from!

 

[Waiting4bb]

My first labour started out much like yours. 10 days "overdue", waters were just trickling for over 24 hours (and after the first few hours. 8-9 hours before I started contracting and they weren't very strong or close together (15 - 20 mins apart). It was a couple hours after the contractions started dh took me in for monitoring (against my better judgment) and they kept me there for hours til 3am as the heartbeat was decelling occasionally. They let me go home to rest and we went back in the morning. Was 24 hours since water broke by then and contractions were still weak and trace was still not what they were wanting to see so at noon syntocinon drip was started. She was posterior for much of the labour and I had a hard time coping with the back pain but coped pain relief free and she was born 8 1/2 hours after the syntocinon was started. Classed as 6 1/2 hours active labour, of which 2 1/2 hours I was pushing and 2 hours I had the urge to push but wasn't allowed to. By far the worst part of labour. I had a minor second drgree tear but no major issues healing and breastfeeding was great. Felt like I'd been hit by a truck for two weeks though from being so tense resisting the urge to push and pulling on dh with all my might.

Second birth was so different. Firstly bub was breech which meant a 3 hour drive to a breech supportive hospital or a cesarean. I chose the 3 hour drive. Woke up at 11:30pm with contractions less than 5 minutes apart and waters intact. Arrived at hospital at 4:20 expecting to get checked and go to a hotel for the rest of the night and probably part of the day as the contractions were so not intense at all. Was found to be almost 4cm when they got around to checking me at 5:30 but still expected there to be hours to go. An hour after that I was suddenly in transition and at 6:40ish I got the urge to push and Chloe was born at 6:50. I didn't tear at all, just had a minor graze and honestly in was on such a high I didn't even feel like I'd just pushed a baby out. Went home that same night and felt amazing. Can't even say it was a good recovery as I didn't feel like there was anything to recover from!

That's terrible they didn't allow you to push when you felt the urge! How frustrating. I can relate to feeling like a truck ran over you. I don't know if I mentioned I had a third degree tear which was hard to relax with. On the positive side that is great you were able to go somewhere to have your breech baby. So many women don't realize that there are other options!! Thank you for sharing.

 

[Sweedot]

1st birth 2011

Induced due to low birth weight and failing placenta
Day 1, low dose pitocin and folley bulb
Day 2, low dose pitocin and pessary
Day 3, low dose pitocin and citotec
Day 4, woke up lost mucous plug, started pitocin, water broke at 11:00 am, baby born at 5:04 pm, epidural at 7cm, one hour after epidural started pushing, pushed for over an hour, 3rd degree tear.

Second baby 2013

Induced again ( against wishes) almost one week overdue...they said fluid was borderline and my blood pressure had two iffy readings.

Admitted at 12:30, cervix was checked and 2cm dilated, 50% effaced.
Pitocin started at 3:30pm, waters were ruptured at 9:00pm, was 3cm dilated and 75% effaced.

Labour picked up pretty quickly, Laboured upright with continuous monitoring as baby was high up. Checked at 11:00pm, 5cm...laboured side to side and then on all fours for an hour and a half. Checked at 12:30 7cm and transition started, I waled around, monitors held on, felt baby engage low and within 10 minutes had push urge. Squatted onthebed and baby flew out within 2 pushes at 12:44am. No epidural or pain meds, 2nd degree tear.

Second labor was faster, faster induction, less pushing and no pain meds. Still issapointed in the hospital for pushing induction, but was better than first time around.

 

[ClairAye]

My first birth was awful. 38 hours from waters breaking, 37 hours of contractions and almost 3 hours of pushing. I got an infection from my waters being broken for so long, he was distressed, I had meconium in my waters, I didn't dilate on my own, I was supposed to have an EMCS but luckily got away with forceps and an episiotomy. I had an epidural, it was topped up, I had morphine twice and a lot of gas and air. I was in hospital for 4 nights after he was born too.

I gave birth to my second 5 days ago, my contractions were regular for about 8/9 hours, 20 minutes before she was born my waters went, then 10 minutes after they went I started pushing and she was out in 8 minutes with no intervention, just a very small 1st degree tear which only required one stitch. I went from the start of contractions (8pm) until around 4am with either no pain relief, a TENS or the bath, around 4am I had the gas and air and pushed on a mix of that and no pain relief (born at 5.08am), I found it so much easier this time, I think it went perfectly, especially compared to last time! I was also out of hospital 17 hours after she was born

 

[Cinnamon Girl]

Thank god for this thread I am due my second in April and I am terrified glad to read it is easier

 

[CountryMomma]

1st Birth: Went into labor on 39+6 and DS was born on 40+1. 36 hours from start of contractions 5 minutes apart to birth. Contractions didn't start off dull and build they started off kicking my ass at 5 minutes apart and lasting over a minute. Was sent home from the hospital three times after two membrane sweeps because I wasn't dilating, after the third time I refused to leave the hospital again without my baby. Finally got to 4cm after about 24 hours and got my epidural because I was physically and emotionally done. Waters broke several hours after my epidural was in and I started pushing about 4 hours after that. Pushed for about an hour, 3rd degree tear.

2nd birth: Induced at 39 weeks, labor was about 7 hours from start to finish. Went to hospital at 8am, got folley catheter inserted, fell out a few hours later when I was at 4cm, got the drip started and had my waters broken. Contractions started right on top of each other right away, got my epi at 7cm. Went from 4cm to 10cm in about 2 hours. Pushed 2 times, no tearing.

So my second one was WAY better than my first.

 

[Mrs Doddy]

To the op your story is the same as mine - keeping my fingers crossed it will be a different experience this time - I would love a water birth

 

[Waiting4bb]

To the op your story is the same as mine - keeping my fingers crossed it will be a different experience this time - I would love a water birth

I think the experience we went through is very common. Hoping you get your water birth! It sounds like we'll have it easier this time around. Hopefully we get our home birth this time.

 

[Waiting4bb]

Thank you to all the ladies who shared their stories. It really does help to hear all these positive experiences, especially after such hard first times. I want to prepare myself for any outcomes, but really really praying for a home birth. Even if the pain is the same as last time, I know I can handle it now. Just seriously don't want another induction and another hospital stay!!

 

[Meredith2010]

First labour - was 7 days overdue, went into labour naturally at about midday. Official labour (from 4cm) was 1hr 56 minutes and was great other than nasty midwives who wouldn't believe I was in labour and kept trying to chuck me out of the labour ward!

I had a de-brief 6 months later and the head of midwifery at the hospital admitted various failings (refusing me any pain relief, even gas and air) which made a massive difference to me, and said I'd be taken seriously next time.

Fast forward 12 months, I delivered baby no 2. This time labour was 9 minutes but it was a totally different experience and I loved every second of it. I've never felt such a natural high in my life - I spent 12 hours just staring at my little girl next to me! It was just brilliant.

 

[Waiting4bb]

First labour - was 7 days overdue, went into labour naturally at about midday. Official labour (from 4cm) was 1hr 56 minutes and was great other than nasty midwives who wouldn't believe I was in labour and kept trying to chuck me out of the labour ward!

I had a de-brief 6 months later and the head of midwifery at the hospital admitted various failings (refusing me any pain relief, even gas and air) which made a massive difference to me, and said I'd be taken seriously next time.

Fast forward 12 months, I delivered baby no 2. This time labour was 9 minutes but it was a totally different experience and I loved every second of it. I've never felt such a natural high in my life - I spent 12 hours just staring at my little girl next to me! It was just brilliant.

What a shame when the midwives don't listen! They think because it is your first baby it will take a long time when that obviously isn't always the case. Sheesh! I don't think I would want to go back after that negative experience! I can't believe your labors go so fast. What is your secret? Haha. I thought my eight and a half hour labor was quick.

 

[NDH]

9 minutes! Oh my goodness that's fast!

 

[skyesmom]

9 minutes??? that's a world record or what??? for sure the fastest one i've ever read of on BNB. congrats girl!!!

 

[shinona]

Ds was a tough labour, about 45 hours from first contraction to him being born by foreceps in theatre with an epidural, spinal and episiotomy. Pretty traumatic tbh. I pushed for well over 3 hours. Recovery was painful.
DD was a breeze by comparison. First proper contractions were at about 1pm when we were dropping ds at my mum's as I was 12 days late and going in to be induced. Contractions nowhere near as sore and thought they were braxton hicks. Examined at 5pm and i was 3cm. Had 2 paracetemol and coped fine with my tens til about 9pm when it got pretty sore. Taken to labour ward at 10.30 and got g&a. Waters broke and urge to push took me and dd was born in 3 pushes at 11.40pm. Mw was totally taken by surprise as it went so quickly. I did tear but not badly and recovered so easily xx