Those with more than 1, did you cope with the births in a similar way?

[cupcaker]

Hi, I went into labour with my son on his due date. I was given some induction drip to speed him along as he was showing signs of being distressed, so things moved along fairly quickly for a first birth I guess. He was born using gas and air only. Although I don't think it was particuarly easy, I did manage it.

What are my chances a second time managing this way? I understand things are not predictable. but did anyone manage in a similar,worse, or better way? I'd like to hear the stories either way.

I loved that after the birth I was quickly able to move (overall) and energised and buzzing and ready to enjoy him. Not feeling crap after drugs or being unable to move properly etc.

 

[xnewxmummyx]

I'm hoping the same too! I had a second degree tear which was sore but I was able to get up and get my dd and go to the loo etc so I'm hoping its the same this time. X

 

[1st time]

Great question!!! Would love to get an idea about this!!

 

[cupcaker]

Yes second degree tear here too but still felt "good" considering! I could hear a lady throwing up for ages in the shared bathroom after her birth, I really don't want that if possible! :-/

 

[CaptainMummy]

I got an epidural wth my first as like you was induced and put on pitocin and I was a big wimp. I think the fact that I was stuck to the bed played a big part in this. I got a second degree tear and a large graze which was horrible but I was up and about a few hours after the epidural and was walking around straight away (all be it like John Wayne!)

With number 2, i coped a lot better. I had a water birth and only used has and air for about 40 minutes. I was induced but all it took was a sweep and a dose of gel and when my contractions started, I was already 5/6cm! (Was 1cm when they gave me sweep and not feeling anything at all.) I only go a small first degree tear that didn't require stitches and I was up and about straight away and felt great!

I really hope this birth goes like my second, but my first could have been a lot worse to be fair... I guess we just don't know until it happens!

 

[MummyToAmberx]

Im going say its impossible to predict.

My labours were completely different, i managed pain in different ways.

My second i had SPD, pain from that was worse than my contractions.

My contractions stopped having breaks much earlier on 2nd time than 1st time. It was 27hr vs 6hr 20mins.

I did manage on less second time even though it was harder, hoping to cope with just water this time.

 

[Hoping4Four]

I was able to cope with my second birth better than my first because it was spontaneous labour and the pain built up more gradually than the induction I'd had with my first. I was in control, using gas and air and I had a fairly calm birth. I also avoided tearing, and I'd had a nasty 3rd degree tear with my first! She was only 5lbs but she came out like a speeding bullet, lol.

With my third I was also induced but it was a different experience altogether. The hospital was very busy so I felt left alone most of the time and my midwife wasn't listening to me. I told her I was in active labour and needed pain relief but instead she sent my husband home (visiting hours had ended) and I was left in the antenatal ward to moan through each pain, feeling out of control and miserable. When I was finally taken to delivery suite I was then left alone for 20 minutes until my husband came back, and then another 15 minutes later a midwife came in to see me and I was already pushing my son out. It was a quick birth and I coped with gas and air for the last part of the labour (and I avoided tearing again!) but I felt like my second birth was easier simply because of how I was treated. The real kicker is that I'd planned for a relaxed home water birth, and it ended up totally the opposite.

I'm praying things can be different this time.

 

[Yo_Yo]

1st time-4 hours, and a small tear. Midwife had me on my back which didn't help things along. Had lots of gas and air also had pethidine, which I think was the cause of dd1 being born blue and floppy as it was administered too close to delivery.

2nd time-35 minutes. I was adamant i would be up and about to let gravity help. Also wanted a water birth. So got in the pool and had gas and air-all went well and no tears at all.

3rd time-want a water birth. I do think each birth free the first is generally easier, as you know what you want/want to avoid.

 

[Spiffynoodles]

I had an epidural both times, but with my first I had to push for three hours, and by the time I pushed her out, my epidural had worn off, so I felt most of that, as well as the stitching. Also, my doctor gave me an episiotomy, and had to manually detach my placenta, since it had calcified and was stuck. So that was hard, and my recovery took the full 6 weeks before I felt back to normal.

With my second, I had a small tear along my episiotomy scar, and the healing was so much faster. By two weeks postpartum, I felt totally back to normal.

All around, it was so much better the second time!

 

[moter98]

I had epidural both times and was on pitocen both times. First labor was about 9 hours with manual removal of placenta and painful recovery.

Second labor was a dream! Only about 5 hours and 3 pushes and I was done. Placenta came right out that time and my recovery was so easy. I was surprised to be walking around right after. Sure, walking slower, but I didn't feel like I had a bowling ball between my legs ha! I really felt great after and am hoping it goes that well the third time around.

 

[sweetcheeks78]

I am watching this thread with interest, my first delivery was horrific! So much I would do differently given the chance.

 

[Buttercup84]

Hoping i'll cope better this time! With DD I got a second degree tear (they thought it was third degree at first) and lost 2.5 litres of blood which required a transfusion so I felt pretty rough for the first week or so. I've heard recovery is usually quicker with second or more births so fc!

 

[SisterRose]

My two births were very similar but I coped with each one very differently, in my opinion.

My first I was induced, they broke my waters and I went straight in to labour without needing to have the drip to start me contracting. I started to contract very regularly, almost back to back and was ready to push within 2+1/2 hours and was born after a 3 hour labour. I didn't cope very well, I was practically screaming and begging them to take the pain away. The midwife who was looking after me didn't believe that I was in active labour with things happening so quickly, because it was my first and basically told me to be quiet and to stop making a big deal out of things! She said it'd take a lot longer than that for me wanting to push and actually refused to check me when I said that I needed to
I think because it was my first, and I didnt know what was happening to me and why I was in so much pain for not being in active labour it must have scared the crap out of me and I panicked big time and that's why I reacted the way I did. I had pethidine and a bit of gas and air while pushing. If she'd have listened to me she'd have known she shouldnt have given me pethidine so close to giving birth too because it can cause complications with the baby after birth! she gave it to me about 30-40mins before pushing. Silly woman. I can honestly say that I was ready to run for the hills if she had of walked in to the delivery suite to be my midwife in my second labour. I remember her name and face. No way in hell will she come near me again

Second baby I was induced again, waters broke and I waited for labour but needed the drip. As soon as they started the drip I began to contract quickly the same as my last labour but because I knew what was happening with my body I breathed calmly through the contractions until I felt as though I needed something to take the edge off it a bit, so I asked for gas & air. About 45mins after starting gas & air I told them I was definitely ready to push and knew what it felt like from the first time. She was born after a 4 hour labour and I felt really good after and like I handled it sooo much better the second time around! I'm sure it's because I was calmer and more in control of myself, knowing what was coming.

Also my first labour was back to back so that could have added to the pain.

Hoping to have just gas&air this time too, but I'm open to whatever is needed when it comes down to it! You never know.