2nd time labour

[frogem366]

In 12 weeks time I am due to have our 2nd child. Labour & delivery is very much at the front of my mind. DD1 was back to back, I experienced the latent part if labour with contractions for 5days, on day 6 at 4cm they decided to induce me as I was exhausted. From induction to DD1's arrival was 7hrs 41min, with only a short 40mins of pushing...... Can anyone advise me of a difference in 2nd time labour, have you experienced back to back first time, and normal second?? Or normal both times with a much shorted labour time. I remember my last experience as being nothing but painful & slightly traumatic (this could be due to lack of sleep tho) my maternity until don't give epidurals.

Even if you have not experienced back to back what were your labour times all my midwife can tell me is that it is quicker 2nd time......1hr away from hospital, how quick is quicker???

I'm spending every spare minute on a ball, or lying on my left side trying desperately to avoid back to back 2nd time round

[findingherfeet]

I think it's totally random to be honest, my first was back to back 10 hours start to finish (including pushing for what seemed like forever!) she arrived a day before her due date.

Had my DS recently, he was six days overdue but oh my it was certainly the case of second baby comes quicker, 1 hour 45 mins start to finish and unplanned/unassisted home birth (zero pushing time he just shot out!)

Try not to worry too much, every pregnancy and birth is different and there isn't much you can do about it...

[ASmidgeofMidge]

My first labour was v similar to yours; DD was back to back and I had a latent phase lasting four days. Was exhausted by the time I eventually got into active labour and had an instrumental delivery. Second labour was worlds apart. I was induced (episodes of reduced movement) and ctx started after one pessary. DS was LOA so no back to back issues. (Have to admit I did nothing to encourage him into a good position beforehand. Knew DD was OP before first labour but birthing ball etc made no difference for me so I didn't bother in second pregnancy.) From first ctx after pessary to arrival of DS was 7 hrs and although painful (had gas and air and mobile epidural) the lack of exhaustion meant I was a far more active/positive participant iyswim and has made a massive difference to my recovery too (wrt physical and mental health). You can't predict what will happen this time around, but your body knows what to do and the likelihood is things will be easier.

Wishing you all the best

[learnasyougo]

I was olin labour for 72 hours despite induction. pre labour was excruciating due to his head compressing a nerve. I thought this degree of possible was just normal labour pain so tried to breathe through it. I was out of my mind though.

I wasn't progressing at all so they put me on synto drip. The pain of earlier (after ARM but before gas and air was offered) had led to no dilation and I thought I may be in transition. so before synto I insisted on an epidural.
It didn't work (well, but where I needed it) so carried on with had and air.

3hr pushing phase, pushing like Billyo, episiotomy, forceps, pph and nerve damage to my bladder. horrendous and led to a week in post natal to recover and tests.

This time, second time around, baby got into LOA position through no effort on my part. I had shooting on the morning of 39 plus 5. Had mild period pain feeling at 4pm so ran a bath. had 3 ctx in bath.
ctx stayed quite mild but at 7pm got the TENS going while I had dinner.
8pm called my mum to come to look after toddler.
When she arrived I was into my breathing through each ctx but pain was not excruciating like with my first labour. She urged me to get taxi to hospital anyway.
ten pm at triage I pray I'm more than 2cm. triage nurse seems busy so we wait. more connections but pain ok. assessed as 6cm so birth pool is filled.
I got in pool at 11pm. blissful at easing ctx. I'm relaxed and chatty but politely ask if I could have some of that gas and air.

Felt a pop during a ctx (my waters) then a heave like a push. ooh, I'd this the second stage?
nope. Not seen nothing yet. Next ctx i hear myself roar and this almighty force in me statts heaving out a baby. i can feel a solid object between my this and a slight stingy feeling. Two more satisfying heaves and out pops a baby boy. 45 minutes after getting into the pool.

I was aghast. That was so easy. That was so easy. I kept repeating it. The midwife laughed. afterwards I realised I had LOVED the birth and would do it again tomorrow.
poles apart from my first labour. No part of my second labour came anywhere close to the pain of my first. and was 7 hours from gentle twinge to baby, not 72 hrs from first pain to forceps.

second babies are easier it seems.

[learnasyougo]

shooting was meant to be spotting and the horrendous labour at the start was my FIRST labour. Just to be clear.

[frogem366]

Awe thank you ladies for your stories and your encouraging words. First birth still seems very raw and very out if control once in second stage, but that could be because by the time it came i was exhausted. I received a de brief the day i was discharged, and again at home, i read my notes 100's of times and yes it all seems really straight forward once we got started, i just wish i remembered it that way........
Its encouraging to hear 2nd time was easier.......will find out in 13 weeks.
i just feel that evertime i try and talk to midwife about my concerns its almost brushed to one side.........
Thanks millions again ladies xxx