Are subsequent labours more painful than the first?

[kkllww]

Several friends & colleagues with 2 kids have told me that while their 2nd labours tended to be quicker, they were a lot more painful. Is this true? This is making me a bit apprehensive! :/

[RobinSparkles]

Not for me. 2nd labour was a breeze compared to the first.

It was hours shorter and much less painful.

[Coughle]

No, not true... Every pregnancy is different.

[dobedobedo]

For me my second labour was a hundred times more painful that my first. Much shorter though. Also, didn't have to push at all the second time, baby just shot out.

I don't think you can say all second labours are more painful though.

[flagnogbagnog]

My first labour was by far the most painful.

I agree that they are all different and you can't predict at all. But for what it's worth second was a breeze, seriously the best one. Third wasn't good because if alsorts of complications and fourth was fine.

[WeeClype]

My 1st and 4th labours were the worst (both girls), 2nd and 3rd were the easiest (both boys).

[TedAndEd]

Yes my second was faster and more painful.

[MummytoMog]

Noooo. It was quicker, but I knew had to use the Gas and Air properly the second time round, and it was much less painful. Helped not having to push for six hours and then have forceps too of course.

[kkllww]

Ok, this is encouraging - seems that most people have found it's not the case on this board. Guess it's just luck of the draw!

[TheGirlOnTheLanding]

Second wasn't worse for me either. In fact, I think I worked with it better than first time around, because i kind of knew what to expect, and was less scared, and I certainly managed to communicate what I wanted more effectively (position I felt better labouring in, etc) than I did first time around, when is basically did what the MW told me.

[Littlefrenchmummy]

My second labour was just as painful and just as long ( 30 hours) and the after labour contractions ( mainly during breastfeeding) were agony !!

Good luck ! xx

[gastrognome]

Both were equally painful. But I was exhausted both times (before labour even began), which I think had a bearing on my ability to manage the pain.

[LastOneDancing]

How does anyone remember how painful it was first time?! My mind has blanked it all out... or maybe all the gas and air I was gobbling up has mashed my memories of the event thank the lord

Does it come flooding back when your second labour starts?!

[Greengrow]

2nd have always been easier for just about all women which is why doctors have often said first baby in hospital, others where you choose and not without some sense behind this (although I prefer home births). All mine were pretty long - 20+ hours, but the first was the hardest.

[pommedeterre]

1st = scary, painful, epidural and ventouse/forceps combo in theatre, felt like it went on for days
2nd = in control, just gas and air, 4 hours or so
3rd = ?

Please, please, please let the 3rd be like the 2nd! All 38 week inductions.

[yumyumpoppycat]

I was induced for my first so the active contractions were far more painful. I also felt in control and had no pain relief second time and was only in hospital for an hour before I delivered.

At risk of sounding a nob I was terrified about giving birth the second time but read a lot around natural birth so I knew more what was happening to my body and it was actually an amazing experience (as far as hospital births go) in the end.

[yumyumpoppycat]

Oh Pom my 3rd was v similar but cord was wrapped around dds neck and the midwife wasn't as calm as the others but that's just luck.

[Sapat]

2nd was the easiest, even though baby weighed 9lbs11 and got shoulder dystocia. 3rd was the worst but was induced.
This said I coped for both with just Gas & Air, though near the end of the 3rd I really wanted pain relief but there was no time as I went from 2cm to baby out in 11 minutes. The pain was unbelievable and boy did I scream.

[Sapat]

LastOne yes, you blank it out and as soon as you start labour again you go fuck that hurts, why on earth am I doing this again, never again...
And I look at my 3rd baby now and go, bless, I would do it all over again tomorrow.

[PavlovtheCat]

First was longer, and involved ventouse and manual removal of the placenta. Second was much shorter, more straight forward, but the contractions were much much more painful and full on intensity very quickly. Although, I had no time for anything other than gas and air in second (had one shot of diamorphine in the first) so that might explain it.

[GrouchyKiwi]

I too found my second more painful, though it was faster. For me, the reason is that I didn't get any space between contractions once labour was fully established so I didn't get any respite for 2 1/2 hours. With my first labour things were not so rushed so I had good breaks between the big contractions.

Post-birth is MUCH worse second time, IMO. After pains are horrible.

[Wolfiefan]

My first was back to back. Lots of pain in my back.
Second was vvvv quick.

[Wolfiefan]

Oh God yes the after pains. Get ready to ask for pain relief if you need it!

[pommedeterre]

That's good yum! Fingers crossed. Cord was wrapped round dd1's neck but doctor just swore under his breath and mumbled 'every f*cking baby I deliver at this hospital has the cord around its neck' so never felt like a big deal to me!

[AlwaysHopeful]

Not at all. I didn't realise how far on I was until the very last moment. I managed the pain by breathing second time. First time I was very high on gas and air!

Didn't suffer from after pains like I expected to either. I think I just got lucky

[hyperspacebug]

My first was back to back too. 20 hrs of labour, back pain wasn't pleasant but not too painful like 11 out of 10.
Second was only 3 hrs, but not more painful.

The rate of contractions was the same for both.