If you had ventouse/forceps with DC1...

[Isabella24]

...what happened in your second labour?

I had a long first labour - 26 hours - with no real build up; my contractions were painful and regular from the start. I had an epidural after 14 hours. I ended up with a ventouse, episiotomy and 2nd degree tear.

So just wondering what happened second time round to those who had a similar experience?

Thanks in advance x

[WhatWouldFreddieDo]

I had ventouse for dd1, but my 2 others were water-births with no intervention.

dd1 was big - 9lbs 4 - and the others were smaller, so that might have made a difference

[bluehearted]

I had a very difficult labour with ds1, very traumatic forceps delivery.
I had ds2 5 days ago by c section. I so wish I could have had a natural delivery with ds2 but I couldn't take the risk!

[Munxx]

Like you, my first labour ended in ventouse and a tear.

Second one was amazing, not even a tear.

Don't assume a tough first one means the same for your second, I had the same fears.

Good luck!

[bruffin]

Similsr to your first labour, but failed ventuese and had episiostemy and forceps in theatre in case they failed, which thankfully the didnt.
Dd came along 2years and 5 days later. 4 hours from waters breaking dd was born with a very tiny tear that healed itself within minutes.

[ArfurFoulkesayke]

DD1 was induced due to time elapsed since waters broke, epidural, spinal, then ventouse & forceps in theatre (last chance saloon before a EMCS which thankfully wasn't required) plus big tear. DD2 was home water birth with G&A, still had to go to hospital afterwards as another big tear but seemed to mend a lot better second time around. HTH and good luck

[frankie5]

I had a long labour like you and ventouse, although no tearing. I had flashbacks for a year after as I felt traumatised from it.

I was worried about having my dc2 but it was so much better. Shorter labour, less painful and no ventouse or forceps. I was so much happier and look back on it with positive memories.

So don't worry, you might have a great experience with your second.

[ajandjjmum]

DC1 was born using straightforward forceps. When I asked the GP of the likelihood of the same for DC2, he said that he'd delivered many first babies with forceps (old fashioned doctor!), but only one second baby, so it was very unlikely.

[Browneyesblue]

DC1 was a fairly fast labour, which ended with ventouse after a struggled to get him out! No build up - waters broke, and regular contractions followed straight after. He was 9lbs 1oz (38 weeks)

DC2 was a very fast labour - 1 hour 20 mins. No build up again - waters broke and contractions were immediately close and regular. No ventouse or other intervention was needed this time, but I did tear along my previous episiotomy scar (it healed nicely). He was bigger at 9lbs 3oz (also 38 weeks).

[milkjetmum]

Spinal-episiotomy-forceps with dd1. Felt wiped out for a few weeks afterwards.

Waterbirth with dd2, minor tear only (midwife said only stitched to stop bleeding rather than essential if that makes sense). At a softplay a few days later!

So totally different experience in final stages. But had long latent phase both times (knew I was in labour for 12hrs+ before I needed to go to hospital).

I think the main difference was that dd1 was back to back. After having dd2, I now know that I never felt dd1 move down (was unmistakable with dd2).

[Darquesse]

My first child was delivered with forceps and ventous, lots of stitches but no epidural or theatre trip. Local anaesthetic.

Second labour was one hour long. Literally start to finish from the first sign to holding baby. No stitches, no pain relief, baby was 2lb smaller though so could be why?

[Yardarm]

Mine v similar to Bruffin - first labour forceps and episiotomy. Second quick, no intervention, small tear on old scar. Third labour no intervention and no tearing. Experiences on here seem positive so far :-)

[DramaAlpaca]

I had a very similar experience to you with DC1, OP, only I had low forceps instead of ventouse.

DC2 was a straightforward, natural labour with no epidural required, just gas & air, and I pushed him out in 20 minutes with no difficulty. I tore a bit, though.

DC3 was very easy, a home birth with only g&a, a couple of quick pushes and no stitches.

[HumpheadWrasse]

DC1 - 40 hour labour, pethidine, epidural, forceps, bad tear

DC2 - 3.5 hour labour, g&a, waterbirth, no tear

So don't worry! Although midwife did say immediately after I'd had DC2 so easily that DC1 must have 'forged a path' . Cheek!

[AndHarry]

I had a long induced labour and a ventouse delivery with an episiotomy 1st time. Second time I had a fairly quick (7 hours I think start to finish) spontaneous labour, no assistance but a second degree tear.

[katheroo]

I had a terrible first labour which sounds similar to yours. My DS1 got stuck which resulted in a failed ventouse, episiotomy and forceps (and lots of stitches!) I was terrified about second birth 21 months later, but in fact she came out so easily, no interception and no tears! Don't ask about my third......

[Fairylea]

I had a 3 day induced labour ending in ventouse and I found the whole thing extremely traumatic. I fought tooth and nail to get an elective section for my second child. It was wonderful and I found the recovery easier than my vaginal birth!

[AngelinaCongleton]

An hour, straightforward, no intervention.

[LoveBeingAwakeInTheNight]

Dc1 ventouse and a bad 2 nd tear
Dc2 a just 2nd tear

[SouthBySouthWest]

Ventous and episiotomy with Dc1, after inductionb at 42wks, epidural and long pushing stage. PPH, and felt like crap for ages.

DS2 was 5 days early. Labour was fairly short and he popped out with maybe 3 pushes. Did tear, but so much more easy and back up on my feet almost immediately.

[Rosie55]

DC1 very long labour ending in ventouse and episiotomy.
DC2 quite long labour ending in waterbirth and just a couple of grazes. No comparison.

[vindscreenviper]

My first labour was very similar OP just a few hours shorter though, I lost a bit of blood and had to stay in hospital for 4 days afterwards so I just kept telling myself that the second couldn't possibly be worse. And it wasn't
DS2 practically fell out of me while I was on all fours huffing away like a good un' it was over so quickly that I never got to finish reading the copy of Hello my DH nicked from the day room (it was the Jordan/PA wedding too!). Six hours later I was sipping champagne in the bath prior to settling into my lovely bed and sleeping/bfing/sleeping for a couple of days. It was lovely.

[MajesticWhine]

Very similar 1st time round to the OP.
2nd time around had an emergency CS due to hyperextended position of baby's head, had a cervical tear and major haemorrhage too.
3rd, elective CS.

[loveableshoulder]

Dc1: waters broke, no labour, eventual induction ending in forceps delivery. She just didn't want to come out. Started Sunday lunchtime, birth Friday evening.

Dc2: home water birth with no complications.

[PenguinsIsSleepDeprived]

Long labour with DC1. Dragged out 2.5 days. Still at 3cm after 2 days so drip, epidural, forceps, 2nd degree.

With no. 2, 9 hours, waterbirth. no drugs. Still a tear but she shot out rather fast.

no. 3. 4 hours. Graze.

[ZebraZeebra]

Oh this is SUCH a good thread! Pregnant with DC2, had a very similar first labour to everyone else - induction at 41+5, 35 hours, back to back, episiotomy and forceps. Completely traumatised afterwards. Hoping very much to get into a good frame of mind and have the courage to go for a water birth at home.