Positive second baby labour stories please!

[Newmummy0306]

Hi mums!

I’m 36 weeks pregnant with my second, I’d love to hear some positive 2nd baby labour stories!

I was induced with my first and can’t believe how intense it was so quickly and stayed like it the whole way through. I was induced only 3 days over because of protein in my urine and after having the pessary at 2pm, contractions strong and every 2-3mins from 10pm, my DS was born at 11.49am the next day! He’s now almost 14 months ❤️

I’m so keen to avoid induction this time but I don’t know what to expect having been induced last time! I’m hearing that it’s usually a lot quicker the second time around? 🤞🏼

How did your 2nd labour start and how quickly was baby born??

Looking forward to your answers xx

[Readyfortheschoolhols]

First dc was a long 17 hours. Grim.
Second I went from asleep to waters breaking at midnight to holding ds at 2.55am!!
Third and fourth both 3 hours also but started with contractions then waters going.

[BertrandRussell]

I was in the bath with dd at 6.30 and having a cup of tea gazing at 10lb6 newborn ds at 10.20. He was nearly born in the car park!

[Lmj25]

I'm wondering this too 22+4 with my 2nd and really hoping it's not as long as my first

[JurassicGirl]

First took 39 hours, epidural, 2nd degree tear & stitches! She was also 10 days late! Home 8hrs afterwards.

2nd was 2 days late, 6hrs start to finish & born in the bath at hospital :) home 4hrs afterwards. Just gas & air.

3rd was 1 day early, 2hrs start to finish, home within 6hrs. Just gas & air.

[PerspicaciaTick]

I was induced with DC1, began on the Wednesday and gave birth on the Sunday. All very calm and steady.
With DC2 I woke up at 5:30am with contractions, parents collected DC1 at 10am so we could go to hospital. Came home from hospital, turned round and went back to hospital where DC2 arrived 15mins later at 2pm. Much more frenetic and slit shocking.
Good luck

[PerspicaciaTick]

That should be slightly shocking. But the typo is pretty accurate

[PhoenixDown]

Sweep at 3pm Friday. Went in to birth centre with moderate but manageable contractions at 11.30 am Saturday, was 3cm dilated. DS born in the pool at 3.40pm, almost in his membranes, my waters went just as his head was born!

I won't lie, the last hour or so was very intense and painful, due to progressing quickly and probably also partly due to his bloody big head - but it was over quickly! Best of luck to you x

[Peakypolly]

Induced when overdue with DD1. Took pessary and drip in order to start labour. Ended up with forceps delivery.
I refused induction with DS despite dire warnings. Due on January 13th, went into labour naturally on February 1st. He arrived, with no assistance, 22 minutes after arriving at the maternity ward and weighed a pound and a half more than DD1.
All went to pot again for number three though.

[Gottokondo]

SIL's birth of DC2 lasted for 4,5 hours from first contraction to birth. No problems or stitches or anything. Of course there was pain involved but she could cope. She didn't even use gas &air. It was a lot quicker than DC1.

[SoyDora]

First was pretty dire. 48 hours (of which 24 hours were contractions every 3 mins), ventouse delivery and 2nd degree tear.
3rd was a breeze! Wasn’t particularly short (around 15 hours) but far less painful, I was sitting up chatting to DH on the birthing ball until half an hour before delivery, 3 pushes and she was out. No tearing.

[DappledThings]

Induced with first two. 2nd started with waters going at 39+4. Mild cramps rest of that day, more intense contractions overnight and headed to hospital at 4 am. Until 6.30 was fine just with TENS. After that had gas and air. Baby born at 8.30.

With first had a ton of stitches that took weeks to heal. This one was 2 stitches and barely any pain from them by day 2. Couldn't believe the difference.

Mostly though 2nd time felt so much like it was just going as it should. It's a cliché but this time I totally got what people mean about their body just knowing what to do. None of the pain was as painful. It felt so much more purposeful and right somehow.

[IVEgotthePOWER]

16 months between dc1 and 2

Both slow labour for days then 12 hours full on labour

Gas and air, and pethidine with both

Dc2 harder to push out than dc1 but he was bigger with large head

No stitches with either

[mineofuselessinformation]

First dc, 36+ hours of labour (I honestly can't remember and don't want to revisit it). Back to back, involuntary pushing, swollen cervix, episiotomy, drip due to slow progress.
Second dc, laboured pretty much the same way at home (for me contractions every three minutes right from the start), arrived at hospital 7 cm dilated and dc was born 1 hr 40 mins later.
I think midwives are right when they tell you your body has been through it before and knows what to do. It certainly was for me, with the only downside being I had a tear along the lines of my episiotomy scar.
I honk the second time around is much more instinctive for a mother - I certainly hope it is for you.

[mineofuselessinformation]

Argh, not honk, think!

[shuggas]

First birth, horrendous, drawn out, very traumatic I still struggle about it. 2nd pregnancy did a lot of work on hypno birthing at home reading and tapes and met with senior midwife to talk about the trauma of first birth.

2nd pregnancy I was 2 weeks overdue, in for an appointment to be induced. I calmly told them they don't need to as I was in labour, they insisted I have to speak to doctor about the risk of declining induction.. I told him I was in labour, he didn't believe me and demanded I was checked.. I was 6cm dilated, in labour and popped next door to give birth in a pool less than 2 hours later, my first I said NEVER again, 2nd .. again! That was amazing. It can be done

[DieAntword]

First time was 3 days of back labour and 8hrs of phoning triage and being told it’s not time yet. Finally going in for pain relief (still being told it’s not time because contractions aren’t in a consistent pattern) only to be told it’s too late for an epidural and having a baby soon after. Tore. Stitches. Lost significant blood.

Second time 12hrs after contractions start (once again they never become consistent in duration) I phone triage in tears because the pain is so bad and they say don’t come in unless I can’t bear the pain anymore. Lying in bed I’m thinking to myself if I don’t go in I’m going to have a home birth. Go in. Sceptical midwife examining me says I’m not fully engaged. I ask her to check dilation please. She does it just to humour me. 9cms. Admitted. Have a baby. Didn’t tear. Got to go home a mere couple of hours later and avoid maternity ward entirely. Yeah baby!

[DobbyIsAGoodElf]

My first was 5 hours from waking up to holding baby, was a bit stressful at the end and slowed down massively when I was forced to lay down for monitoring after they found baby had done a poo inside. Had episiotimy and later split my stitches.
Second was an hour of contractions and born before the midwife arrived to a planned homebirth. Not so much as a graze and no stitches.
Pg with the third now and I'll not be leaving the house after 38 weeks

Seconds are generally quicker and easier but it's not guaranteed

[Hitsnooze]

First diagnosed with pre-eclampsia at 39+6. Induced with pessary at 5am, contractions start at 9am. Dd arrived 4.20pm.
Second - mild cramps with on off non painful contractions for around 24 hours. Went to bed, woken up by awful contraction. No waiting straight to hospital. 4 contractions in the space of 8 minutes! Dd2 born 30 mins later! She's now 2 days old . Very quick labour but was out and home 3 hours later. No stitches!