Painless 2nd labour?

[MamaMimi]

I have just noticed Jackamamas thread from May/beg.June where she asks how it is possible for labour to not hurt too badly.

It prompted me to ask something I've been wondering lately as I'm expecting dc2 in 3 weeks, although I realise I'll never get a definitive answer as everyone is different, but I am just after anyone else's experiences.

Has anyone had a pain free 1st labour/birth and then had the same luck with their 2nd?

I don't know how or why but my labour with dd1 was completely pain free. I had actually gone into hospital 9 days earlier than my due date to be induced the next morning cos the fluid was low. I had a good night's sleep in hospital and dp arrived next morning before things were going to be started.

When the midwife examined me before the pessary was used she informed me that I was 7cm dilated and asked if I had any pain, which I didn't.

I walked through to the labour ward, dp called my mum who I also wanted there and once she arrived we all nibbled on snacks and read mags. I had an odd bounce on the birthing ball but was hooked up to a monitor so wasn't easy. The monitor readings suggested the contractions were there but not very strong, the MW joked to my mum that "she could do better!". The whole time I just felt like I needed to go to the loo, but was told it was just babies head pressing on my back passage!

After a while, as dilaton had come to a bit of a stand still, the MW broke my waters. Not long after that I was sat on the birthing ball eating some crisps when I felt a bit funny and mum said I went pale. The MW got me up on the bed and checked and said it was time to start pushing. And that's another thing, I had NO urge to push. I had to just focus in on the slight tightening I was feeling in waves at that point and bear down when I felt them start. DD was born 30 mins later. In fact, once her head and shoulders were out I leant down and pulled her out myself with the final push, it was lovely.

Throughout I didn't once consider pain relief as nothing was hurting at all. I realise that my experience was highly unusual, although I'm sure not unique so I just genuinely want to know if anyone else had this kind of pain free birth with their first and gone on to have it as easy with their next birth.

I'm just looking for some sort of hope that I will have a similar experience to the first time. Although, having said that, the pregnancy has been different from the last one throughout, and I'm not as active/fit as I was then.

My MW has said if I don't feel anything and get to the pushing stage again without having realised to call an ambulance!!

Anyone there who has had more than one lucky experience?

[Freddysteddy]

[Picante]

[Dragonfly74]

My contractions were painless with both DC right up until the birth and even then I had no pain relief.

DS 3.4yrs I got to hospital a 11.55pm and midwives didn't believe I was in labour because I wasn't screaming or making a fuss DS was born at 1.08am

DD 14mths I woke at 6.15am having a contraction, went to the loo and had my show. DD was delivered on the kitchen floor by my lovely DH at 6.59am.

[Picante]

[MamaMimi]

Yes, it sort of rendered me a bit speechless at the time but it was nearly 5 years ago now so I can go over it and relay it better by now.

[MamaMimi]

Wow Dragonfly, thanks.

That's what dp is slightly worried about, but he will be marvellous if it comes to it

[Dragonfly74]

It was scary at the time but looking back on it now it was a truly amazing experience. We would like to try for number 3 but I don't know if DH could stand to be a MW again.

[MamaMimi]

Awww. Just got a text from my friend to tell me she had a baby boy this afternoon, 2 days overdue so I'm really chuffed for her.

[blinder]

I really hope you get to have the same experience again MamaMimi! I don't see any reason why it should be any different. Enjoy!