True or False : 2nd Labours are easier and faster?

[pigleychez]

Basically as the Title says.
Share you exepriences with me Im currently due with DB2 and had a horrible 27 hour labour with DD.
Really hoping for a better seccond one!

[lou33]

having had 4 they all got progressively quicker

[MoonlightMcKenzie]

No guarantees, but if I was putting money on it, I'd say your second will be faster and easier.

[thisisyesterday]

mine was.
first was 18 hrs

second was 6 hours (despite him being big, and back to back)

third was 45 mins

isn't always the case though as I suspect you'll find out on this thread lol

[lavenderkate]

Yes
Fear not

[pingapengin]

True for me

[Whitetara]

Not in my case - 20 hours for the first and 19 hours for the second. Laboured exactly the same way each time i.e. got stuck around 6cm and needed augmentation.

[ReneRusso]

Faster yes definitely. Easier no not for me, but mostly yes I think. Good luck.

[pippel]

dd1 22 hours

dd2 12 hours but a lot worse. I wanted an epidural but was in too much pain to ask, she was back to back, I couldn't actually feel the contractions just agony in my hips and back, it hurt like a bastard . Only in hospital 3 hours before she was born though.

[ChasingSquirrels]

for me 2nd was quicker, easier, but resulted in a little grazing which I hadn't had with dc1.
dc1 - 2 hrs
dc2 - 15 mins

[IdrisTheDragon]

Faster and easier.

With DS whole thing was about 20 hours (although only about 8 hours really painful), had a forceps delivery and then lost 3 pints of blood, so I went off to theatre for a couple of hours.

With DD whole thing was under 7 hours and I only had a little graze.

[BakewellTarts]

Second labour faster, smaller tear (no stitches required) but unfortunately not easier.

Everyone is different as is every baby so best of luck I'm sure you'll be fine.

[LadyOfTheFlowers]

Definately faster for me, no need for stitches second time, but not easier at all.
My body just didn't seem as strong the second time round. I had to work a lot harder.
There is only 14m between DS1 and DS2 which may have something to do with it - my body wasnt recovered from DS1 probably. I certainly had not done any type of excercise between the 2 pregs.

DS3 was easier and much quicker - after a 27m gap.

Am preg again and this gap will be 16m so not expecting plain sailing this time either. That's just how it went for me.

DS1 9 hrs
DS2 3 hrs 45 mins
DS3 4 hrs

[Niknak21]

My 1st was an induction and loads of waiting around for things to get moving, epidural nearly forceps etc.

2nd was DIY home birth, much better! He arrived very quickly, lucky my DH works in our house

Both times I tried to not think about the birth, rememeber, upright and active

[ellielou02]

Yes true
DD1 induced at 40+10 at 1800 was in pain at 2000 till epidural DD1 born at 1519 the next day
DD2 went into labout at 0200 managed at home till 10am no real pain at all gave birth at 1054 no problem and not time for pain relief but didnt need it

[SJisontheway]

So much quicker and so so so much easier

[PrammyMammy]

Was true for me.
DS was 8 hours from first contraction.
DD was 3hours35mins from first contraction.

[franfoxy2003]

true for me...

DS.(3.5years)...waters broke the thursday, induced on saturday born early hours sunday, 12 hours from drip being put in...

DD (19 days old)....sweep thursday...few twinges thurs nite and fri nothing i would class as labour though......Labour started 5:45am sunday morning...born 2:26pm....proper established labour 2:18 mins!!!

[Ladyem]

DD was about 9hrs and she got very stuck, had to be helped out with a ventouse.

DS much, much quicker labour (about 3 hours once in established labour) and he shot out in 3 pushes!! No tears at all!

Good luck! xx

[GirlsAreLOud]

My friend's first was 66 hours ending in C section.

Second was on Sunday - 6 hours first twinge to babe in arms, just gas and air and no stitches.

[BadPoet]

True for me! 1st 25 hours, assisted delivery. 2nd 3 hours.

[browntrout]

pigley - can I thank you for starting this thread! I am due in 5 weeks with DD2 and was starting the slow panic to countdown. Wanted to ask this question but was worried the answers would go the other way! I feel positively upbeat about it now!

[wook]

This is all making me feel very positive thanks for starting this thread Pigley

[Seeline]

In that 13 hours is much shorter than 29 hrs, second was shorter, if not exactly quick. However, was definitely easier, and only a few stitches required rather than the cut and tear of the first.

[Tillyscoutsmum]

Another relieved second timer here

I have been told by a couple of friends that the after pains are worse and last much longer (a couple of days after ?) with dc2. Can anyone confirm or deny ?