Are second births usually easier?

[2ndtimer30]

I'm nearly 33 weeks pregnant with DC2 and have been pretty relaxed but suddenly The Fear about childbirth has set in.

DC1 was back to back and had a large head (runs in my family), but despite that birth was only 6.5 hours though so not too bad. Had episiotomy and second degree tear but recovery was actually pretty quick.

I know that nothing is certain in the crazy world of pregnancy and childbirth. But please tell me that second births are usually easier? That's true, right?! Do I have a lower chance of instrumental/emergency c section now I've had one baby?

Any tips on how I can be more positive about birth and not ruin these last few weeks of pregnancy? On scans this baby also has a big head just like her sister and it's terrified me even though I've done it all before...

My second was much easier. The labour was about the same but the actual pushing/ delivery was much shorter. There was only 16 months between the births. Best of luck. 💐

My second was the hardest of 5

From easiest to hardest ....

3 - 5 hours
4 - 5 hours
1 - 12+ hours
5 - 16 hours
2 - 12+ hours

Me too. First was a difficult birth. Second complete opposite very easy in comparison.

Mine was much worse, bigger baby though. First was no pain relief and no tears, second episiotomy and ventouse. But I was told the whole way along second time was easier, so I’m guessing that’s the rule and I was one of the exceptions!

Mine much easier. First back to back and 48 hours- waters had to be broken, then I was induced then had to have epidural- but recovered ok. Second degree tear but not complications. Second 4 hours from first contraction to delivery- barely made the hospital. Small tear but healed quicker than first one x

Afterpain worse though

Mine was. First 28 hours, back to back, excruciating. Second - from first contraction to birth, about 3 hours. Barely made it to the hospital! He did break his collarbone on the way out, though (much less traumatic than it sounds).

You will be fine. Second births are usually much easier. I had to have forceps and I was torn badly with my first. The second was born in no time. The ambulance had a bell on! The birth was so much easier. Focus on getting things ready and enjoying time with your first child. Let us know when you have had your second little darling so you can tell us all about her and how you were worrying unnecessarily.

Rumblebear astonishingly similar!

My second was a shorter labour & my body returned to normal faster as well. Good luck!

my second was much quicker. First was still pretty quick and had a 2nd degree tear but recovery was ok. Second, i was 2 and a half hours from first contraction to baby being born and no tears at all. Recovery was super quick too.

My 2nd was harder than my 1st, sorry. 3rd was easiest out of my 5 and the 5th was the hardest.

My 2nd labour was longer but the actual birthing stage was so much quicker and easier!

Both of mine were back to back, 2nd was a lot more painful but over with in half the time.

Just remember you’ve done this before so you can do it again.

One thing I felt is with number 2 the midwife didn’t keep me updated as much with how I was progressing and I was scared I was hardly dilated but in so much pain so panicked a bit, I wouldn’t have if I’d know I was going to be pushing soon! So tell him/her to keep you in the loop.

Enjoy your last few weeks with 1 child, I don’t know how old they are but it is SO much easier leaving the house with 1 child

My first I had stitches and a graze although not as bad as some people have it :(
Was 6 hours long and water birth, was fairly easy from what I hear but I was young and it traumatised me.

Second was 2lb heavier and flew out in 2 hours from water breaking only an hour of contractions and no stitches or grazes I was absolutely fine after. The after pains are much worse with second trough, I had none with first. Easily sorted by paracetamol though

Seemed to be on average half as long, though my friend who had labours of two and one hour said that wasn't necessarily great. Mine was 19 down from 38 hours, and it was the unproductive phase that was sped up. Also hospital staff glanced at my summary sheet of the previous time and agreed to an epidural the minute I got there, and a ventouse so it could be over before midnight, which both helped no end. Of more importance was being able to breastfeed easily immediately, rather than a horrible few weeks of seeking help and lots of pain - so I got much more sleep even with an older child as well!

Dd2 definitely easier. I only have 2 births to compare.

Dd1, unexplained bleeding, epidural incase I needed to be rushed to theatre, episiotomy, forceps and about a 36 hour labour

DD2, contractions started at 3pm, gas and air for last 45 minutes, small tear (needed a couple of stitches.) Total time 6hrs. I was having a shower within 90 minutes of her birth and ready to bound out of the hospital by 9am the next day.

My first labour was 72 hours with a long time pushing and an episiotomy and retained placenta. I was severely anaemic afterwards and episiotomy took about 12 weeks to feel better

Second was 48 hours, came out in 2 pushes, I still had to have an epidural as was exhausted with no sleep but recovered a lot better, much less blood loss. 2nd degree tear but felt loads better within a couple of weeks.

First was 12 hours, very very painful. Standard birth.

Second was 7 hours, ever so slightly less painful. (Still agony)

Third was in water, 3 hours and half as painful (thank you water!!!)

So yeah, they got easier for me.

Oh and each baby was bigger than the last.

Much easier but after pains horrific.

DC1 was a 50+ hour labour (36h at home) and this included 2 hours pushing. Thankfully I didn't need any intervention [was a close call and I delivered with a room full of Dr's] . Also no tears or grazes.

DC2 was less than 5 hours from waters going to delivery. Just me, DP and MW was pushing for a few minutes.

DC3 was a planned induction. 22h of niggles, then contractions proper and baby with the hour.

No tears or grazes with DC2 or DC3.

I’m hoping it’s easier too but I’ve had the fear from MIL.. BIL was born after 25hours of labour with a 2nd degree tear. DP flew out in 23 minutes.. hospitals 35minutes away .. She’d sent their dad to work on the morning she went into labour with dp thinking she’d have all day to go and had to call him back before he’d even got to work (bit harder pre mobiles so he missed the birth)

• within the hour

The second birth was easier, specifically that the labour was much shorter so less exhausting to me and baby. I got a different set of birth injuries to first time (EMCS vs 3rd degree tear). The recovery was just different, tear being more painful, but I was stronger.

Generally the second tends to progress quicker which can reduce the chance for complications.

Post-baby euphoria for DS2 was amazing!