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...

2nd births tend, on average, to be faster and are usually easier.

I looked this up- once you have had a relatively straightforward vaginal birth, the chances of an emergency C-section for a low risk second pregnancy go from about 1 in 4 to 1 in 20.

Personally, my second Labour was easier and quicker except that DC had a hand up by their head which meant more tearing. Healed up fine though.

First was ventouse, about 10 hours start to finish.

Second was natural water birth and about 4/5 hours start to finish, but afterpains were much worse as PP have said.

My sister is a midwife and she says nearly all second/third etc births are much shorter and more straightforward.

My second was 8 hours in labour, my first 14 hours. My second was much more painful but that was because I was high risk so they made me lie in bed wired up to a machine the whole time in the labour ward. My first was born in the Midwife Led Unit where I was standing or sitting the whole time. I had diamorphine with my first but the hospital didn't have any when I had my second!

Labour - ridiculously easier.

Afterpains - much worse!

Do the afterpains get progressively worse with each birth? Because if so I have no idea how the woman with 21 kids is doing it at this stage.

The hospital's tend to treat you better second time round as they trust that you know when you're in labour. If you're panicking (been there, done that), then talk to your midwife. You could get a referral to a consultant who deals with anxiety. If nothing else your anxiety will be logged on your notes. Second births are usually easier, but can happen quicker. If pain is of concern, then the moment that you go into labour, go to hospital and ask for an epidural. Don't leave it until the last minute. Also, I've had two emergency c sections. If anxious about the possibility, the anaesthetist/surgeons may be able to chat to you to alleviate your concerns. That helped me re the second one. I felt a bit vulnerable first time round as had been tilted backwards very slightly for failed forceps and was nauseous. Second time round they allowed me a rolled up towel under my head as a pillow, I had chill out music on (the staff all sang along) and I was given anti sickness medication. Knowing that I could control some aspects of it really helped. I would address your fear of an emergency c section/forceps/intervention etc to start off with. It isn't nearly as bad or stressful as you think and is over within around 35-40 mins. The baby is out after 5 mins, then they just take their time stitching you up neatly (I say this as someone who suffers from anxiety and panic attacks). I think that instead of trying not to think about it and hoping that it won't happen, work through your particular worries about each procedure with your midwife. You may well find that there are quite a few things that you can do to alleviate your concerns. It's the fear of the unknown that increases anxiety. Good luck. Also, download the calm app and practice mindfulness/relaxation exercises. It all helps! X

Mine was different in that I was indudced with my second and went on to have an emergency c section BUT I felt more prepared and more relaxed than with my first labour and the whole delivery was actually a really good experience!

Was for me. First one nearly killed me. Other than the fact that we both survived it couldn’t have gone much worse.

Second was ridiculously easy and straightforward. 1.5 hour active labour and he came out in 3 pushes.

Still can’t believe how different the births were.

First was natural home delivery
Second was an undiagnosed breech
Taken to hospital for vaginal breech delivery
Not exactly as planned but fine (all healthy/no stitches/home next day )

My first was a horrible experience- days of frequent contractions but wouldn't dilate above 4cm and waters had to be broken by the midwife. Throwing up constantly despite anti sickness drugs. Put on drips to rehydrate me. Had an epidural which only worked on one side of my body. Baby ended up distressed and had to have a forceps delivery.

Second labour started with waters going at 10pm, contractions started at 1am, baby born at 2am. I had a lovely relaxed water birth, two or three pushes and he was out.

Two totally different births and the second was 100% more painful but by far the easiest of the two.

Usually.
1st was awful
2nd was much much much better
3rd was a nightmare

I went 12 hours with first 2.5 hours from start to finish with second 8 hours with third , but my babies were small 6 lbers

Generally I think the second is quicker but more painful because of it.

Dc1- 22 hours
Dc2- 8 hours
Dc3- 20 hours (back to back and emerg csec)

My second labour was more intense as I had to be induced. I was contracting too fast so needed something bro slow it down, more pain relief, I was sick etc. However the actual birth was a lot easier.

First birth was quick and he was bigger so had a 2nd degree tear and was passing out afterwards.

I recovered much, much quicker on my second. So first was better labour, worse birth. Second labour - worse labour, better birth and recovery.

My second was sooooooo much easier. And about 1/10 as painful.

My second was much quicker and pain definitely more manageable- until the pushing stage, because they made me get out of the pool (had some minor bleeding) and there wasn’t time for drugs. That was pretty intense!

I’m a midwife, obviously there are exceptions but I would say overwhelmingly second births are faster, less chance of perineal trauma, much less chance of instrumental or operative delivery if first birth was vaginal and OP babies are likely to turn easily and quickly during labour or just come out looking up at the stars. Some women find the speed of second births quite overwhelming so perhaps not necessarily easier, but certainly quicker. From a personal perspective I also found breastfeeding much easier the second time around.

My second birth was very much easier and incredibly quick, I only pushed twice! First birth after what felt like I'd been pushing for hours exhausted me we ended up having an emergency c-section, they tried forceps and vontuse before hand so I was very pleased to relax on the table while they did their thing . I'm trying for my third dc and I'm laughing thinking il sneeze this child out! 🤣

My second was the easiest and quickest of my three vaginal births. Six hours from first contraction to birth and I only got to hospital when I was 9cm, she was born about half an hour after we arrived. First was 24 hours, third was 12 hours and fourth was c-section which was easiest of all .

My second and third were much easier than my first. I had a frame of reference and knew how awful it was and how bad the pain would get and how hard I needed to push. I was also very scared before my second so I bought a hypnobirthing CD and did yoga and also paid for a private session with the yoga teacher and she thought me some good breathing and coping techniques for the contractions. Good luck OP.

Much more painful and longer. I should have made better drug choices!

I found DS2 birth more painful than DS1, but because the birth was much quicker it was easier to cope with. I didn’t tear as badly either. Try not to think about it too much, every labour is different. Good luck OP.

More painful as baby was back to back but much easier to push out despite being a big baby and massive head mainly because I knew then what they really meant by 'push'!

This is genuinely so helpful and reassuring, thanks so much everyone. Obviously I know there are no guarantees but it has really calmed me down to see that the overall trend is positive. And hopefully a more positive a mindset will help, whatever ends up happening!