To think 2nd labour won't be as bad as first?

[jollybobs89]

29 weeks pregnant with DC number 2 getting really anxious about labour!

First labour over 24 hours ended up with forceps episiomty being stitched up in theatre afterwards.

I know probably not as bad as some people have had it but is it easier 2nd time round?

Haha I just don't want forceps again stories please!

My first was much like yours. 21 hours, forceps, stitches.

My second took 12 hours, 20 minutes second stage, no forceps required, a few stitches. Easy in comparison.

Traumatic first birth and much easier and calmer second birth!

Hate to say this. My second was much worse. Ended up having the drip to help things along. Twice as long.. More stitching required.

However 38 weeks now with no3 and getting very nervous now lol

It may be easier in terms of delivery but when that labour pain starts all the memories come flooding back!

My second was faster, easier and less painful than the second and then third was faster, easier and less painful than the second.

First was a nightmare all around. Second 4 hours in the pool and out he popped.
Good luck!! Hope your experience is similar.

Had 3, 2nd was easiest

Second more complicated but shorter than first
My first was very trouble free and routine just long
Third was emcs

My 1st I was induced at 41+5, the induction was painful, i over contracted, was in so much pain, then after 14.5 hrs, had an emcs. 2nd, i went into spontaneous labour the day after booking my elective section lol was in labour for 56 hours. Pushed for 2.5, epidural didn't work down one side, ended up with forceps,2nd degree tear, episiotomy and lacerations. A week later, my stitches burst, I had an infection. The section was painful because obv it's a major op and core muscles, but 2nd labour and delivery has taken me much longer to recover from.

First: 18 hours, PPH and nearly died.
Second: 3 and a half hours..more stitches required but no PPH. But...it was a lot faster and scarier.

First was long but natural save for an episiotomy and a haemorrhage. 2nd was forceps, it's not certain to be easier. If you had forceps with the first have you duscussed an elective c section? It could cause rectal damage if you have them again I thought? My obs said if I have a third it's by c section

Well they have said that I'm less likely to need forceps this time round! But I'm petrified of having to have them again

Plus last baby was 8.13lb and this time it's a boy and I just know he'll probably be bigger haha

I'd a similar experience with my first as you and with my second I've just had an ELCS and the birth was so much calmer and controlled. It took me a week to walk after my first with the stitches I was in so much pain but I pushed my newborn in his crib from the recovery ward to the actual ward 4 hours after his birth after the CS. I was out the next day whereas with the first I was there 2 nights

I also had a very long induced labour with my first, also ending up with forceps, episiotomy and felt traumatised to be honest! Did some hypnobirthing classes with my second and convinced myself I would have an 'easier' labour and I did! Started at 9pm, stayed home till 3amish, got to hospital and baby born in the pool at 4.15am! Couldn't believe how much breathing through the contractions would help but it honestly did! All the best!

I thought this too, my first labour was amazing not a lot of pain only had gas and air for pain relief and needed 2 stitches. My second labour lasted hours, my waters wouldn't break, they finally broke and then reformed a second bag of water. Had to have them broke, baby wouldn't come out I was losing loads of blood and clotting. Midwife took my gas and air off me and once baby was out he was sunny side up which apparently makes labour a lot harder and gives you more pain in your back. Have always said this is my last child and after that labour I'm definitely never having another !

Every labour and birth I've had has been shorter and gentler than the previous one, despite each baby being bigger.

Remember, your body know what to do this time.

My first, EMCS 33 hours after waters went, syntocin drip etc and got to 8cm.
2nd was booked as ELCS but waters went a week before. Got to 5cm within 8 hours with a jab to slow things down. It was way more painful and fast but it was manageable. I did have an ELCS though.

My second was definitely much easier.

My first was very much like yours, a traumatic day in labour, forceps and episiotomy. My second flew into the world 20 minutes after I arrived at hospital.

Much much easier. First was third degree year, lost loads of blood etc.
Second was incredibly quick. I knew what I was doing and recovered more quickly.
But I was also more nervous in the run up the second up.

Number 2 was like shelling peas! Arrived at hospital at 3pm, born at 3.30pm, home by 7pm!

But, the after pains are worse with number 2 - over the next day or so.

First was very long. Had the drip and hours of constant contractions witb no break, couldn't speak to ask for pain relief.

Second quicker, just as painful. Had to have spinal after the baby was born for manual removal of placenta as it was stuck and had to be ripped away. PPH and nearly died!

Second was much easier and faster than first, second baby was 1 pound bigger than my first

First one 25 hours of labour, epidural, 2 hours of pushing, ventouse after baby in distress, 5 million stitches, PPH.

Second one 3.5 hours, bit of gas and air, 8 minutes of pushing, still quite a lot of stitches but a piece of cake. Also seemed to hurt less, possibly because I'd done it before.

1st: long, stop/start. Episiotomy (and no-one warned me that even if you’re cut open at the back, you can still tear at the front).

2nd: much quicker. Felt more in control (better at breathing through contractions etc). But injuries were much worse - I needed a catheter because I tore so close to the urethra.

Plus I heard words no woman should ever hear, ever:
“I’m sorry, Ms P, but you’ve torn right round your clitoris”
My poor DP was mortified when I suggested he come take a look while they were stitching me, so he’d know where it was...!