Is second labour really easier?

[PoultryInMotion]

Everyone (including my community midwife) keeps telling me with absolute certainty that a second labour is faster and less painful than the first. Now I'm sceptical, always?

First labour was fairly intense from the very beginning with DD, stayed at home for 6 hours with strong contractions and then as soon as I got the G&A I was fine. I had an epidural (mostly because I thought I would need it, not because I actually did ) and from then on it was pretty plain sailing. All in all took 22.5 hours, mostly (thanks to my epidural) involving me reading magazines, gossiping with DH and having a snooze. If I don't have one this time (chance to use posh new birthing centre) will I be ok?

I am expecting second so no personal experience, but I think when they say "faster and less painful than the first", it broadly depends on what the first was like surely? A lot of my friends who have had 2+ had epidural for first and had no time for it on their second, so their experience of labour is that one didn't hurt and the other hurt like hell.

I theoretically would like to avoid epi this time round but it is a scary thought that you don't know how it will be. I made it to 5cms last time but have no experience of the really bad bits - transition/crowning - so I feel like a first-timer. I am also told by many that often requests for epidurals in second births are not routinely met very quickly.... this may be total nonsense, but I can imagine that as epi slows birth down and most second-timers seem to manage okay without it that it would be in the hospital staff's interests to delay giving it to you as you can be in and out faster without it. I hate to think so cynically about it, but it makes sense. So I think I have to be prepared not to have it one way or the other, if that makes sense?

Also, some people are still induced on second and/or have complications with second they didn't with first so it can't be true that it is always more straightforward. Sadly.

working - I wonder if the fact that 2nd labours tend to be faster (and everyone I know with 'normal' type deliveries says theirs was) means that they try to avoid the epis because there's a great chance of birth happening before the anaesthetic kicks in? I have a friend who had an epidural with her second only to deliver within 10 minutes and before any significant numbing!

OP - my mother had three kids and says that number 2 was easier than number 1 (two years apart) but after a 5 year gap number 3 was just as hard as the first. Her rule of thumb (gleaned from somewhere, not sure where!) is that it's easierfor about 3 years then not so much.

Second wasn't easier in my case. Its different for everyone.

It is easier in the sense that you have done it before, you can listen to your body better second time around.

Course there is no hard and fast rule.

Generally you can assume these things:
Your body has had a practice run and things are more stretched. You are likely to be at least 2cm before you even go into labour.

You are more prepared. Even if worried you will have made plans based on experience to improve your labour.

Midwives tend to assume you know what you are doing and take you more seriously.

As an anetdote, my first was very Very painful (back to back and crap support) I was. Begging for refused and jabbed with pethedine. Pushing at the end with no urge which swelled my cervix. I was given an local anaesthetic in my fanjo so the could cut me. I felt no crowning.

No. 2 -easy peasy. No pain relief as my own decision. (well pool). Transition was fine. A little bit of a panic as I lost focus for a minute but regained. Crowning -well it stung but in a good way.

If you have a strong urge/reflex, and listen to your body it isn't bad at all. It is like having the worst itch of your life, and scratching it until it bleeds with a metal claw. Sounds horrific perhaps but you want/need to do it and it feels good.

Where crowning doesn't work is if you are being coached against your urge, so its like you are scratching with a metal claw but with no itch. Not nice.

I had dd1 induced, long painful labour ending in epidural

DD2 sneezed and she shot out Less painful, more intense and a hell of a lot quicker - born about an hour after I got to hospital and I was only 4cm when I arrived.

I had nothing to do with her being born, my body took over entirely. Best experience of my life (and drug free - not by choice but circumstance)

My second wasn't much faster than my first but it was alot less painful, I think because I knew what to expect and I wasn't scared and anxious like I was with my first. I stayed home alone with ds until I needed the G&A and the contractions were every 2 mins, I didn't even call my ex to tell him I was in labour until they were 3-4 mins apart, got to the hospital 8cm and she was born long long afterwards.

My third was the longest and hardest by a mile.

OP

I had one last time, because I was induced and it was painful and I was on my back hooked up to monitors, which meant I felt very helpless and not at all like I could cope.

Second time round I had to choose delivery unit in one town or midwife led with pool in another ... was worried would I cope if an epidural not available? Decided to risk it!

Well, DS's birth was totally different to DDs! Started getting little cramps every 30 mins at lunchtime on 40+10. Didn't realise what it was at first as DD was an induction! Then twigged ... gradually through the afternoon they evolved into stronger pains every 15-20 mins. By 6pm I was having one every 5 and they were ouchy but could still talk. By 7.30 it was three every 10 mins and I was struggling to talk (but could handle it).

Went to midwife led unit, was 3-4 centimetres. It was very quiet calm and lit by lamps, and I felt very comfy. They said I could go home if I liked but I felt so happy there I said please dont send me home!

Labour progressed quickly and about 30 mins later I was 4/5 cms and got in the pool. The pool was a godsend - couldn't recommend enough! You can float into a good position (for me it was leaning over the side, rocking my hips, with DH pouring water over my back during cxs). It still bloody hurt but I felt really strong and brave like I could do it. Managed on only G&A. I must have got in about 10pm and stayed put till 3am when they got me out to see how I was doing. Then was in transition on the bed so stayed up there for a bit, then got on birthing stool and DS shot out in a 7 min second stage ... at 4am. So I would say it was about 14 hours from very first tiny twinge to birth. About 6 hours of serious contractions.

It was a great experience. I mean it bloody hurt and I was very relieved it was over but I really felt I could hack it this time round. I thank the pool for that and also the fact that I was very relaxed at the birthing centre so labour progressed steadily. Also it was no.2 so I think it was faster. Also DS labour started spontaneously rather than being induced which I am sure must make a difference.

Good luck! I would plump for the birthing centre if you fancy it, if no epidural is available you will manage!

well, like wot everyone else says :)
2nd labour was easier in the sense that a) I knew what was going on and b) it wasnt assisted/traumatic/horrendous like DS1. It wasnt shorter though, it was longer (still under 3hrs !)
now when I got DS2 home, THAT was different/easier from DS1 - I actually had a clue what to do with a newborn!

Nope. Sorry...

Yes, having had two births with gas and air I would say generally second births are probably easier. Still hurts but your body has done it before. As someone else said, many women have more pain relief first time round, so you're not comparing 'like with like' (though of course all births are going to be a bit different anyway).

my first was 11 hours start to finish,and i had an epidural .second was about 4/5 hours once i got to the hospital was to late for an epidural,and managed fine on gas and air and he was 9lb 2 and a bit onces,so only had gas for the next 2..good luck.

my 2nd birth NOT labour was easier

1st birth took around 2 hours of pushing and ended with a full episiotomy. 2nd birth was 5 minutes pushing and she was out, i had a weeny few tears (1st degree) but all in all was fine. labour was longer but not as painful because i relaxed completely and almost enjoyed the powerful contractions :)

just relax, go with your body, accept its not your job, its your uterus's job to get babe out, and embrace the intensity. you will be fine

Statistically a lot quicker, but there's always^ an exception needed for any rule.

Both of mine were 4 hours, first induced, second spontaneous. But the pushing stage was far easier second time round and I didn't feel the crowning or ring of fire that I was scared of after the first time.

So in my case not faster but easier certainly.

Faster yes, less painful no and yes.
To begin with defiantly more painful, DD2 forgot the gaps between contractions bit.
Towards the end much better because I was at home and had been moving about not stuck on a bed DD2 was not wedged on my sciatic nerves.
DD1 sent evil shooting pains down my legs and I just couldn't move.
DD2 was born squatting by my bed with gravity to help. This was a huge improvement.

Yep, first labour was awful then second was an absolute doddle in comparison (the third was the most painful though!)

Length of time not much in it, agree not tge same ring of fire feeling. In fact I could feel differences in bits coming out iyswim.

You know what to expect and have done it all before so therefore it is easier/better.

Also tge rule about second babies being being did not apply for me in fact dd was 8.1 and ds was 7.6 so that might have helped.

A lot easier and quicker here, ds1 18 hrs, drip, epidural, 9lb
2nd 4 hrs, bit of g&a, two babies later, and then there were three!

Id have the twins birth again any day not really though, closed for business now

Easier as I knew what to expect - especially during transition (panicked first time, second time I recognised it and asked G&A to slow things down).

Pushing - faster and easier. MW gave good guidance and helped me. I also pushed with the contractions even when DS's head slipped back. I also listened to my body and stopped pushing if no urge.

Labour was faster and more efficient. I only felt I needed help in the last 45 mins.

However it was a lot quicker so I was shocked afterwards!

Midwife refused to give me even gas and air in my first labour until I was pushing so I'm hoping it will be easier this time! I'm hoping to have a water birth and should recognise the start of labour this time.

I was panicking about the same thing this time last year - DD will be one on Thursday. But her birth was a million times better than DS's (now 6). His birth was about 15 hours and horribly painful. DD's was easier, faster, more in control, no pain relief apart from a quick puff of gas and air just before pushing. The only thing I would say is that some second labours can progress quicker than you expect - I only just made it to the hospital and had no idea she was about to be born. I was demanding 'a fcking epidural' when midwife said, 'shut up and push, I can see the head'

BillyBollyBandy are you sure you're not me? Apart from the being induced, I could write word for word what you said.

DD1 - very long, very painful labour. Ended in transfer from MLU to hospital, epidural + hormone to speed things up.

DD2 - very short labour, DD popped herself out with very little help from me, very intense (and painful due to lack of pain-relief, not my choice she was just too quick!) - and she arrived 40 mins after I got to hsopital. The epidural I demanded on arrival at hospital (no fecking way was it going to be like the first time) kicked in about 15 mins after she threw herself out onto the bed was born.

DO NOT DELAY GOING TO THE HOSPITAL! There's a good chance DD2 could've been born in our car at the side of the road...

Mine was much quicker and more intense...which, of course, in labour terms means more unpleasant and painful.

My first, I got into the hospital at 1am and was 5cm dilated having laboured since about 7.30pm (very beginning, very early stages) at home. I was calm and breathed and was quiet throughout in the hospital and had a pool birth at 4.27am.

My second, things were slow from about 3pm. Ramped up around 10.15pm. Got to hospital about 11.20pm and was 4cm...baby was born at 12.41am so just over an hour after we got to the hospital! My water went when the triage midwife examined me. I found I felt sweaty and a bit sicky and found it hard to stay calm BUT, it was not the worst thing ever and it didn't last long!