2nd timers : How did it compare to your first labour....Really?

[Littlerayofsunshine]

4.5weeks until EDD with DC2....

I hope its as straight-forward as DD's but maybe not as intense and speedy!

I am interested in the answer to this... am 38 weeks with DC2. The first time was 30 hours of agony followed by augmentation. So I think I would take intense and speedy this time!!

First was induced with drip, in labour 8 hours which was manageable with gas and air, pushing 2 hours, then c-section due to presentation.

Second was spontaneous labour which began the 6 most agonising hours of such pain I could never have imagined before ds2 was born via forceps!

Possibly not too reassuring?!

DD was born within 4hrs start to finish. established labour was about 2hrs if that. 20mins of pushing. I did have a PPH 1000mls 2hrs after birth but overall i found myself to be lucky.

Jus hope i can do it naturally again!!!! and no intervention - thats my worst nightmare!

I never remember my pph, it was 1300mls and probably the most traumatic bit as it was discovered when the spinal wore off and they were helping me sit up so I could feed ds2. He was handed to dh, but my baby being taken off me and all these people around, I suppose it's no wonder I "forget" it.

Sounds like you should have no trouble second time though! Perhaps the fact subsequent babies are usually faster is more of a worry!

It takes half the time and then half again with DC3. NVD that is.

8 hours no intervention DD1. 1hr pushing

2.5 hrs DD2 - started slowly, was even looking after DD1 until 1 hour before DD2 arrived. 30 mins before she arrived rang the hospital to ask when I should come in because I thought I was in labour. Told to have a bath and paracetamol - thanks hospital. 20 mins later went to the toilet to empty my bowels. Wasn't just poo that came out though, a baby did as well. AArrgghh. No pushing and expertly caught by DH (and it was a catch rather than a delivery).

6 hours with my first.

2 hours with my second. Didn't make it to the hospital.

Be warned...

Thats what im worrying about - it being TOO fast! and not making it...

how did you all find the pain second time around? easier or harder?

Worse, a lot lot worse

Ds took 13hrs in total quite simple apart from getting placenta out and didnt budge for ages.

Dd took 36 hours, got sent home in lots of pain and mum had to convince them I needed to go back in where an hour and twenty mins later she was born. The pushing was much much easier and only pushed a couple of times before she popped out.

Spontaneous onset rather than induced. 4hours-ish rather than 10. And a lot easier (still labour but not as bad as the first time)

DD1 - 7 hours induction due to PV bleed 15 minutes pushing.
DD2 - less than an hour, 40 mins driveto hospital done in 29minutes, born soon after arrival, urge to push and DD2 delivered in less than 1 push, second stage recorded at less than 1 minute. Shocked me, shocked DD2 and very surprised student MW who did her first unaided delivery without any planning or a second MW in the room!

14 hours from when contractions started till birth with DC2 compared to over 48 with DC1. Needed ventouse for first, none for second. It was more painful second time though because baby was back to back.

Second labour much better.

First I was in hospital anyway with suspected pre eclampsia. Waters broke and contractions started about 12 hours later. DS born about 8 years later with forceps as his heartbeat getting lower. He was fine. I had 1500ml PPH with blood pouring out. They couldn't stop it so I went off to theatre, was given epidural and legs were like this -- which wasn't great for someone with SPD! Had transfusion later that day and felt awful for weeks. Couldn't walk properly and felt v low.

With DD contractions started about 6:45am. She was born 1:30pm and I only had a graze :) Still lost 450ml blood but no issues.stayed one night in hospital because I wanted to and walked with no pain out of hospital. Felt fine straight away :)

Dc1 12 hours of niggles, 8 hours of real labour, no pain relief, only just made it to hospital.

Dc2 no niggles, 1.5hrs real labour, didn't make it to hospital!

I pushed dc1 out, my body flung dc2 out with the contractions. It knew what it was doing second time around. Try not to worry I was told the baby only comes quickly if everything is OK.

Both were induced at 42 weeks. DC1 9 hours with pethidine, epidural, failed ventouse and forceps, Episiotomy and a week to be able to sit down properly!
DC2 1.5 hours, only gas and air. Completely different births.

DD1 4 hours start to baby
DD2 4 hours start to baby

For me, pain was the same but less ring of fire and more "oh just get the fuck out, get out, get out, get out, get the fuck out"..."oh there you are" DH thought it very funny, midwife (also my next door neighbour likes to remind me)

Just luck of the draw it seems. Good luck!

DC2 was pretty much the same as DC1 but faster.
DC3 - whole other thing entirely. Way way waaaay longer.
DC4 - closer to the first 2 but a bit longer

1st labour - waters broke at 36 weeks. 6 hour labour - about an hour pushing, I think. Gas & air and pethidine. Asked about epidural to be told I was already 9cm so there was no time.

2nd labour - 39 weeks at regular appointment. Discovered I was 6cm. A few hours of pottering around ward with no discernible contractions. They wouldn't let me go the 4 minutes home. Examined again to find was 8cm. Broke my waters and DD was born 40 minutes later. Maybe 20 minutes pushing. No drugs at all (no option for anything other than epidural & I really didn't want one)

I panicked a bit after my waters broke on my second - because I went from no contractions to no break between very strong contractions. Kept telling DH that I didn't remember how to do it all. I definitely recovered faster after the second labour.

Fast fast fast!!

DD1 3cm onwards -7 hours
DD2 5cm onwards - 28 MINUTES !!!!! (read this in total disbelief the day after!)

X

Should add, fast, but one million percent more enjoyable than first time. In fact, based on second time around I could actually say I loved giving birth to her.

As for the first time ..........!

Mine was the same in terms of hours (23+) but I handled it brilliantly (in my humble opinion) without any pain relief (first time I had pethidine) and then I pushed dd out in 5 mins *grins as opposed to ds who was an episiotomy and potential assisted delivery. Was a great 2nd time and I bonded instantly with dd, successfully have bf her and really look back on the birth as a great experience :D

7.5 hrs rather than 26 hrs and she forgot to leave gaps between contractions!

However, she was born at home and I was able to move around and have her squatting by the bed.

I learnt my lesson to keep moving after DD1 stuck her skull on my sciatic nerves and sent shouting pains down my legs.
I got stuck on the bed totally unable to change person it was too painful.

Position not person.

DS got to hospital 2 1/2 hours before he was born. (Fully expected to be sent home with paracetamol!)
DD total labour 59 mins! (That was only because I wasn't allowed to push in the lift and they insisted I shift from one bed to another!) thankfully we were already in hospital!

Littlerayofsunshine, I feel exactly the same as you! Am 38+3 with my second and DD arrived quickly... 2 hrs from 3 cm to being born!

Currently planning a homebirth as scared that if we try to make it to hospital I'll end up giving birth in the car.

Been told by a few people I'm irresponsible for wanting to be at home as I'm putting the baby through unnecessary risks...