Second labour experiences

[MamaGeekChic]

Our DD is 14 months now and our thoughts have turned to whether we want another, I think that in my heart I know I wouldn't feel our family was complete without another. However, I'm concerned about labouring again and I'm looking for some reassurance or your experiences I guess... With DD I was induced at 40+8 with high blood pressure, I was put on a drip and waters broken at 40+10 and had her about 8 hours later. I had a normal vaginal delivery, non instrumental, no tears. Does that have any bearing on the likelihood of avoiding intervention next time? I've convinced myself that having got through it relatively unscathed (apart from horrible induction) last time that i'd be almost tempting fate to do it again.

I'd apprecciate any input as I appreciate these thoughts may not be entirely rational.

Lets face it most people DO go on to have another one or two or more!! Some of them have had easy births and some have not so easy but the overall picture is that whatever you go through there comes a point where the need/want for another baby outweighs the pain or discomfort you will experience at the birth!! Human race depends on this!!

I've had 2 natural deliveries
Second one was even better than the first - much quicker and no stitches

If you've laboured and delivered vaginally then you know you can do it and your body is capable

That's a good start

My first labour was horrendous. 52 hours, forceps, an hour and a half of pushing.

My second labour was 1 hour 54 minutes and he was out in 5 pushes! Much easier! :)

Not really, tbh - I think each birth is as it is.
However, you were lucky with your first, so you might well be lucky with your 2nd. Good luck

Ds 7 weeks in hospital with high blood pressure. Induced at 38 weeks.3 days inducing, 24 hour labour ending up in theatre incase forceps didnt work, which thankfully they did.
Dd went into labour at 37.2 and 4 hours later dd was born, with no pain relief either.

Hello, your induction sounds just like my first! I was induced at 40+10, waters broken, drip (ouch). I had an epidural, and tore quite badly (took 2 weeks to walk un-john wayne like). The labour took about 7 hours (my notes say 6, but I say nealry 8 from first twinges).

For my 2nd pregnancy, I was quite scared (I lost at 17 weeks last year) and there was a possible prob with this one, so I was determined to do all I coould for an easy time, and to avoid epidural. I was induced at 38 weeks to get the baby out early, induction took 2 days which was boring more than anything,then I had the waters popped and the drip. It was uncomfortable, but bearable, and DS was born 1.5 hours later, easy peasy! No drugs, no tearing, noo sweating panting, shouting or pushing. If I had to do it all again tomorrow I'd be in like a shot. I actually enjoyed it!

I put it down to Hypnobirthing - I wasn't convinced at first but soon got into it, and found it to be brilliant - def worth a try (even if you are cynical like me:)

Good luck

I had a third degree tear with my first (at 40+1)and was worried about my second birth so spoke to a consultant, he believed a second labour would be easier at the pushing stage but the pain would be the same.

Im sure statistics would back him up.

I was induced second time round at 40+12 second degree tear (and epidural) no forceps ect, no pain and a much better delivery and recovery

Second time was much better for me, labour lasted 2 1/2 hours and the pain was totally manageable on gas and air.

The pregnancy was worse as I ate too much cake gained lots of weight and had a toddler to deal with but the birth itself was a breeze compared with dc1!

Thank you all! I know no-one can tell me that it will definately be better but it seems general consensus is that second labours are easier. I'd certainly be keen to avoid induction if at all possible.

I still had intervention with my 2nd labour, but for totally different reasons, and it will still much, much faster than the first labour.

First labour was a spontaneous vaginal delivery, used g&a for an hour or two. Active labour for 13 hours. Second labour was twins (!) and again had a spontaneous vaginal delivery, no pain relief. Laboured for 7 hours.

Don't let the thought that fate is out to get you stop you from going for it. You should do brilliantly, your body has done it before and you will be going into it knowing so much more than you do first time round.