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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

Fishing for positive second birth stories!...

50 replies

Nomorethongs · 01/04/2015 21:39

I've read lots of wonderful posts about how second births have been quicker and easier. I'm aware that not all are but with labour starting anytime now I'd really appreciate any other positive stories. I'm not great at coping with pain and my first birth wasn't too pleasant with induction, epidural, episiotomy and manual removal of retained placenta. We're aiming for a water birth this time.
We thought labour started on Sunday and much to my embarrassment it was a false start. Bit gutted baby not here yet but it also freaked me out a bit, I'm such a wimp so any positivity would be greatly appreciated.

OP posts:

CoffeeBeanie · 03/04/2015 17:39

PS first birth was terrible. It's a miracle we had more than one.

LinaDee · 03/04/2015 17:41

Love this thread! Dc2 is due in 4 weeks and I'm really anxious after first time!

Your stories and experiences have reassured me!

OutsSelf · 03/04/2015 17:49

DC 2 came in two pushes; the first one broke the waters and the second one out she came. I only just had time to get in the pool! I first knew I was going to give birth at 10pm, mild tightenings, she was born at 12:45am. Maybe 15 mins of actual pain? Was heavenly, a doddle. She's a doddle now, too

Original poster

Nomorethongs · 03/04/2015 21:30

Wow, thank you for such wonderful positive experiences! I've been reading and re reading all of these and hope to add my own positive one soon!! I'm currently at 39+5 with mild cramping for days so hope we're not far off baby cuddles!! Xxx

OP posts:

Yoruba · 03/04/2015 21:40

First birth was 8 hours, 2nd degree tear and a pph (only a small one though). I didnt think it was too bad but was still nervous when heavily pregnant with dc2.

Dc2 was 3 hours at home waterbirth. No significant blood loss, no tear. Everything absolutely fine. It was actually lovely! I did feel quite emotional afterwards but i think that was adjusting to having 2 dc rather than having a difficult time IFYSWIM.

DC3 was even easier :o I had some false starts too, which was hideously embarrassing! But he was born 2 hours after labour started and 14 minutes after the midwife arrived! Was great! About 30 minutes of actual pain. No real blood loss at all, no pain afterwards, I felt bloody fantastic! I was downstairs on the sofa having pizza by the evening.

I think your first birth is always a bit traumatic, you don't know what to expect. I knew my body and the processes and was much more confident second time around.

BlingBubbles · 03/04/2015 21:53

I was really lucky to have two easy labours (after horrible horrible pregnancies)

My first labour I went from 5cm to 10cm in 2.5hours, pushed for 20mins and my daughter was born, no tears and no stiches. Managed the while thing on gas and air.

Just had my DS 9weeks ago, started having mild contractions at 17:00, for to hospital, Midwife examined me at 1930 and said I was 5cm dilated, we moved into the labour suit and my DS was born at 20:35!! He came out after 2 pushes and once again I had no tears or anything.

Good luck OP - you will do great

Totality22 · 03/04/2015 23:28

Second baby is just 10 weeks old and I am still amazed at my differing experiences.

DC1 - 51h labour. 36h at home, they only got me in when waters broke. I was 5cm upon arrival and it still took almost another 15h

I did manage a natural delivery, didn't have an EPI [despite needing the drip as I didn't dilate from 7am onwards] but it was fucking hard work.

My fanny was fine, that was about the only part of me that was! I pulled muscles in my arms and shoulders from holding the rails, I had hip pains from being in stirrups, I burst blood vessels in my face! Had serious neck pain for weeks after.... but as I had baby without any intervention people tell me I am lucky!!!

DC2 - 4h from water breaking to delivery. Only 80 minutes from arriving in birth centre. G&A and TENS. Had baby at 7am and was home by 3pm.

I was in much better shape physically with DC2, but I was in shock as I expected it to be epic. It wasn't easy. It was a million times more intense and painful than first time BUT it was so quick!

weebairn · 04/04/2015 07:12

Dd1 - 5 days overdue, born at home, 30 hour labour, thought I was dying. In transition for hours, horrendous. Good on paper (no tears or interventions) but I was so shell shocked.

Dd2 popped out on her due day in four hours (from first twinge). In the pool, at home again. Still bloody painful but I felt so much more in control, it was so quick and exhilarating ! I was on cloud nine for weeks afterwards.

Hope that helps ??

EElisavetaOfBelsornia · 04/04/2015 07:43

Me!! I did hypnobirthing, both times but the first was disrupted by medical people. The second was a dream, no pain, water birth, no drugs or tearing. Completely lovely experience. I started to have twinges at breakfast and was home for DC1's bedtime!

feelingdizzy · 04/04/2015 07:47

I went down to the labour ward ,at 3cm dilated had a couple of huge contractions walking down there. DS was born 20 minutes later. few minutes later I meandered back to the ward and had tea and toast.

LIG1979 · 06/04/2015 22:07

1st birth - very quick start to contractions, back to back, ventouse and then to theatre with a retained placenta. Even now I don't like to think about it.

2nd -birth - even quicker start to labour but 40 mins official labour including 1 minute 2nd stage. just gas and air and no drama. ds is only 2 weeks old but I am thinking "that was ok and I could do it again" but not having a third!

LIG1979 · 06/04/2015 22:08

forgot there was also an episiotomy with the 1st.

Original poster

Nomorethongs · 06/04/2015 22:23

Sounds a great second one!! We're not planning a third but I'd love to have a positive experience and feel I could do it again rather than fear childbirth forever!!

OP posts:

Cisforcat · 08/04/2015 13:12

First time was horrendous - induced at 12 days overdue- 3 days until delivery with forceps, episiotomy, PPH etc. 19 HR labour and everything I wanted it not to be. That was 15 months ago.

I now have a 1 week old and couldn't have had a more different experience. 1 day early, spontaneous labour, documented labour length of 27 mins, no tears and only had gas and air. Totally changed my view of labour and has made me realise what didference a non ' instrumental delivery' is like.

Good luck and keep positive. Hope you have a smile at quick and straight forward 2nd time!

Bobian123 · 09/04/2015 14:51

So nice to read this thread. I came on MN to start a similar one as DC2 due in July and I'm anxious. Reading these stories has really helped! OP, hope you don't have to wait too much longer!

Droflove · 09/04/2015 23:03

I had a similar first birth to you. Horrific and long and major long recovery postnatally. 2nd was maybe 10 proper - ass contractions and she came out in the pool. Checked out and home within 5 hrs. Very quick recovery.

Original poster

Nomorethongs · 12/04/2015 20:49

Just to update as I started the post!! Had a baby girl yesterday . Water birth at home, gas and air only. Was hard work but amazing!! 9lbs 6 ozs. Totally different experience to first birth, hoorah!
Thank you for all positivity that gave me hope and confidence. Xxx

OP posts:

Wadingthroughsoup · 13/04/2015 07:39

Wow! What a size! Well done and congratulations. :) So glad it was a positive experience.

RainbowTortoise · 13/04/2015 14:12

Congratulations

I am due baby number two in August and this thread has made me feel so much better!

Original poster

Nomorethongs · 14/04/2015 11:56

OP posts:

MiaowTheCat · 15/04/2015 08:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Gunpowder · 16/04/2015 19:36

Expecting #2 in a couple of weeks. This is a LOVELY thread.

Zamaz · 07/07/2018 13:33

Loved loved loved this thread when I was expecting my second, it so helped my frame of mind, so thought I'd share my story.

First birth with DD 2.5 years ago was long (23 hrs), drawn out, and I was terrified throughout. Ended in unwanted epidural, theatre with failed ventouse and finally forceps. Was left traumatised and developed bad PND. Recovery physically took ages too.

Second time with DS, 6 weeks ago, was AMAZING! Gas and air, calm, felt in control. Waters went at 10:30 pm and he was born at 02:09. Contractions totally manageable, felt I understood and was prepared for the process. Positive and memorable for all the right reasons! Found a local preg relaxation class, Positive Birth book by Milli Hill and Positive Birth Company YouTube videos brilliant in preparing without having to put in loads of work! Physical and mental recovery far quicker :)

10purplepansies · 07/06/2019 15:10

Went 2 weeks overdue with my first and just got told by midwife this is to do with cycle and likely to be the same second time around. Due in 6 weeks and just wondering how people's pregnancy durations varied for pregnancy to pregnancy..

seeingdots · 07/06/2019 20:33

I had a quick but hard induction birth with my first and an amazing spontaneous labour with my second. Had a long latent phase but I coped so much better with the pain and managed to keep my head and breathe through it all. The pushing stage was quick and I felt great after it - on a total high compared to the shell shock of the first time round. Hope yours is just as positive!

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