second birth easier or harder?

[leanoracat]

I'm 38+6 with dc2 and I can't make up my mind whether the anticipation is easier this time round because I have more idea what to expect, or whether I am actually dreading it more because I KNOW what to expect. How did other second timers cope with it?

DD First 10 hrs with epidural and forceps delivery and longish recovery time.
DS Second 1hr 10 mins from start to finish delivered on my own with g&a 10lb 3 was shocked but sooo much easier.
But did worry more about birth second time around, and will prob worry even more third time (hopefully)around! Good luck

Forgot to put no recovery time at all with second really, was home same day felt brill!

After pains are worse!!

2nd was easier. And faster

I worried about the birth bit as i knew i had done it before.
DD was born 3 weeks early and the birth was quicker, much nicer and an all round better experience. I am also recovering much quicker this time.

I was the same. Dreading it more as knew what to expect, but it was reassuring knowing what was going on with the second birth. I knew when dd2 was coming out as I remembered it from dd1. Was just as painful but I pushed far more effectively cos I knew it would be over quicker if I just got on with it.
DD2 was quicker too once they'd broken my waters.

I know what you mean - ignorance is bliss aye.
I was a mixxture of calmer cos I knew what was ahead and then terriefied as I knew what to expect!

DD1 was 7.7 and took 6 hours.
DD2 was 8.4 and took 4 hours.

The faster delivery and bigger baby made it more intense, so yes a little more painful. I was certainly aware that this was a biiger baby the 2nd time round but i was even calmer throughout the 2nd birth.

Hmmmmm dd2 was bigger than dd1 but I didn't notice a difference. Could be that dd2 was easier cos dd1 came out with her arm up around her head and I had to push that out too[wince]

She gouged me too with her hand. Very lucky she didn't get stuck actually.

much easier

DD1 4h 20mins G&A BUT was in agony from the off which really scared me as MWs were telling me I would have hours of this to come, as it happens I was dilating v quickly, afterwards 2nd degree tear loads of stitches nearly had retained placenta too.

DD2 2h 30mins (would have been quicker as was fully dilated in 30 minutes but waters were intact) G&A, homebirth, only a graze despite her being 9lbs 3ozs so 3lbs heavier than her sister was.

Funny thing was I had decided I would be all serene this time and tell myself each contraction was one less etc as I had went to pieces with DD1 and was shouting at anyone to just come and shoot me I think. When the first few pains came with DD2 I remembered them so vividly I went to peices again and cried and shouted my way through labour.

No it just means I have a small and perfectly formed fanjo!!!!

I found knowing what was going to happen made me more relaxed,especially in the early stages but it was harder towards the end. ds1 was 9lb7 though, so quite a bit up from the 8lb I delivered first time. Agree that afterpains are worse too, I had to breathe through them while bfeeding.

Can't believe you have reminded me of the afterpains, oh nooooooooooooo. Gutted. Must erase that thought from my head.

My second birth was definitely easier and I recovered a lot quicker - it was a lot longer though, but I think that was more to do with size (DS2 was twice the size than DS1, who was born at 31 weeks)

my second was so much easier and quicker. just gas and air, I felt like I was in total control as I knew what to expect
good luck

in my experience much easier and he was a big boy weighing 10lbs

DS#1 under 4 hours normal birth 8lb 4oz!
DS#2 under 3 hours normal birth 8lb 14oz!

half the time and much easier, faster recovery too

easier but much more frightened beforehand. I cried.

my second was a lot easier and i like the fact that i knew i could do it i had done it one ok so i could do it again

bump...anyone?

Just done 2nd VBAC at home. Not easier but quicker and nicer if that makes any sense. I found it easier to manage (and get support from midwife etc), still painful (had no pain relief), but very rewarding and once you get into it I'm sure you'll be fine. BEST OF LUCK - just keep saying you can !!!

And now, the day after my due date, I feel really lousy - bad back ache, what feels like period pain in my belly, and more painful, but sadly irregular tightenings. Not to mention the tears ( but a lovely cuddle from my toddler, changing the bed linen, doing all the washing and ironing and tidying the house. Early labour anyone?
Still going to walk up to the polling station and exercise my democratic right to vote though.

I am not pregnant with my second yet but am thinking about getting pregnant again next year. I keep thinking my head 'can i go through childbirth again' and 'can i do the newborn stage with night feds again' with a toddler? It is constantly on my mind!