Are second births REALLY easier?

[halpert]

Honestly? I know it depends entirely on the person and situation- but it would be nice to hear from parents who didn't necessarily have an easy none of it's easy birthing experience the first time round who found it much easier the second?

Sorry, but my second labour/birth was twice as long and much harder all round. But he was a much bigger baby than the first so that could have had something to do with it.

My first labour was 12 hours of pushong, and involved an episiotomy and ventouse. DD(4) and I were both in distress by the end so they had to call the doctor in and get her out. I did have an epidural and was on my back, which probably didn't help!

And then DS(6 months)... Five hours of contractions. Got to the hospital at 12:45, he arrived at 13:05! On my hands and knees, no interventions apart from G&A - he didn't have time for that! Small tear along previous scar and I did have problems afterwards with the placenta, though.

First was 19 hours or so, back to back-ventouse then forceps.

Second was 6 hours- still back to back but she moved at the last minute and after two pushes she was out.

Still very intense but definitely shorter.

Not necessarily easier , but shorter and with no intervention required.

Mine was much easier.

1st birth. 30 hours of labour. 14 hours of active labour before they called a halt and did a Csection. Massive PPH.

2nd birth. 10 hours of labour. 2 hours of active labour. Natural birth. Small PPH. (Me:- “Are you sure that counts as a haemorrhage- I lose nearly that much when I donate blood!”)

My consultant, when trying to pursuade me I didn't want a section said;

"I won't say second deliveries are easier, but they are usually more straightforward"

I'm having a section!

2nd was harder than the first, but the 5th was the most painful of them all 🙈

Both relatively easy
But
1st - 9 hrs in total took 2hrs of pushing
2nd - 1 hour 45 mins in total. Baby literally fell out unexpectedly at home. Bloody painful mind

First labour - about ten hours then 45 mins pushing, theatre after for retained placenta

Second - just over 90 mins then about 5 mins pushing

The second felt horrendous at the time as it escalated so so quickly - contractions became constant without any breaks really about 45 minutes in and I had no time for pain relief - but I felt fantastic straight away after, could have gone home straight away. In retrospect it was the easiest birth ever really. If I’d known how short it would be I think I would’ve coped better...instead of swearing at everyone and threatening the (blameless, and very kind) anaesthetist . DS was slightly shocked by his hasty arrival and slept for about 2 months (then proceeded to make up for that ).

Second was more painful but quicker and no damage (Big tear with my first) I recovered much much quicker 2nd time round physically and emotionally and breastfeeding was much easier too.

First labour was 39 hours - exhausting, painful & stressful.

Second labour was 12 hours - tiring & painful but less than first.

Third labour was about 6 hours pretty chilled out the whole time, only hard for the transition period & actual pushing which lasted minutes.

I'm sure some of how you find it is down to confidence. Obviously that's not something you can just 'get' but I was so much more relaxed on my third & wish I could have felt like that with my first & second.

My first was awful. Induction, all the drugs, shoulder dystocia, ventouse delivery, baby very poorly in special care. Oh and 34 hours long. 10 days in hospital.

Second spontaneous labour, no drugs, vaginal birth, 13 hours long. Nice healthy baby home 6 hours later.

First was 22 hours long I was exhausted by the end of it with around an hour of pushing if I remember right.
Second 3 and a half hours from first contraction. Literally shot out ended up in theatre after due to 3rd degree tear.

First birth 12 hours, baby got stuck, needed forceps and tore very badly. Baby and I pretty distressed.

Second birth I would do all over again any day!! 5 hours, no intervention needed and was an incredible (though painful, obviously) experience...I felt so empowered by it!!

Wishing you a good birth experience.

First was two DAYS
Second was just over an hour from the first contraction

Second much easier - but glad we lived near hospital - had baby within 4 minutes of arriving, just got my trousers off in time

First was five days of contractions before getting close to hospital, on a drip, forceps getting ready before he emerged,

Second was 24 hours of contractions (but not really terrible until about 15 hours in), baby born in the pool two hours after I got to the birth centre.

Both back to back but completely different.

Yes mine was much easier.

Second was longer and more complicated- contractions kept stopping, baby was large and had his arm up near his head superman style. They suggested episiotomy and if that didn't work instrumental delivery, I refused both but agreed to a drip to regulate contractions and he was born very shortly after they'd put the drip in.
I had barely any pain relief though and recovered really quickly afterwards compared to my first birth.

Thank you for sharing 😊 I really enjoy other people's birthing stories. I wouldn't say I'm nervous to go through it again- I'm excited! I know it bloody hurts but what you walk away with is so worth it

I won't be saying that when I'm in labour though

Second was horrendous but she was lying ' back to back' with me which is apparently why.

In 95% of cases, yes. I say this personally and as a midwife. Occasionally someone will have a longer, more complicated or much more painful labour, but generally second babies are a DREAM. Third babies are much more unpredictable!

THIS DOES NOT FEEL EASIER!

Sorry, in early labour with DC2 and hating it!

Phoenix - that's music to my ears ❤️ thank you

@Endofrelationship ah oh my gosh! I can imagine! I hope all goes well for you, I'm sure it'll be over soon. I imagine you're doing really well, big hugs 😘

It was certainly quicker though!