Second labour just as awful as first or pleasant surprise?

[Lizbiz89]

Were your second labours any better than first? I had a horrible first labour but feel more mentally prepared for this one. Did your second labours go a bit more smoothly than your first?

Like night and day. Both were spontaneous rupture. The first ended up on a drip, and then epidural, and forceps (thank god for the epidural), and an intubated baby in neonatal. Horrible stitches on the episiotomy, broken coccyx, PND and long recovery.

Second was still quite long (21h from waters breaking, slow for the first 12, then things got moving). Born in water, I caught baby, physiological 3rd stage, breastfed, stitches, a bit of dinner and the straight home. Recovery was very good.

The thing that surprised me though was that there wasn’t much difference in the pain. Both hurt the same. But one experience was out of control and one was me doing things my own way. Being part of the decision (not going with what they say but questioning and making decisions) makes a massive difference

First labour I went in to hospital at 1am and he was born at 11am. It wasn’t fun.
Second labour, sauntered into hospital at 7 to get checked over and baby was born at 7:15. Shocked was an understatement. But yeah, a pleasant surprise!

I found my second much more painful (despite the first being augmented with the drip and no pain relief) but it was quicker. I felt very shellshocked after number 2. I think my PGP caused the severe pain though.

I did feel really cheated because everyone had told me it would be so much easier and I found it worse. I’m still a bit upset by it actually.

The second one was a complete breeze, quick, felt 'right' and I felt deeply relaxed- blissful.
The third was even worse than the first, though which i wouldn't have thought possible!

Second was much easier psychologically, and I felt that my body had done it before and just got on with it.

It was faster and more intense and painful than the first. But I wasn’t scared, overwhelmed or frightened.

I was also at home for the second so I felt more in control (or at least not the same loss of control and autonomy)

Both labours were good. First was just less than 4 hours. Second was 19 minutes from first contraction! So bloody quick!!