Positive second birth stories after forcep and episiotomy first births!

[Lizbiz89]

Please can you share your stories of second labours if you had forcep first deliveries!? I'm due to give birth in a few weeks and I'm so scared my vagina is going to be ruined forever after the second one. Also do you have any good tips for second labour?

Second was like popping out a pea. No drugs. Very quick. Enjoyable really! It was painful but I found it very interesting. You also get a rush if natural chemicals at the end of each contraction. I was basically high.

First was very hard and 17 hours ending in forceps.

Also read Juju Sundin Birth Skills. It actually explains what labour is which seems little talked about.

Yes, first birth not good but second brilliant.
I went to pregency yoga and learned to breath, my waters broke in the night, I went to hospital 8am and they tried to send me home, I refused (had arranged childcare and didn’t want to mess around) they put me in a room and left me alone with DH, I had a tens machine and just breathed through contractions, got to a point several hours later where they were close together so husband went and got someone, she was a bit concerned and said could I walk as there was no time to get a wheelchair, we got a lift and were in the birthing suite in 5 mins, I had gas and air and he was born 20 mins later, just two midwifes helping, all quiet and calm, it was lovely.
I did have to have some stitches but the gas and air worked a treat.
I worried as my first birth was so far from what I’d imagined, but the second one was lovely it made me feel great and was such a great start.
Good luck with everything.

I also did pregnancy yoga. Very helpful indeed.

First was 36 hours, epidural, episiotomy, ventouse and forceps. Was fucking hideous.

Second is 5 weeks old and snoozing beside me. Labour was 3.5 hours, no intervention just had gas and air, wanted a water birth but no time! Second degree tear which didn’t give me any bother after day 2 and has healed beautifully.

Similar to others, episiotomy and forceps for the first. Second relatively easy (when they finally agreed to examine me and bring out the gas and air). The pushing stage didn’t last long and I had a few stitches for a second d degree tear. Recovery was a breeze compared to the first.

First - induction, forceps, episiotomy. 49 hour labour. Was horrific and recovery took weeks.

Second - 4.5 hours natural much less painful and no tears whatsoever.

I too did pregnancy yoga and hypnobirthing for the 2nd which I helped so much with breathing, dealing with pain etc etc

My DM had a gruesome episiotomy/forceps/72 hour labor/maternal sepsis/epidural job with her first and a textbook normal, no instruments, actually turned down pain relief with her second even though she was a back to back baby.

Thanks for all of the replies! Sounds like on a whole second labours are a lot more promising. I've been doing hypnobirthing to try and get myself more mentally prepared this time! Last time I was completely naive to everything that was going to happen which I don't want this time.

You got this OP. I requested a water birth but they didn't even get the taps on. I wish you a beautiful birth.

Forceps delivery with my first one, second one popped out no bother. I did have a slight tear, but it didn't cause any problems. Hope all goes well for you, good luck.

I had an episiotomy and forceps delivery with my first...

My second I had at home in a birthday pool!

Disappointingly though I still had to go to hospital for stitching as the tear was too bad for the midwife to do at home!

Btw my vagina isn't ruined even after horrid tearing! Please don't panic and I wish you all the luck for a smooth labour!

First delivery identical to OP's.
Second labour and delivery less than two hours, no stitches, no pain relief.
It was lovely.

After first traumatic birth (forceps, ventouse, episiotomy, the works), my second was lovely. Had a small tear but otherwise no intervention.

I actually asked for a csection before birth. Head midwife at hospital persuaded me to give natural birth a go and said they would intervene much earlier and give me a csection if it looked to be going the same way as last time. This really reassured me.

Thanks everyone! I will definitely keep you posted in the next couple of weeks! Trying to keep in a positive mindset! Fingers crossed!

@Lizbiz89 so much good luck.

If you have time after you've had your baby I'd love to hear how it went. I'm in the same situation - absolutely terrified - and would be great to hear a positive/realistic story.

I didnt have forceps for dd1 but did have a ventouse and a completely retained placenta. I spent 15 hours with very strong contractions from the start. Dd2 came out in less than three hours. No tears, no stitches. Easy!

First birth induction, episiotomy, forceps.

Second birth, at home in the pool, a small amount of gas and air.

Everything is good enough down there, some years later!

I feel like I have been sewn up quite tight which is another reason I am scared of the same thing happening again. I can't imagine the scar tissue area will stretch properly either. Has anyone had experience of this and it been ok?

I know this is an older thread but it's really relevant to me.

Those of you who had good second births after a long and traumatic first one - did you do anything differently the second time or do you think it's just luck / your body is more prepared?

First time round I dod hypnobirthing, yoga, the works. Ended up with 48hrs of agony, failure to progress, failed ventouse, and eventually forceps. DS had to be resuscitated, and I suffered terrible injuries.

Second time round, I was prepared to just take all the drugs and have a C section at the first opportunity. But no... DD was born in the pool, no pain relief, less than an hour after getting to the hospital
I didn't do anything different. Sheer luck IMO.

DC1 very painful induction, all the different pain relief ended up with forceps episiotomy as DC1 heartbeat dropped due to cord around his neck. Was very frightening and traumatic.

DC2 amazingly peaceful gas and air birth. I saw a reflexologist for 4 months before due date to help relax me and focus my mind, hypnobirthing and kept more active by exercising more throughout pregnancy. Took my own playlist for labour with my favourite songs which lifted me when I needed it. Danced and rocked on birthing ball right up until DC2 was crowning.

DC3 due in 8 weeks. Doing everything the same as DC2 and hoping for some sleep before baby arrives

Loving all these posts and positive stories! I literally came on to ask the same question so this makes me feel better! I dread having another birth like last time so hoping this one will be easier!!🤞🤞Another 17 weeks til I find out lol! @Lizbiz89 hope your birth went well xx😊😊

@Pinky8383 I had an fantastic labour in the end. Didn't realise I was in full labour most of the day. Arrived at birth centre when the real pain started. Nipped in the birth pool and baby was born 20 minutes later! I did have a second degree tear but it was absolutely nothing compared to the episiotomy and forcep recovery. Think the tearing was more to do with my ds being 9.5 pounds though! I highly recommend using the positive birth company digital pack. It was a game changer for me. Anyway wishing you a positive birth experience this time! X