Is second labour easier?

[ADTB]

Hey

I've got a 7 month old LB and recently been thinking of having a second baby some time in the next couple of years.

BUT my labour/childbirth experience with my LB has traumatised me a bit and wondered if any of you had a traumatic first birth and went on to have an easier second birth?

I was induced with my first because he was measuring small (he was 8lbs 1oz) so wasn't able to manage the contractions at home which I had hoped to do for a while and I ended up being cut and had emergency forceps delivery and wasn't able to walk or move about much for 8 weeks post baby. I had also been put on a drip wrongly to speed up labour when it was already happening too fast for baby to deal with and he ended up getting distressed and stuck in the birth canal. For that reason I wasn't able to move on the bed, could only lie on my left hand side and got shouted at by the midwife whenever I flinched during a contraction

The thought of going through it again really scares me but I don't want it to put me off adding to my family..

First of all, I would talk to someone about your experience.
Secondly, while my first birth was pretty straightforward, the second was definitely a heck of a lot better.

I know many women who had bad first births, but great second ones. My mum was one of them (me being the worse birth)

Hopefully you'll get some first-hand experiences though to help you decide

I had a long not to bad with first,2nd was quick and no time for pain relief,3rd twins induced went quick and we'll,now I'm waiting for number 5,I think every birth is different,your 2nd could be totally opposite to first ,try not to let it put u off

I think most people have better subsequent births. It is definitely worth asking if your hospital has a birth reflections service.

For me, absolutely yes! Totally different, if I wasn't ancient I'd even do it a third time!

My first birth sounds similar to yours.

I would suggest you ask for a birth debrief it may even helpful for you.

My second birth was completely different. Spontaneous labour, home until 5cms, no drugs, FER. Was amazing! By far my favourite of all 4.

First birth induced, sweep, syntocin drip, failed ventouse, forceps, episiotomy. Not pleasant.
Second birth spontaneous, 20 minutes of initial pain, then 15 minutes of actual giving birth. No time for pain relief except gas and air.
Think it’s quite common for second births to be much easier and quicker.

Thank you ladies, you've all given me a bit of hope.

I will definitely look into debrief and speaking to someone about my experience.. didn't even cross my mind to do that. Just thought you dealt with it and cracked on with being a mum

I’m sorry you had such a bad first birth. Mine too was pretty awful and so very long - so much so I couldn’t face the thought of having another for 3 years.

My 2nd birth was easy. I didn’t realise I was in established labour until the midwife called round and found I was 8cms dialated. I had an unplanned home birth where my husband got to deliver my son. He wasn’t small either at 9lbs.

My first labour was like yours, I was 2 weeks late so induced, put on the drip and eventually forceps. The drip was agony with intense contractions every 10 seconds with no break for hours. What I hadn't realised was that I was having s hypersensitivity reaction to the induction drugs.

Second labour, same thing happens, 2 weeks late, induction, hypersensitivity reaction with 8 contractions every 10 mins, distressed baby but not dialated more than 2 cm after 10hrs. Managed to just avoid forceps and EMCS by having an epidural and fluids to get baby to calm down as each contraction was causing distress.

Lesson I learnt was that I have hypersensitivity to induction drugs so if I ever needed to go through that again I'd ask for the epidural asap.

Like you my first birth was hell after being induced. Neither me or the baby reacted well to the drip, after 12 hours in labour I needed an episiotomy and the healing for that took months.

Second birth wasn’t induced and took two hours from the first contraction to baby being born, natural birth in water. Still painful of course but so much nicer in comparison! Able to walk around fine and sit up in bed pain free the same day. I think hold out on being induced unless there’s a good medical reason for it.

Thank you ladies.

Can I ask how long those of you who had a similar birth experience waited before going through it again?

It does make me feel better that almost everyone had a better experience second time around

In my case very much so. I had 2nd at home as I had a 1st similar to yours. I hypnobirthed too the 2nd time.

My DD1 was an easy birth, perhaps because I was only seven months along and she was born within an hour after my waters breaking, but my twins and triplets were quite difficult.

My twins were also born when I was seven months along but DD3 took her sweet time to come out after DD2. She were born right before midnight, so we nearly had twins with separate birthdays! DD1 was born in May and the twins were born in the January after, so there is only a seven month gap between them but they're going to be in separate school years (poor teachers either way, my twins are going to terrorise them).

My triplets were born at eight months along and they were my worst birth yet. They're three months old at the end of December and I didn't even know I was pregnant with them until I was six months along so in July I found out. DS1 was born within two hours of my water breaking, and then I actually went unconscious for DS2 and DD4 to be born! My DS was in the room for the birth and she panicked more than the doctors. I woke up a few hours after they were born and I was in agony. I don't think I'll be having any more after the triplets because six of them is a lot and I was a bit traumatised by the birth, but I think if I could have any more, I would love to.

I wouldn't worry too much about the birth this time around, because you can always find other options and stuff, like home births or dulas or other things and some births are always worse than others, but if you want another baby then go for it! I loved growing up with my five siblings and we're all still so close, and I know my kids will be really close too.

Hope it all works out for you!xx

I had my second 13 months after my first because it was so traumatic I thought if I had time to dwell I would never do it again

I didn't find the second much easier / less painful but it was definitely quicker - about half the time overall and pushing phase much faster. My first birth was ok though so different to you. I felt a bit shaken after the second because it was so much faster and I'd only had a midwife with me for the very end, the last few minutes. She also nearly didn't catch the baby! I'm sure I remember reading that second labours are on average about half the length of first labours.

My first labour was 34 hours and second was 13 hours so a bit less than half the time

My first was 36 hours then an emergency c section second was 1 hour 50 mins and the easiest one third was 9 hours forceps and been cut my 4th I've asked for a c section been booked in next month at my 28 weeks appointment everyone of mine was different

Me! First birth waters broke, no contractions for 24hrs, induced on drip, baby got stuck 'coming round the bend' as they called it, failed ventouse, forceps, 3b tear. Only 12 hours but completely Hideous (yet totally worth it). Distinctly remember telling my husband there was no way I could do it again. Ever.

Fast forward 15 months & I'm pregnant again.

2nd birth amazing. Laboured at home overnight, went to hospital 4-5cm, got into the pool, gas & air, stayed in pool whole time & she arrived 8 hours after arriving at hospital. In labour for 18 hours so longer but managed it much better.