Having another baby after forceps birth

[lemorella]

I'm looking to hear of experiences with second labours for those who had forceps at their first.

I've just found out I'm pregnant with no.2. I have an 11mo. Childbirth first time round was not the yoga water birth I planned. It ended with me being blue lighted to the hospital from the birth centre, baby was back to back: forceps, an episiotomy and a bleed. Small infection in stitches afterwards but I've made a good recovery no real lasting physical effects.

I didn't think that my labour had really affected me in any way but now I'm starting to think about my next one I've realised it really has. Whilst I truly appreciate steps were taken to deliver baby safely and keep us both alive, I felt so utterly out of control with the last one it's definitely influenced the choices I'd make at my next one.

If you had forceps at your first what did you plan for your second birth and did you get it?
Did the hangover from labour 1 affect you at all?

I had forceps and episiotomy with my first nearly 3 years ago. It was a very long labour and recovery was pretty awful.
I recently had baby number 2 6 weeks ago and it couldn't have been more different.
I arrived at the hospital at half 3, I was 5cm on arrival and found the contractions to be painful but just bareable. Things ramped up quickly and baby was born 2 hours later with only 2 pushes. No instruments required. Did have to have a few stitches though. We went home that night. Andy recovery has been so easy in comparison.

I had ventouse assistance with dd1. I needed counselling before ttc dd2 as once we'd decided to try again it all came flooding back and I was a bit of a mess.

I did hypnotherapy with counselling and also hyonobirthing for dd2 and I couldn't have had a better experience. It was amazing.

I actually feel 'lucky' in that I know what a shit birthing experience feels like and a great one.

DC1 - forceps following induction, stitches after that took a while to heal but all fine

DC2 - no instruments following induction - I tore slightly but stitches healed much faster that time.

The only problem I found with DC1 is that nobody really told me what they were doing, "we're just going to help baby out" - read: "we're cutting you and using forceps". Or when the consultant who was stitching me, put his finger up my arse to check the stitches, he didn't even warn me what was he was doing.

I was a bit upset by it but far more grateful that DC1 was safe (heart rate dipping during contractions etc)
When I was writing my birth plan for DC2, I insisted that I be told what was happening. To the point of me saying to the midwife "I don't care what you have to do to me to get my baby out safely, I just want to know what you're doing. If I'm out of it, tell DH"

I had a forceps for my first and found the delivery really traumatic. My stitches were infected and painful for a long time afterwards.

I was definitely scared going into my second labour but it couldn’t have been more different. Second baby was a water birth and she was out in probably 3-4 pushes. I still tore and needed stitching but the pain was minimal and very manageable. Light and day between the two experiences.

I’m pregnant with my 3rd and very keen to have a water birth again if I can.

*night and day

My first was forceps delivery.

Second was back to back, stuck, vontousse, forceps and epitosomy.

If I had my time again I'd of been requesting a section.

BUT no two are the same and I'd take it step by step just baring in mind all options

Similar story to @itzybitzy here. Had second baby via forceps (1st was emcs). 3rd baby quick and easy. arrived at hospital 5cm dilated gave birth to baby 1hr 15 mins later in 3 pushes.

First baby ventouse episiotomy and 2nd degree tear

Second forceps episiotomy and 3b tear

Third elective section 8 days ago and honestly feel amazing if I could go back I would have had section with second aswell. Also my first and second we're both back to back x

First baby was a forceps delivery after an epidural left me unable to push effectively. I was lucky in that I had no complications afterwards and healed well.

I had DS2 16 months later, had a normal delivery as I'd hoped to. I did tear a bit and stitches took a while to heal, but no problems really.

Third delivery was a plannred home birth, baby arrived in three pushes and I had a very slight graze that didn't need stitches.

First baby was forceps after a 24hr Labour. Second baby was homebirth after 3hr labour. I really didn’t enjoy my experience in hospital with DD1 at all, but DD2 birth was totally different. DC3 was a 12hr back to back labour at home, it was hard work but delivered him in the end - I’m sure that if he had been my 1st it would have ended up in forceps though!

I opted for an ELCS because there was no way I was going to risk what happened with DC1 happen again. It didn’t go 100% to plan but I felt much more in control which helped.

I have forceps with my DD after a long labour and being in the pool initially I also had an episiotomy, she was 8.lb13.

I just had my second baby DD is two DS is 7 weeks and I didn't need forceps I was scared that I would again as it traumatised me first time round but no forceps this time I did tear again but didn't need an episiotomy and recovery was so much better this time round I feel.

Oh and he was 10lb 6! Hahaha

I had an epidural, failed ventouse, forceps and episiotomy first time round. I was OK but a little grey and sore!!

Second time, I had a water birth with only a slight graze! Totally different.

There is no reason why it will be the same, so dont worry too much. Just write your birth plan and be prepared to adapt if necessary.

I had a very similar birth to you first time around. A very long back to back labour that ended with episiotomy and ventouse. I repeatedly asked for an epidural as I was in agony but was denied one as there were no beds in the consultant-led ward.
I was terrified the same would happen second time round and went through the process of considering an elective c-section. However, my second birth couldn’t have been more different. It started with my waters breaking and then after a few hours of contractions (that never got more painful than what I’d felt at about 3cm dilation first time round) my son was born in a birthing pool.
I actually found it really healing to have a positive birth after my first experience and can watch programmes about birth/pregnancy again without feeling sick!

Thank you for your responses it's very reassuring to hear so many of you went on to have less complicated births. It's made me consider trying a water birth again...

My friend had a very long labour, ending in forceps with her first. I'm not sure if she had been induced or not.
Her second was a quick, easy unassisted delivery with no problems. She said when she arrived and was examined, she didn't believe the midwife, who said baby would be there imminently, as her first had taken so long. Midwife was right!!