Drug free second birth after drug free first birth

[secondbabyy]

I'm currently 29 weeks pregnant with my second. I plan on having a drug free birth after my first being drug free.

I was induced with my first at 41+3. He was 9.7lbs. The time from being induced until I gave birth was around 16 hours. Didn't have any pain relief but used a TENS machine. I tried gas and air once but it made me sick and I threw up so didn't use it again. Other than that I though labour/giving birth wasn't that bad or that painful. I think I was panicking more than actually being in pain.

I plan on doing the same for this birth too, just using a TENS machine. How naive am I to think that this birth will be the same? Because I think I'm too laidback about it, like I think it's going to be easy. My thinking is if I can give birth to an over 9lb baby drug free I should be fine....right?

It sounds like you did really well. Labour is different for everyone, but having coped with your first like that my expectation would be that you’ll be fine. There are always moments when you think “I can’t do this”, but clearly you can and you did!
Are you home birthing? Good luck!

I have to say, I've had 4 deliveries (sadly one was stillborn) and the intensity was the same with each one. I honestly could not have carried on without an epidural. But that's me.
Your first labour and delivery says everything about what you can do. It's very likely that your second delivery will be similar and shorter. Just have a back-up plan, just in case. I think we tend to have one anyway. If it all gets too much, there's a plan B. And don't let that disappoint you if that's the road you end up travelling, which you probably won't.
The most important thing is that your little one arrives safely and soundly. And that should be paramount. My feeling is, it'll all go as well as your first time.
Best of luck.

I had home births with all of mine, gas and air for first, 10lb 1oz but nothing with the second 8lb 8oz. I didn’t aim for drug free but it happened and as long as you have an open mind then you will find yourself relaxing more and therefore more able to go longer with nothing. I used other techniques, lots of walking to shake the pain off and tried some hypno birthing (but I found myself too chatty!)

I wouldn't go in with any expectations, the only prize you get at the end is the baby!

If you want to do it, it’s your choice. But don’t be disappointed if you do need painkillers

You don't get a medal so go with how you feel on the day. I only had gas and air but I would of killed for stronger stuff I just didn't have time.

It's a great aspiration but also be kind to yourself. I was like you and had a drug free first birth, then my second birth was a lot harder as my baby was posterior position and I ended up with an epidural - at the time I'd been so convinced that I'd be drug free again that I beat myself up about it, and wish I hadn't, it cast a pall over what should have been a joyful time no matter how the labour progressed.

Third was then an emergency c section due to a health issue with my baby, which blew all my plans out the water!

I had a drip induction with my first and only used gas & air and didn't find it too bad. I only discovered afterwards that the drip is usually given with an epidural. I spent my second pregnancy worrying that I was deluding myself about how it had been, but second was absolutely fine. Had a home birth with no pain relief (not because I was anti-pain relief, just never got to a stage where I felt I needed it). Third was the same again. So much depends on the baby's positioning though, and I think the length of labour has a lot to do with it.

I just had my 3rd baby at home after first 2 with epidurals, it was manageable with just tens and pool, but I had done a lot of walking this time which boosts blood flow to the uterus and reduces pain. Are you quite physically active?

I used a TENS machine and/or water for both of my births. No other pain relief.

My first was a drip induction in hospital and second was a totally unaugmented labour and water birth in a small midwife unit. First baby was only 6lb 10oz and a bloody nightmare to push out and needed an episiotomy (narrowly avoided forceps).
My second was over 8lb and came out so easily I couldn't quite believe it. Born into the water and was just a wonderful experience all round, calm, peaceful (only us in the tiny hospital in very early morning), powerful...
Don't get me wrong, my first was also equally amazing in terms of utter joy at meeting my baby... but much harder work, less of a calm environment, I felt broken afterwards etc). I felt much better after my second, up and about straight away and full of beans.

In both instances I am incredibly grateful that I managed without pain relief. I don't think there is anything wrong with having it if you want or need it... but for me it was right not to. I always intended to go with what needed to happen in the moment and I feel incredibly lucky to have had two pretty straightforward births.

I think as a GENERAL rule (not the case for everyone I know) second births are easier, so I would say you will have a reasonably good chance of being drug-free again. But always, always have an open mind for labour, as it can be very unpredictable.