Positive second births after difficult first birth?

[Basil2021]

Hi everyone, am midway through second pregnancy and feeling very anxious about giving birth. Am trying to be positive. Baby was over two weeks late in the end, long induction ending in forceps.
Does anyone have any easier stories after a similar first experience?
If first baby was very late is second likely to be too?
Any advice? I'd really like to do it without an epidural this time so any advice much appreciated.

It has been suggested I have an elective c-section but I'd rather just have a straightforward 'normal' birth, but I know there's no way of knowing that.

Meant to say - 3rd labour. 1 paracetamol (mostly for something to do!).

No advice but following as I’m in the same position. Like you I may be advised to go for a section this time, I’m yet to discuss it with the consultant, but I’d really rather have a straightforward vaginal birth if possible but there’s no guarantee of that.

I had a third degree tear last time but it was a 3a, the least severe type of third degree tear. I did have to have follow-up repair surgery though.

I’m worried about prolapse as my first birth (rapid labour, big baby) did leave me with a mild bladder prolapse. Don’t want that to get any worse.

Sorry - I’m not being very helpful!

First 10 days over, 36 hour labour, large episiotomy (they did a second cut to make it longer) massive blood loss. Second 3 days early, home birth, 4 hour labour, much much easier.

Good luck op!

Thank you everyone for your kind replies
I am feeling a bit more positive now. I think I will go for a vaginal delivery but be realistic. Try to do it without an epidural (it didn’t work properly for me first time so wasn’t that great) but if I need one just go for it.
I hope I don’t get induced again, but it seems second labours are much quicker so fingers crossed.

Sorry to jump on your thread but did anyone have a big age gap between 1 and 2 and still have an easier 2nd birth?
Wishing you lots of luck, OP!

First baby: 47 hour labour (with induction), forceps, flat baby intubated in the NICU. Didn’t see him for hours, didn’t know if he was alive or dead. Terrible pnd, bonding issues. Utterly broken by it (and by the broken coccyx I was left with).

Second baby: relaxed and in the pool. I caught him, delivered the placenta naturally, and went home 6 hours later to sleep in my own bed. Recovery was totally fine, had a lovely maternity leave.

It can totally happen.

@thebattleofschrutefarms yes 5 years between mine and second birth was far easier with gas and air and episiotomy but still quicker and easier than the first!

@thebattleofschrutefarms I had seven years between mine.