Positive birth stories -2nd babies

[Pumpkinangel]

Hi, my second Baby is due in 3 days and I was just wondering if other ladies found their second babies came on time/ late or early? I’ve read a lot about the labour being quicker than first time babies but just wondered what other ladies experiences were? With my first he was 11 days late and I ended up having an episiotomy and 2nd degree tear, I was also left with a grade 2 rectocele prolapse which even with physio hasn’t really improved over the last few years. Just looking for some positive 2nd birth stories to keep me calm over the next few days 😊

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I had an eventful first labour. It was very long, painful and scary at times. Had 2 failed epidurals, forceps, told if baby doesn't arrive with next push then i will be taken into theatre. Was a long 44 hours. I was sh**ting myself with my 2nd. My waters broke at 1:40am. Contractions started at 2:30am. Was in active labour from 3:30 and baby arrived at 4:40. Very straight forward. I appreciated both labours for different reasons. My first gave me strength in my body that i didn't know i had. My second gave me a quicker recovery time. Every birthday is different and its hard to not focus on previous births. Have the confidence in yourself and your body and let it do what it's gotta do. The bonus is that your body has done this before so knows what to do this time. Good luck, you will be fine

I had a positive 2nd labour two weeks late after an induction and I don’t know how quick it was but I remember having to try and hold off as I couldn’t find a safe space to have DS (no room available and I hid in the toilet for a bit but didn’t want him to arrive there).
No pain relief offered it was so busy and I was glad I’d had a positive first labour too as it helped me keep calm; all went well and eventually I was given a room and midwife and he arrived within minutes after difficulty pushing when his shoulders got stuck (he was a big baby)
I hope yours goes well OP

My second labour was lovely. Was 37+4, woke up around 1am with contractions/period pains but wasn't 100% sure if it was the start as with my first I was induced so I didn't get that natural start off before. Went to run a bath to see if it would fizzle out but they ramped up quickly so thought sod that, turned the tap back off and went to go sit on my ball and time them. My app told me it was time to go lol so rang birth centre and rung my mum to sit at mine as my eldest was in bed asleep. Once I'd got to birth centre contractions were really intense, they had the pool ready and asked for a wee sample and to have a VE to see how far I was. As I tried to have a wee my waters went and then had lots of pressure and my body just started pushing, so straight in the pool and a few pushes later she was out by 3.20am. Was amazing compared to my first, I was terrified to give birth because of my first experience but it was brilliant and came out saying I'd do it again (currently pregnant with 3rd and due in a few weeks lol)

First labour : I try not to think about it.

Second labour : sneeze birth

Well not quite!! but she arrived within 5 minutes of getting to the delivery room (I nearly had her in triage) and the midwives high fived each other after she came out! It was very quick and very easy. No pain relief, none needed.

My first labour was pretty horrid - waters broke, labour started around 6 hours later, terribly painful contractions, arrived at hospital 9cm dilated but was denied an epidural for hours: pushed for 5 hours+ and had episiotomy & ventouse. Recovery wasn't too bad - took 6 weeks - but couldn't walk more than a few hundred metres for at least 2/3 weeks.

2nd labour was fab, wonderful home birth (you can peruse my posting history to see that this is something of a change of opinion on my part!!!) - waters broke at 9.33pm, contractions started at midnight. Baby born after 20 minutes of pushing at 4am in blow up birth pool. 2nd degree tear which has healed so much better and faster than my episiotomy - much more comfortable much more quickly.

1st baby was 7lb 5oz, 2nd was 9lb 6oz - the bigger baby was much easier! 2nd labours are an absolute doddle for most women.

I had a horrible first birth, the whole experience from beginning to end was just not something I had in mind, I felt I was not in control of anything that happened. Had a vontuse (SP?) delivery. My 2nd birth, was the most brilliant experience, I was in control this time. Just everything went perfectly, Im not sure of this is because I knew what to expect, or my body knew how to cope, but I would happily give birth again. And meeting my baby girl, was a dream. I felt all the rush of emotions I never felt the first time! Good luck!

First was a very long labour ending in a emcs. Second an unplanned VBAC, 12 hour labour only and episiotomy, number 2 arrived over a week early, number 1 was a fortnight late

My 2nd was 3 weeks early (as was my 1st) and was 10-15 mins for first contraction to birth.

My first was 2 weeks early and my second was 2 days early, it felt like I was waiting for ages! Second birth was much quicker with no pain relief and easier to recover from. Did have episiotomy and prolapse but 5 months on I don't notice either.

I love positive birth threads! First was an EMCS, second was a gorgeous vbac. Light pains after an acupuncture session 4pm , they went away then proper boggles around 8. Called the grandparents for 1 at 10, got to hospital midnight, Babs arrived 1:30, just gas and air. I would do it again in the morning. The only scary bit was, I was being so calm because of hypnobirthing the midwife didn’t realise how far along I was and they all got a bit of a shock when they saw the head! But it was great and so empowering after the first time. Best of luck

Boggles??? Niggles!!!

Thanks for this OP I need this too. I'm 36 weeks with my second, my first was a 30hr labour with limited pain relief, 2hrs of pushing followed by a ventouse delivery and episiotomy without any functioning pain relief and stitching again without effective pain relief. Followed by my wound later tearing open again a bit 5 weeks PP and needing some pelvic floor physio 9-12m PP as the muscles were weak and causing some symptoms. Oh and not to mention the PND and birth trauma. I'm terrified and have an appt with th consultant next week to discuss the possibility of an ELCS but I think deep down I want to try for another vaginal birth really, but I'm so scared of both options basically!