Second birth options after forceps

[Justbecause88]

First birth was a shit show, 21 hour labour which ended in being blue lighted to hospital and a forceps delivery. I am now 23 weeks pregnant with number 2 and very keen to not repeat the whole ordeal. Did people find their second births were generally quicker? Anyone have any positive second birth stories after a forceps for their first? In 2 minds on wether to attempt another water birth or just go full on medically managed and for an epidural?!

My first was forceps, no time for epidural and resulted in a 3rd degree tear. My second birth was gas and air for contractions and then nothing for the actual pushing. DC2 came quickly but naturally and i had a 2nd degree tear. Second labour was much calmer despite having to be on a monitor to check baby's heartrate.

First birth in labour Thurs-Monday, forceps delivery, episiotomy, in theatre while being prepped for section.

Second birth 4 hours start to finish, only had gas and air for pain relief, no tears/episiotomy, totally good experience.

Don't make a decision without finding out the risks for you long term (incontinence, internal scarring etc) if you require a second forceps birth.

Why not have an elective c-section?

For me, first birth did not go as I had planned and I was offered an emergency c-section which I (selfishly) refused as I had my heart set on natural delivery. I deeply regret my decision due to its impact on baby and also me. Forceps can cause huge damage to women. There is no prize for enduring an awful birth experience.

I had an internal and external vag repair at the 6 month mark to try to reduce the forceps damage and continence issues.

I insisted on elective c-section for my 2nd and 3rd births.
Both c-sections were an excellent experience for my babies and also for me. No problems breastfeeding. Recovery after c-section is very quick nowadays.

My sister required forceps births for both her children. We are not close but via my mother I understand that incontinence continues to be a real issue. She doesn't have health insurance so has not had corrective surgery (we are in Australia).

First was forceps. Second I'd decided I wasnt messing around attempting to breathe through contractions etc and I was going straight into epidural.

What actually happened is I went from 3cm to 10cm in 5 minutes, when they confirmed I was 10cm baby was born 5 mins later. My active labour was noted as 8min. One tiny stitch for a tear. Totally different recovery process😊

My first was 36 hours all natural and my second was 4 hours with an epidural, episiotomy and suction delivery.

It is likely the second labour will be shorter - but I would be careful thinking about epidurals as they can numb you so much you aren't able to push and that makes it more likely you'll need forceps again (happened to me with my second birth, hence the episiotomy and ventouse).

First too horrific to describe in detail and had forceps too. Double episiotomy and 3 x fentons procedures afterwards.

Second, the consultant was prepared to induce at 37 weeks to keep baby smaller and had a natural birth with just gas and air (which made me sick first time). Not even a tear. Was altogether lovelier.

DC1 - 36hr labour which included epidural and then an episiotomy & forceps delivery in theatre whilst being prepped for a c-section as her heart rate kept dropping --and they were understaffed so
I'd been pushing for 3 hours--
DC2 - born less than 36 minutes after we got to the hospital and I'd only gone as I was 11 days overdue and kept being sick so my MW thought they should check me. I only pushed three times. With the first push, I remember thinking "oh" as I could actually feel him moving down, something I never felt with giant headed DC1

The reasons someone will need forceps are so varied it’s unlikely you would need them again?
My first baby was forceps as she was an undetected premature footling breech, the whole thing was absolutely traumatising. I’ve since had 4 more which were all straightforward and didn’t need any intervention.
My daughters first baby needed forceps as every time she pushed he came out and went back in again, so they used forceps to kind of hang on to him and stop him going back in every time she stopped pushing. No reason why that would happen again. Next baby might not have massive shoulders !
Every birth is different and just because you had a hard time before doesn’t mean it will be the same again, and this time you will have the benefit of experience, good luck with your new baby.