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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

Is second labour easier?

29 replies

kylierose15 · 18/06/2022 11:03

So with my first I was in labour 4 days, horrific I had to be induced, forceps and I struggled mentally
Now I'm expecting my second I really don't know if I want a c section or v birth.
Any advice
Thanks

OP posts:
BiscoffSundae · 18/06/2022 11:06

4 kids and weirdly my first was the easiest by far

lurchermummy · 18/06/2022 11:07

Usually yes - that's my personal experience and also my experience of supporting other women (doula). Induced labours are usually harder too as the body is not "ready" - do you know why they wanted to induce? If you can avoid this and allow labour to start spontaneously that should help too.

3amAndImStillAwake · 18/06/2022 11:08

My second was induced (first wasn't) at 37 weeks and was infinitely easier than my first.

DelurkingAJ · 18/06/2022 11:09

Mine certainly was. Narrowly missed a crash C-section with DS1 after 24 hours in labour, room full of people, DS2 arrived fairly calmly after about 4 hours with just a midwife.

LightandMomentary · 18/06/2022 11:09

3 DC here. No 1 was early water break and then 16 hours of faffing labour, induction pessary then 7 hours til delivery. DC2 was 3 hours from first contraction to out. DC3 was 5 hours from first contraction to out. NO comparison to first labour for me, although mine were close in age (just on 2 years apart each time).

Original poster
kylierose15 · 18/06/2022 11:14

lurchermummy · 18/06/2022 11:07

Usually yes - that's my personal experience and also my experience of supporting other women (doula). Induced labours are usually harder too as the body is not "ready" - do you know why they wanted to induce? If you can avoid this and allow labour to start spontaneously that should help too.

They thought she was going to be very small but ended up 6ib
We have a 36 week scan tomorrow and just wanted to know my options
I want to enjoy labour ( well as much as you can)
And not be anxious about forceps and being cut again

OP posts:
Mammyloveswine · 18/06/2022 11:51

I had lovely labour with number 2!

Pamparam · 18/06/2022 14:26

36 hours for my first, ending in drip, epidural, forceps. Second one was about 3 hours from the first 'proper' contraction.

Original poster
kylierose15 · 18/06/2022 14:27

Pamparam · 18/06/2022 14:26

36 hours for my first, ending in drip, epidural, forceps. Second one was about 3 hours from the first 'proper' contraction.

This is what my first was like but I was it was 4 days in total from induction and birth x

OP posts:
CallmeMrsPricklepants · 18/06/2022 14:27

Nope, both induced at 42+ a few. Both long inductions with drip, both times had a reaction to the induction meds that sent me into overdrive and caused problems for baby. Second time was easier in the sense I knew what was happening and to get an epidural! Second was also back to back to really make me work for it.

Chasingsquirrels · 18/06/2022 14:31

Anecdotal - my 1st was 2 hrs and my 2nd was 15 mins.

Mommabear20 · 18/06/2022 14:46

Second was much longer, and harder, bigger baby, and was back to back.

Loulou1712 · 18/06/2022 16:56

I had a very similar first birth, 24 hours after waters broke I was 'only 4cm' so was put on the drip, back to back baby, failed epidural, suction cup to turn baby then episiotomy and forceps (with just gas and air) baby needed resuscitation and I had a large pph needing bimanual compressions .. again no pain relief. I was so traumatised I booked for an elective section 2nd time ....BUT I went into labour the morning of the section, consultant encouraged me to labour in the pool for a bit until it was my turn for the section and we'd review the situation, he gave very clear instructions that noone touches me without my/his consent. 2 hours later baby was born in the water after a wonderful water birth. I was so scared of a repeat performance but once I surrendered to the process my 2nd was amazing compared x

HardbackWriter · 18/06/2022 17:01

My second was much better but they were both pretty good as labours go. Both spontaneous and unassisted, with waters breaking before any other sign of labour but then labour starting within a couple of hours. DS1 took 20 hours from contractions starting, two of which were pushing. DS2 took 4 hours from first contraction, only about an hour of which was painful rather than uncomfortable, and he was out in three pushes. Second degree tear that healed very well both times. Gas and air for both but DS2 was also a water birth, which seemed to help with the pain a lot.

Original poster
kylierose15 · 18/06/2022 17:07

Loulou1712 · 18/06/2022 16:56

I had a very similar first birth, 24 hours after waters broke I was 'only 4cm' so was put on the drip, back to back baby, failed epidural, suction cup to turn baby then episiotomy and forceps (with just gas and air) baby needed resuscitation and I had a large pph needing bimanual compressions .. again no pain relief. I was so traumatised I booked for an elective section 2nd time ....BUT I went into labour the morning of the section, consultant encouraged me to labour in the pool for a bit until it was my turn for the section and we'd review the situation, he gave very clear instructions that noone touches me without my/his consent. 2 hours later baby was born in the water after a wonderful water birth. I was so scared of a repeat performance but once I surrendered to the process my 2nd was amazing compared x

I would love a water birth.
I just can't handle the very long labour, being cut and having forceps again.
I know not every labour is the same but my anxiety is through the roof.
There 40% of me that just want a c section x

OP posts:
windowout · 18/06/2022 17:27

1st was 28hrs back to back labour, failed epidural, ventouse. 2nd around 4 hours from first twinge, only had a few puffs of gas and air. 2 very different experiences.

HotSauceCommittee · 18/06/2022 17:29

Yes! 24hrs for the first, 5 hours for the second. He didn't touch the sides and came out sleeping.

legaltigger · 18/06/2022 17:52

This thread has made me feel much better about my second! My first wasn't bad as in it wasn't lots of interventions, but it was an endurance test at 32 hours !

Kite22 · 18/06/2022 17:55

Statistically, yes, 2nd labours overwhelmingly are quicker than first.
However even the few replies on this thread has shown you that won't be the case for everyone, and none of us can know whether you will be in the majority or one of the exceptions.

Loulou1712 · 18/06/2022 18:00

kylierose15 · 18/06/2022 17:07

I would love a water birth.
I just can't handle the very long labour, being cut and having forceps again.
I know not every labour is the same but my anxiety is through the roof.
There 40% of me that just want a c section x

Show quote history

You've got to do what's right for YOU and YOUR baby, if it helps I'm pregnant with number 3 after swearing I'd never have any more after our first so the 'normal' delivery of baby 2 healed alot of the firsts trauma for me, but I needed to know the section was booked and I would never accept induction again.

lancsgirl85 · 18/06/2022 18:48

Mommabear20 · 18/06/2022 14:46

Second was much longer, and harder, bigger baby, and was back to back.

Same. First was 5lb 15oz, labour was around 6 hours at most. My second was 8lb 2oz as well as back to back; she got stuck which meant I needed an emergency forceps delivery and episiotomy in theatre. Labour was 14 hrs in total. 😭

bumpermom · 18/06/2022 18:56

Yes for me it was. 18 hours with 1st, 4 hours with 2nd and about 1 hour with 3rd. My 1st was hell but the other two were a lot easier.

Crackercrazy · 18/06/2022 18:58

No not for me, also back to back. My 3rd was quick and easy - still painful though!

Dyra · 18/06/2022 22:07

Unfortunately mine wasn't.

Both were induced labours. DD came out after 11.5 hours on the drip. DS on the other hand was an emergency C-section after I'd only progressed 3cm in ~15 hours on the drip. He was a naughty back to back baby, and had also bent his neck backwards so was impossible to birth vaginally. However, his labour was a lot more manageable. I was moving around, changing position, and tolerated the pain for longer than I did with DD.

WhatwouldRuthdo · 18/06/2022 22:12

Yes, for me second was much easier. DC1 was a 3 day labour, back to back, forceps delivery. DC2 was 8 hours from start to finish and a water birth. Night and day really!