If you had an assisted birth the 1st time, how were your births after?

[beaniesunrise]

I had an assisted traumatic birth for my first time, laboured for 40 hours and got really tired at the end. Tried gas & air which made my head spin so much felt like I was going to fall off the table! Got a shot of morphine in my leg to get through the contractions whilst waiting for the anesthesiologist - apparently I have a very low pain tolerance. Got my epidural and glided to 10cm, but I got so tired and they needed to get the baby out fast since there was a high risk of infection, that I had to needed an episiotomy and forceps. 2 blood transfusions later, luckily baby was all ok, I eventually went home after 3 days.

Now I’m considering ttc second baby, but leaning towards elective c sec to not go through that again.. keen to know what’s everyone else’s experience? 🤗

I had an assisted birth for my first, baby was in distress so they tried a ventouse and ended up with forceps. I'd had pethidine which I hated! My second delivery was unassisted on just gas and air and was so calm in comparison to first time round!

I think second time it helped knowing how it could change and I felt I would be more in control even if it didn't go to plan

I didn't risk it happening again so had 2 elective c sections for my 2nd and 3rd. They were amazing!

I ended up with a sunny side baby to back baby first time round, lots of drugs for me and delivered by emergency forceps in theatre after 24 hours of active labour, quite a few internal and external stitches,

baby 2 born 2 years later, went into mild labour (ie a bit uncomfortable, managed with a hot water bottle) about 10am, quite uncomfortable by 12, started the infamous moo” noise at 3 and went to hospital as contractions were getting quicker, barely got into the assessment room (not delivery) before giving birth at 3:30 on all fours, no assistance or even gas and air. Maybe 2 or 3 big pushes. Had gas and air whilst they stitched me. It was a delightful birth as so quick, and wasn’t as painful as the first.

First baby I had episiotomy and ventouse. Second one came so fast she was born at home!!! Third birth was quick and no complications.

I'm not sure if this counts as an assisted birth as I didn't need ventouse/forceps but I pushed for 4.5 hrs with first baby, just needed an episiotomy. but my recovery was horrendous, multiple infections etc so I seriously considered going for an elective c sec for baby number 2. In the end I'm glad I didn't because he came very quickly, first degree tear and I felt right as rain after 2 weeks, which made a big change to feeling so unwell for months the first time.

DC1 was episiotomy and forceps in theatre. I didn’t want the same birth experience with my second, but unfortunately I ended up with the same again with DC2, despite me doing hypnobirthing and anything else possible to have a birth with no interventions. I am 100% going for an elective if and when I have my third. Good luck with whatever you choose x

First was a failed induction/ventouse/episiotomy etc - I'd had pethidine and failed epidural so was stuck flat on back and his forehead was wedged in my pelvis - was 10cm for 6 hours!

Second and third I only used gas and air on purpose so I could remain upright and they were quick and unassisted - despite DC3 being 2 whole pounds and 10cm longer than DC1.

I've since found out I am pretty tolerant of local anaesthesia (am hypermobile) so an epidural was never going to be a good choice - I hated it as was still in pain but couldn't move, all I wanted to do was get off my back and get moving.

I didn't quite need an assisted birth, although it was close and written on paperwork, had the episiotomy then pushed. But second birth was also vaginal and much quicker and easier. 4 Hours rather than 30. No episiotomy but small tears.

I had a difficult birth with DS1. Back to back, 2 day labour, failed ventouse, episiotomy and forceps. 2 years later I barely made it across the hospital car park with DS2.

Was also stuck on my back for my 1st after epidural as turning made the heart rate drop.

I had episiotomy and forceps in theatre with my first. She was induced and I was having contractions for 41 hours and was being sick for 34 of those. My epidural wore off so I had a spinal block in theatre. It was pretty horrendous! DD2 was also an induction but much more straightforward. I had an epidural again but it didn’t work properly so I could feel everything and move my legs. I actually felt a lot more in control and it was a much more positive experience.

My first was assisted (had obstetric cholestasis and was induced early) 3rd degree tear, lost a lot of blood and was anaemic for a few months afterwards due to this, it was awful.
2nd pregnancy I insisted on EC (as it's was highly likely I'd get the cholestasis again) they tried to change my mind on each hospital visit as well as changing the EC dates but I held firm and had dc2 by EC, it was so much better! Recovery time was way quicker too!

My first birth was a forceps delivery. It was pretty horrific. Had a massive haemorrhage immediately after and recovery was slow and painful. I also developed postnatal ptsd and it was quite a horrible time.

I thought about requesting a C-section for my second birth but I decided not to for a few reasons, mainly that ds1 was only 18 months and I’d prefer to not be recovering from an operation and trying to look after him and ds2.

Luckily the birth went really smoothly. Very quick and no complications. I also had a third baby and that too went very straightforwardly.

I needed an assisted delivery for DC1. Next DC were born naturally and unassisted.

I had to be induced with drip for my first birth, ended in forceps with a spinal, episiotomy and blood transfusions after as I lost so much blood.

Second birth was 14 months later and absolutely no problem at all, a breeze in comparison. I had to have a drip after just in case I bled again but it was just as a precaution.
Sometimes I'm tempted by a third but you can't guarantee which way the dice will roll and tbh that first birth trauma still sits with me at times.

Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences! I’m leaning towards a ELCS, will do more research and see how other people’s experience were with c secs whilst taking care of a toddler

DS1 was back to back, ventouse/episiotomy at the end of an excruciating 23 hour labour with two hours of crowning and pushing. No proper pain relief as by the time I asked for an epidural I’d finally got to 10cms and they didn’t realise he was OP.

DS2 was much more cooperative, faced the right way, got through it with a couple of paracetamol and lots of fruit gums 😊 2nd degree tear but no real issues with it.

First baby, induction, back to back baby, episiotomy and forceps...
second baby emergency c section after a world of pain for several hours. Baby was huge and got stuck! I should have gone for elective section!

First baby was induced due to being two weeks overdue. Back to back so I had an episiotomy and ventouse delivery.
Second baby was overdue but no induction. Had a water birth with gas and air. The birth was much easier despite baby being 2 and a half pounds heavier.

1st was induced at +12. Ended up with spinal and forceps in theatre ready for section if forceps didn't work. Wasn't a pleasant experience.

2nd just popped out, 40 mins after I arrived at hospital. 20 mins gas and air and she was here. So easy.

3rd was meant to be a home water birth but ambulance transfer at 10cm shoulder dystocia in hospital. Brutal, barbaric but essential procedures with no anesthesia at all but got him out in one piece, just. He was 3lbs heavier than 1 and 2!

3 totally different experiences

First birth traumatic and assisted, second birth an easy and planned home birth. For me it was about having an element of control and I felt I could get that at home. If you feel happiest with a planned caesarean birth then go for that, important that you make a choice rather than feel disempowered. I hope that it is a very happy birth day for you in whatever way is best for you.

With my DD I had a ventose - she was in considerable distress. Luckily no tears or anything and she was absolutely fine once she was out.

Just had DS last year and his birth was wonderful. Completely physiological water birth, just gas and air for pain relief (and the water). Amazing.

Forceps with the first, easy home births for the rest. Last required transfer to hospital by ambulance.

Episiotomy and ventouse with my first.

Very fast, uncomplicated home birth with my second. Pushed for 13 minutes.

I'm also a midwife and can say that assisted births are incredibly rare with second babies. I've seen about 3 in my career. The first baby paves the way and the second usually more or less falls out! Second labours are my favourites, they are usually a dream.

First baby - induction/ventouse/episiotomy, baby heart rate kept dropping, loss of blood then long slow recovery
(more than 6 weeks of pain)

second baby - premature and no interventions very little pain in recovery

it honestly felt like my body remembered and had learnt what to do second time! It was incredibly healing as after my first- before I could face ttc I had to go through with a midwife from the hospital what had happened as found it very traumatic and I was getting upset seeing pregnant women because I was scared for them to go through what I had!