Is it trus that second births are generally easier than first? I am due in 2 weeks, and nervous!

[twounder2]

Please be honest!

Second and third were much easier as you do know a bit of what to expect. ALthough after pains were a killer just like labour all over again.

my second was horrible, overdue and induced, from start to finish 2 hours. put me off having another anyway. x

Twounder, I am dreading the second time around which is now imminent! Baby is in the posterior position, too so am spending a lot of time on all fours at the moment although I suspect it may be too late! We've met on one of the local boards, haven't we - cat me if you fancy a local meet-up at Kidzone one day!

My second one was a million times easier! Giving birth to DD1 was traumatic - she was born after a 3.5 hour second stage with forceps (ventouse failed). 13 months later, I was terrified for DD2's birth but I couldn't believe how easy it was.

My second birth was miiiiiiles easier. In fact (dare I say it) I kind of enjoyed it .

DC1 (8lb 9oz):
36 hour labour
epidural
augmentation to speed it along
unbelievable agony
45 min pushing
episiotiomy which was v painful as it healed

DC2 (10lb 9oz):
approx 7 hours of v manageable contrax followed by 1-2 hours of intense but bearable contractions
only had gas and air
pushing stage only lasted a couple of mins
only in hospital for less than 2 hours before the birth
2nd degree tear, which was much less painful then episiotomy

Lots of good luck to you

oops - much less painful than episiotomy

There are exceptions, but generally yes, second time round is quicker and easier - after all, your body has done it before.

My first birth was pretty traumatic (epidural, ventouse, very long) and I was dreading 2nd one (now 3 weeks old ). This time it was much faster and intense but despite progressing quickly I ended up with c section as he was OP and too big to come out naturally (only found out after 90 mins of pushing though )Had he not been OP and so big I would have had a much more positive experience second time

And so far I haven't had any afterpains so it's not a given that they will appear!

I have to say honestly..all births are different and not always the case that second or following babies will be easier. In my experience though..i have had 4, each one got easier and i was able to manage with just a little gas n air. I had my 4th at home and it was a wonderful experience..i wish i had done it with all..my labours have gotten shorter..just 2.5hrs with my last..my 1st only 8.5hrs!! All i will say is that my after pains got worse with each 1, and whilst breastfeeding was quite painful!! As i say we are all different..i would make sure u have some paracetamol in the cupboard just in case..but i am sure it will all be fine, take it easy and the best of luck to you!

In my case no second was so much harder.

1st Silent labour, first sign of anything i started bleeding quite badly got to hospital already 8cm dilated.

Only contractions to push dd1 out. 1 week early 9lb 4oz.

DD2 had to be induced at 41+1 had drip very intense birth 9lb 2oz. SHe was also a breech baby was turned at 38 wks and when she was born she had the cord around her neck and was a blue baby (had a full crash team in within sec's)

Only had gas and air with both and no tears.

First baby, 42 hours from waters going(Wednesday) to delivery(Friday), very nearly a crash c-section, exhausted in every way etcetc epidural for 16 hours of the labour, drips, monitors, ring of faces between my legs, blue baby blah

second baby, niggley aching all day on Monday, pains cranked up by half past ten, at 11.30 full labour was established, and ds2 was born at 3.30am on Tuesday morning, with the help of gas and air and one calm midwife.

sorry - 2nd labour much worse
dc1 - contractions started had her 6 hours later after 40 mins of pushing
dc2- waters broke 24 hours later of v strong contractions and failure to progress (stayed at 6cm) given hormone to speed things up, baby laying op and got stuck, too late for pain relief, pain of him being twisted and pulled out of me was totally horrendous midwives didnt seem to care this time round either. 2nd was sooooo much worse. sorry xxx

All my births were pretty easy. But I'd say the second was easier than the first. With my first, I had a fair bit of swelling (no tearing though), which was quite painful for a few days. I had none of that with DS2.

Lots of people do find afterpains much worse after the second one and worse still after the third. I had them really badly first time round (unusual) and second time whilst still quite bad they only lasted for 24 hours or so. I think it seems that the quicker the labour the worse the after pains in general. Almost as though we all have to suffer for a certain time, some will do it all before, some will do a load of it afterwards A wheatbag saved the day for me both times round.

My 2nd birth was "if Carlsberg did labour..."

Waters broke at 6.30pm - while putting DD1 to bed.

First contraction at 9.50pm

MW arrived at 11.15pm

Baby born at home at 11.45 pm

No drugs, no tearing and in my own bed by 2am!

OOO Bodkin - can i have one of those pleeease?
x

Sorry to hijack the post. What's the experience of second birts of those who had emergency caesarians on the first? I read one post which was encouraging but would be very interested to hear others.

I had a horrendous first birth, contractions for 48 hours then emergency caesarian. I am six months pregnant with my second and very scared. The hospital have helpfully lost my notes so can't say for sure what went wrong but they think he was back to back and couldn't fit through. I can't decide whether to book in for elective c/section or see what happens. I think I will be traumatised for life if I need another emergency c/section!

My second was a case of my body saying 'Hey,I've done this once already so lets just get on with it.' Waters broke midday, had my first noticeable contraction at 18:15 and knew at once I wasn't making it to hospital...to cut a short story even shorter the paramedic recorded the delivery time as 18:42! I kid you not, I had him in about 8 contractions! No pain relief since para strolled in as baby popped out but it was so quick can't say it was a problem. No stitches either.

Angela - do a search on here for threads about vbac (vaginal birth after cs) - quite a few mners have managed to have successful vbacs (me included ).

Yes, my 2nd and 3rd just popped out.

Grandad was quite concerned about me giving birth in the car both times!

Yes my 4th just popped out..midwife was little shocked..no time to get gloves on she just flew out really!! No stopping 1 push and she was out!!

My second was definately easier. I found labour quicker and the pain more manageable. I also had my second child at home which made the first few days after the baby was born much nicer than being in hospital.

thanks for the post Franke, I will look under VBAC, good to know that it can be done! x

Just found this fabulous thread!!! I'm expecting no 2 at beg May, and have been convincing myself that it will be easier the second time around (not that my first time was even that bad tbh!!). I read all the first two pages and I think EVERYONE said yes, it's easier second time....you don't get much better stats than that!!!

Thank-you all for your reassuring words.