Second child birth stories after a 'good' first birth

[fr4zzledmum]

I'm currently nearly 14 weeks and keep remembering that ultimately, I'm going to have to give birth again 😂 I had a good experience first time round, contractions started 9am Saturday, in hospital by 11pm Sunday at 5cm dilated and gave birth at 3am on the Monday morning. I has gas and air and was lucky to not tear, apart from a slight labial graze. Baby was 7lb 10oz (although I expect this baby will be larger as I'm a much higher BMI).

If you experienced something similar first time round, how did your second labour go?

I was induced with DD1, which I didn’t want, but still had a decent birth. 6 hours of labour after they broke my waters, gas & air plus remifentanyl (didn’t really like either). I did need stitches but it was ok.

DD2 I was waiting to be induced the next day when I went into labour, was about 2 hours from asking midwife for a painkiller to DD being born! Gas & air only, no stitches.

Good luck!

My first was very similar to yours although slightly more prolonged, but ultimately ended up with a vaginal delivery with gas and air, no intervention or tear- just labial lacerations (although they bloody hurt!) She was born at 40+5 after labour started 40+2.

My second was born at 41+2, contractions started at 7am, got to hospital at 9.20am and she was born at 9.37am! Just a few puffs of gas and air and totally involuntary pushing. No tear or issues whatsoever. Hopefully all will be the same for you too, good luck!

Very similar to my first (a bit too quick!). I did tear and need stitches second time around, but that was infinitely better than the labial ""graze"" with my first <shudder> and I recovered quicker. Good luck op x

I had a straightforward birth with my oldest - 12 hours from first signs to birth, just gas and air, did need an episiotomy but that was fine. My second came in 2 hours flat! From first contraction to birth. No time to get to the hospital but luckily we have a midwife unit down the road. It was straightforward and quick!

There's a great podcast episode on second babies with Natalie Meddings! I think it's the Birth Ed podcast. So worth a listen.

My first birth was good and my second birth was amazing! And a quarter of the time.

My midwife told me that second labours are sometimes 1/3 of the length of first labours and for me that was the case - 4 hour first twinge to birth first time, only just over 1 hour second time. Maybe plan for a home birth with your timings!

Also second baby was 1lb bigger, so don't expect that to make a huge amount of difference.

My second was quite a bit harder and more painful. I shouldn't have turned down pain relief! Thought it would be like first. Ended up on a birthing stool which was effective but undignified ha. Tearing and stitches. Sorry!! I think just approach it afresh.

I was in labour almost 18 hours with first Second dd waters broke at home went to hospital they sent me home as no contractions got home and went straight back they said I had to go home as hadn't been away 4 hours and dd was born 8 mins later