Is a second time induction any easier?

[fadingfast]

Hi. I was induced with ds1 three weeks early due to medical complications. It took a lot of interventions to get things going and I ended up opting for an epidural. He was eventually born with the aid of a ventouse and at the time I was just very relieved I didn't end up with a section.

It seems we are going to need another early induction this time around and I'm just wondering if anyone has any experience of second time inductions and whether they are any easier? I was hoping to avoid an epidural this time but not sure if I'll cope if things follow the same course as last time.

Thanks

I had an oxytocin drip to speed up my labour, without an epidural (first labour). I am sure that there are other MNers whose experiences would contradict mine, but I found the pain so bad that if I ever needed to be induced again I would demand an epidural from the outset. But that is just me.

I have no idea about inductions getting easier with subsequent pregnancies, but I personally would not recommend induced labour without serious pain relief. The pain of the labour wiped me out for days if not weeks. It was so exhausting to be in THAT much pain for 8 hours (the time I was on the drip - my labour was about 16 hours long - hence being put on the drip).

I am sorry if this is not what you want to hear, and maybe others will found it to be easier to cope with an induced labour without drugs...

Best wishes, whatever happens!

My first induction took a while to get going, despite ds1 being over a week late. I think I tried every type of rain relief there was before finally opting for an epidural. I was in established labour for 40hrs and narrowly missed having an emergency c/s.

The second time was an absolute breeze in comparison, but I did opt for an epidural. Everything was straightforward and ds2 (who was then 2wks early) arrived after just a few hours.

With dd3 I didn't have an epidural but only because the useless MW refused to let me have one. To cut a long story short she insisted I was only having mild twinges and so kept cranking up the syntocin drip. It also didn't help that dd was in a back-to-back position. It was nice to be able to get around fairly soon after the birth rather than waiting for an epidural to wear off but tbh I'm not sure I could do it again. If I had a well-managed birth with a MW who listened I might consider it but generally I would say not.

Hi fading hope my story may help here. With ds my first, i was induced after going over and i endured 28 hours of labour with two lot's of gel, oxytocin and he arrived with forceps and lot's of g&a! Had an episiotmy and lot's of stitches.
DD1 my second came naturally and it was wonderful in comparison 12 hours altogether but gradual increase of contractions so i did it all on my own with no pain relief and only 1 stitch.
So when i went 14 days over 11 weeks ago with dd2 i was dreading a second induction. I went in had my first lot of gel and it was exactly the same as dd2's labour except quicker 7 hours but no intervention, all natural and no stitches.
So yes it can be a very different experience. I hope it goes well for you.