Second time round. . .

[Murmum]

It's been 3 years since I had my first child and I'm now coming to the end of my 3rd trimester of my second pregnancy.

Lately I've found myself becoming so anxious with the thought of childbirth.

My first labour was long, my waters broke naturally at home but they still had to induce me (30hrs later) - 3 attempts later (1 pessary, 2 IV's) - forceps delivery - very close to an emergency section.

While I was only 1cm (a full 24hrs after my waters broke) the pain I was experiencing was awful, so much so it would shoot me out of the bed to vomit into the nearest available outlet!
Why at 1cm was pain so intense (I normally have a fairly tolerant pain threshold)

I also vomited like a demon and was sent home weak and crying at 2cm.

Happy to say my second birth was much better. About a third of the length, and when I went into hospital about 6h in I was 7cm. Good luck!

My first labour was horrific. 24 hours long and had an epidural that went wrong. I didn't handle the pain well at all.

Gave birth 3 months ago with my second at home in a birthing pool and it was the most incredible experience! Still painful of course but I used hypnobirthing techniques and the pain was manageable.

First labour induction. Quick 16 hours start to delivery. 4th degree tear tore into uterus pph emergency surgery and a stint ICU and shit aftercare thanks to Covid.

Second time planned section on both my thoughts and the consultant. Absolute dream. Really straight forward excellent care and excellent recovery

I think cause mine was Covid too I don't know what to expect this time round, husband wasn't allowed in until they took me to the delivery room and was sent home 1hr after baby arrived.

43hrs in total from waters breaking till baby arrived - had an epidural but felt everything in labour towards the end- even felt the stitches from my episiotomy.

@Murmum same with me. He was allowed for an hour after of which I was in surgery. They didn't even allow him to ICU with me. He had just seen his wife nearly die in childbirth as well as the chaos of childbirth and then sent him packing. Like he was already In the hospital why the hell he couldn't come to the ICU I'll never know. Properly shit

From my experience of second baby (sept 22) it's a whole different ball game and much nicer all round (well parenting two if fucking mental) but let's not go there!

My god, your first birth was identical to mine! Water broke, vomiting because of the pain so hooked up with a drip and forceps delivery when I was delirious with tiredness!

Second birth I was induced a bit early, but had an early epidural and had the most lovely (pain free) birth with no assistance. I felt so energised and present. I can remember every second.

Having the epidural shortly after the induction drip helped hugely. Really helped me preserve my energy for the pushing at the end. I even had a nap!

Second births can be better. Advocate for yourself and be firm about what you want is my advice.

Best of luck!

Thanks for sharing the stories folks, always helps to hear others, and what we have at the end makes it all so worth while!
I'm pushing for all the drugs this time, I think we're always made feel shamed for having an epidural! Hopefully with no Covid restrictions too even just the support of hubby being allowed in will help.

I was also sick with the pain with my first! Had to wait 3 hours for epidural it was horrendous. Forcep delivery also.

I gave birth 4 month ago (5years later) and I asked for epidural straight away, I felt nothing not one ounce of pain and had a lovely labour and birth.
An amazing experience compared to the first.

They sent me off home 5 hours later.

My first labour wasn't as bad as yours, but I didn't have waters breaking and no contractions then one IV drip 24 hours later and gave birth after 30. My second birth was so much better though. I didn't have a clue how dilated I was except 3cm and the first check for birth births so maybe that's not helpful. Pain in labour is caused by lots of different things, not just dilating. My second birth was 4/5 hours, pain was almost allin my back, and yes enough pain to vomit (although that may have been the gas and air) but only as i was pushing.

I think we're always made feel shamed for having an epidural!

There's no shame in having drugs for pain, whether it's pain from Childbirth or anything else and nobody is waiting to hand out a big shiny medal for not taking the drugs.

Take them and brief DH on being there to speak up if he things you've had enough and need a section

❤️

@Murmum My 2nd labour was easy. 2 and a half hours, and she was here. I had chronic backache.

That was it. It was a good job. I was on the pre natal ward as I didn't know. I had a show. I saw the nurse. She came and examined me and told me I was in labour

Those I know have all said the same about their second being mych easier and very quick. Now my 3rd. My God, he was the worst