I know second births are quicker but would you say your second was a better experience

[Benjy]

If so, in what way? Was there any difference in pain between first and subsequent deliveries?

I had an awful time with DD who is only 5.5 months and have recently discovered I am pregnant again and will be doing it again 12 months after her birth.

From first contraction to birth was over 40 hours. Contractions started 5 mins apart within 12 hours were every 2ish mins lasting for 90 seconds. Became too exhausted and in too much pain to continue without relief and asked for an epidural, which was finally given to me 8 hours after I requested it. It was a low dose and did nothing for the pain in my back, which is where I felt the worse of the pain, or across the top of my uterus. But did mean I had to lie on my back, which was excrutiating. Machine also failed to work properly which midwives only discovered as I was in the second stage - had previously been telling me off for making too much fuss when all I was feeling was 'pressure'. Would like to think I can have a better experience second time.

I think no 2 might actually have een more intense pain wise. Was quicker by 2 hours so maybe more intense in that way. But was a t home so better in that way.

No 3 however - don't get me started, utter bliss!

First was good, painful delivery but totally 100% drug free.

Second was induced, horrendous labour but easier delivery.

I think it depends on whether you are induced or go into labour naturally.

I was induced both times (for different reasons)

1st: horrific. Hospital apparently did its own internal investigation as it was truly awful.

2nd: brilliant.

my first seemed like an epic saga with a tasty extended episiotomy at the end and was aiming for ventouse btu didnt need in end (start to end 19 hrs), 2nd one being ds who was much bigger - start to end 4 hrs and i was a bit when mw said he was ready to be born as i reckoned on another 10hrs of torture, nice 3rd degree tear but i had him inwater and it all seemed i was more in control knowing what was to come. Congrats by the way,

I also had mine at 2 diff hospitals - first one stitched with g and a and 2nd with epidural which was far more welcoming. Same shitey toast at both.

i had 2 c-sections and yes the second was better - i was more relaxed, knew what to expect, and recovered well

my second birth was awful from start to finish the first was textbook

First - horrible, medicated and left me totally traumatised.

Second - much better, no drugs and I felt fine afterwards. No baby blues in the following days either. Totally healed the way I felt about childbirth and I was able to move on.

i've just had my second baby. the labour was a bit longer and was almost a lot worse as they thought she might be in trouble and the forceps word was mentioned. was ok in the end though, i got the urge just in time and she was out in two pushes.

for my first birth i laboured alone standing up in a bathroom. it was a lot better!

fewer stitches this time though and i feel less traumatised, if that makes sense

Mine were about the same in terms of pain and time, the only difference is that the midwife with ds1 was wonderful and the OB/GYN with ds2 left a lot to be desired. It truly makes a difference what kind of person is on the other end of things.

First was induced 2 1/2 weeks after EDD, prostin was given at 9pm and ds1 was born at 4.45am the next day with just g+a. That made me like a drunken lush so I delivered on my back. Cord was round his neck so mw had to kind of dive in to untangle him and I ended up wth a vaginal tear and a quick trip to theatre to stitch that but all in all no complaints.

Second waters went on EDD at 3am, had a few niggles starting about lunchtime and ds2 was born at 5.05pm after arriving at the hospital at 5pm, just with TENS this time. Delivered him kneeling up leaning over the end of the bed and it was a doddle! Apart from one bit when he was crowning and I thought "I remember really not liking this bit last time round!" it was all fine

Second was much, much better. I would go so far to say it didn't really hurt that much, which was something I never, ever thought I would be able to say about childbirth following birth no 1. I had gas and air for about 40 mins and pushing stage lasted 5 mins. It was a home birth and the midwives were fastastic. I know I was very lucky. However, ds did then scream for 2 hours a night for the next year, so the balance of luck was redressed somewhat.

Much better- it was an emergency Caesarian

Following from cory, second was slower - it was an elective cs. First was an emergency cs.

So much better. 6 hour labour as opposed to 35.Just gas and air as opposed to gas and air,pethadine and epidural
No ventouse for baby second time around
Still tore and still had episiotimy ...but healed quickly