Anyone out there who had a rough 1st labour, ending in a c-sect then a really smooth 2nd labour?

[ellideb]

Stories wanted please to ease my fears!

Yes, my first was emergency C-section. I was 17 days overdue, reduced amniotic fluid, induced, had quick very painful labour, monitor said fetal distress (heartrate decreasing), epidural, fetal blood test, then em-cs.

My second DC was born naturally at home, 40 + 11 days, after several sessions of acupuncture. I kept very mobile, used a pool only for last bit of labour, but gave birth on land. Pushing stage was scary as I hadn't done it before, but all was fine. I was very lucky to have a fabulously sensitive and supportive midwife. It was a totally different experience.

If you want support from other women who've had VBACs and very wise professionals, join the email list at Yahoo groups, called UKVBACHBAC. They're lovely.

I can also recommend hypnobirthing (especially after a traumatic previous labour). It didn't eliminate the pain but it certainly helped me be less fearful and stay calm and positive. I got the CDs from www.natalhypnotherapy.com

Me too. First was emergency c-section and second was natural labour. Went into hospital as was in a lot of pain - really depressed as was only 2cm - then baby was born 3 hours later. Baby came out very serene and relaxed. It's not nice however the baby has to come out, but that was a pretty good experience. I had a few stitches, and epidural didn't work, but still not a bad experience at all. By 4 weeks had lost all extra baby weight and was back in my old clothes. Recovery was unbelievable. By 6 weeks all OK 'down there' and sex back to normal.

Fingers crossed your second will be a breeze. I only got to 3cm first time around.

Good luck !

I was induced at 39 + 1 with DS, spent all my labour immobile, in bed, on a monitor and drip and with diamorphine and hten an epidural.. i had a c section for failure to progress.. there;s a surprise!

i had a spontaneous labour with DD, stayed at home as long as possible, had lots of gas & air, stayed upright until i could not stand any more, had small dose of pethidine, DD born after 3 hours 15 m ins of established labour.. had quite a long latent phase as she was back to back. no intervention, no tearing and was home the next afternoon

DC1 and DC2 were straightforward. I was induced at 40+15 with DC3. Things went pear shaped and ended in an emergency section. With DC4 I nearly opted for an elective as I was scared of a repeat performance. I didn't in the end and had the most straightforward birth imaginable. Only just made it to hospital! If I did ever have DC5 I'd definitely consider a HB.

Thanks for the recommendations fimflammum, I too would be very scared of the pushing stage!

Yours sounds very similar to mine Lulumama though I wasn't induced. I had a very loooong latent phase, ended up having diamorphine (never vomited like that in my life) drugs to speed things up, 3 failed epidurals, 2 spinals, failure to progress, immobile, fetal monitor, ending in an emergency c-sect 3 days later. I'm just a little bit afraid of baby No2 now, even though its a few years away yet and I'm already worrying!

first time - not in labour, scan picked up a problem, emergency section.

second time - had a VBAC and retained placenta.

3rd time - VABC but baby in distress.

I am quitting having babies now!

I had 3 1/2 days of prelabour (contractions every 10 mins but no progress) a full day of active labour (including 3 1/2 hrs pushing), failed forceps/ vt and then an emergency section. Wasn't going to deliver 9 lb posterior baby no matter how much I tried as she was stuck.

DS was monitored as I had had the section- had some contractions and went in to hospital for check up after they stopped. He was born 3 hrs after arriving (at 3 cms) on his due date with no pain relief (too fast- not because I was so brave!!). I had a little tear and was home the next day (he arrived at 11pm). The contrast between the two births was amazing. 2nd labour was the most straightforward thing in the world and I was SOOooooo chuffed. (scary and sore though!!)

It was a great experience after a very traumatic 1st birth.

Good luck

A friend of mine had a dreadful first birth, labour lasted forever (48 hours in hospital until born) and all kinds of problems. She was quite traumatised.

Second time around, came quick and fast at home as no time to get to the hospital.