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Childbirth

How long was your second stage in first and subsequent labours?

48 replies

alittleteapot · 08/07/2009 13:38

My first was three hours and ended with ventouse delivery. All fine but bladder a bit f**d.

Bladder doc says mustn't push for more than an hour this time and to make sure head's really far down first.

I know second labours are generally faster but wondered about second stage specifically.

OP posts:

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ByThePowerOfGreyskull · 09/07/2009 10:39

27 mins for DS1 finally after a 36 hour labour.
very short with DS2 but don't know exactly, went from 5cm to him being out in an hour.

both at home inbirthing pools

becaroo · 09/07/2009 13:13

oh showofhands...how traumatic for you You are NOT rubbish at giving birth...you are being too hard on yourself...

Never thought I would have another...

I had a 2nd degree tear each time (2nd much worse than the first) and the horrid midwife who came out to do my postnatal check (36 hours after giving birth) said "oh, not very controlled at pushing then, were you?" FFS!!

ShowOfHands · 09/07/2009 13:26

I would have been even less controlled in my postnatal decorum and punched her on the nose.

Thank you for being kind. And well done for doing it again. I desperately want more but couldn't go through it.

becaroo · 09/07/2009 13:35

If I hadnt been bf ds2 at the time I think I would have!!! Cheeky old bag!!!

Please feel free to tell me to mind my own business, but have you talked to anyone about your birth trauma? You may have PTSD, and you can get counselling for that. It would be a huge shame if your (very undestandable) fears stopped you having more dc if that is what you want.

I want more children, but my poor old body would give up completely on me if I got preganant again (long story!) and dh would be on the first flight to Rio

neolara · 09/07/2009 13:43

First dc - 1 1/2 hours
Second dc - 7 mins.

Hoping third will be as quick as number 2.

bobblehat · 09/07/2009 13:43

With ds 1 was induced and pushed for about 30 mins before the ventouse thingy was produced.

With ds 2 everything happened very quickly, 3 pushes (prob about a minute) and he was out.

alittleteapot · 09/07/2009 14:56

Thanks for posts everyone. Sorry some of you have had such traumatic experiences. But so many reassuring stories of how much easier things are second time round.

Frogmella hope I'm like you. Needed indwelling catheter for 6 weeks last time!

By the way, did anyone ever bother with perineal massage either time?

OP posts:

CarGirl · 09/07/2009 15:01

never bothered with massages! Did take arnica capsules with the last 2 and I think it made ahuge difference. I had the advantage of being induced so could start taking them the day before birth IYSWIM - I wasn't swollen or bruised like I'd been with the 1st 2.

StarlightMcKenzie · 09/07/2009 15:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

bohemianbint · 09/07/2009 15:20

About an hour the first time. 20 mins the second time and DS2 was bigger than DS1 as well so much easier the second time!

ShowOfHands · 09/07/2009 16:17

becaroo, I do have PTSD according to the hv- flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety etc. I wouldn't have the first clue what to do about it. I don't think it can be fixed.

littlelamb · 09/07/2009 16:21

With dd my overall labour was 13 hours and I had to push for 2 hours and only narrowly avoided an instrumental delivery. She was back to back, and I'd had an epidural and was lying down. SHe didn't turn in labour.
With ds I pushed for 8 minutes. He was back to back too, but I was upright and active and he turned with no problem Overall labour was 3.5 hours, and an absolute breeze. I would say to try to be upright in labour, and when you're pushing too. I was in a supported squat when he was born and it was such a better experience than dd's birth.

Loopymumsy · 09/07/2009 16:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Tamlin · 09/07/2009 17:33

Four hours, I think (well, that's the time between full dilation and the ventouse finally getting him out). I never got the fabled urge to push I'd read so much about it - it just hurt and hurt and then my contractions just slowly died, leaving him trapped low in my pelvis. Bloody frightening, none of the books said that could happen - I've read that sometimes, your body rests for a bit after the first stage, but not for hours!

Am reassured to read that things might go faster next time.

Milliways · 09/07/2009 17:34

DD took all day (but was induced and I was knackered)

DS - ONE push, and out came his head

becaroo · 09/07/2009 18:09

Completely agree with what loopymumsy said....you absolutely do not have to suffer in silence showofhands.....there is so much that could be done...maybe even a planned c section if that is what would put your mind at rest re: 2nd stage??? (I know of one or two women who had planned cs 2nd time around due to previous birth trauma)

Its not about you being "fixed" its about you being able to move on with your life...really hope you get some help and support with this xxxxx

mumofeve · 09/07/2009 18:22

Was pushing for 2.5 hours with DD in the birthing pool (waters broke 4 hours before). They nearly made me get out of the pool as they said it was going on too long for a water birth. Turned out cord was around DD's neck.
With DS (2nd child) was having medium strength contractions, then they got worse all of a sudden, we jumped in the car, I spent 15 min car journey very much trying NOT to push, and had DS 10 mins after getting to birthing unit!

lou031205 · 09/07/2009 18:51

DD1 - 45 Mins
DD2 - 5 mins
DD3 - not too sure. No more than 15 mins.

Reesie · 09/07/2009 20:17

You tend to find that the second stage in mums who have had a previous baby is generally quite quick. I don't think I have delivered a mum who has had a previous spontaneous vaginal delivery - with the second stage being longer than an hour. I know it can happen but quite unlikely.

For me dd1 - 7 mins
dd2 - 30 seconds - ouch

twoplusone · 10/07/2009 12:31

DD- csection
DS1- 3-10cm in 20mins and 3 pushes (back to back) grazed only
DS2 3-10cm in 10mins and 2 pushes (back to back) grazed only
DC4- TBC

twoplusone · 10/07/2009 12:36

Both times the mw didnt get chance to guide the heads as the babies delivered in one push literally landing on the bed inbetween the mw arms..as she waited to guide the head!!

orangehead · 10/07/2009 12:45

Ds1 - pushed for just over 2 and half hours. Failed ventose and ended up having em cs with ga.
ds2 - pushed for 3 and half hours, he was delievered with forceps which butchered me and damaged my bladder.
Next time I am going for a planned c section

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BottySpottom · 10/07/2009 16:57

DC1 - couple of hours - he was back to back
DC2 - 9 mins
DC3 - 7 mins!

I am lucky enough to have quite small babies though (heaviest was 7 lbs 3oz)

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