Are second labours faster even if you had a CS the first time round?

[notanumber]

Errrr...yes, what it says in the thread title basically.

Had an EMCS with DC1 (no progress - only got to about 8cm I think) and now I am pregnant again I am pondering this common belief about it being much faster second time around.

Surely second labours are quicker because your body has done it before and is already stretched?

And because I haven't stretched, not really, surely labour will be like it's the first time (i.e. a complete fucking horrorshow)?

But maybe I'm wrong? I hope so. Any experiences one way or t'other?

sorry, no experience, but this is a question i wanted to ask too!! In fact, i did ask the consultant i saw yesterday, and she REALLY put my mind at rest with 'well, no, in many ways it'll be like a first time labour' (mind i only got to 3cm, so you've got a whole 5cm on me!!)

having said that, they have also said that 'bale out' will be a lot earlier because of the previous section, so won't face the same lengthy pain thing if no/slow progress... and no induction if go overdue cos the synto/pessaries etc make the contractions stronger, increasing the risk of rupture (she said increases risk from 1/200 to 2/200)

dunno if any of that helps... i'd still like to hear from people that have actually been there, and done that!

Sorry too, no experience either but in the same position. My MW said that because I went to 6 cm, my body is not like a first timers. They are considering failure to progress at 1 cm then CS, then your body hasn't done anywork and you are doing it over like a first time, otherwise if you have progressed a bit you have already done it (even partially). You were nearly there! She also said that it depends what is the reason for the CS, if labor stopped completly, you were induced, strange shaped pelvis, or slow labor with out baby being OP... you are more likely to have an other CS, if baby breech, OP or in distress there is little chance of it happening again. (well same as every body elses)
Stoofadoof sorry I am not sure if 3 cm is far enough for the first part to apply but the rest is.