delivering a 2nd baby....

[vmcd28]

Hi there,
Just a question about any of you who have had 2 kids...
My first labour was not too long, around 13/14 hours after being induced. However, I needed an episiotomy, after my DS needed hauled out urgently.
When he was about 5 days old, the stitches burst open (sorry, TMI) so the wound healed itself. Although this was actually not painful at all, it had a horrible effect on me mentally, and it took me a long time to get over it all.

Anyway, what I'm wondering is, is the 2nd birth quicker/easier? Also does it follow that I will tear/need an episiotomy again because there is a lot of scar tissue...?

Many thanks again!

Hi there vmcd28, poor you sounds like you had a horrible time

I am one of those freaks that found first labour fine and second labour much harder. However, the vast majority of mums I know had a much easier time with second and subsequent deliveries.

My sister-in-law had an episiotomy with her first, a boy, and then went on to have two daughters quickly and easily, without even the slightest tear. My eldest is a girl and was lighter and had much smaller head than my DS who has always been a whopper, in the 98th centile since birth (now 11 months).

Second labours are generally faster though, and I found out too late that there are things that can be done to reduce the risk of tearing. Panting like a dog (no, really!) in the second stage of labour apparently helps the head to emerge more slowly, and also you can ask the midwife to apply gentle pressure to the perineum with a warm facecloth as the head is crowning.

Best of luck with it, I know it is nervewracking to think about, but generally speaking, you are likely to have an easier time of it second time round

aw, thanks for that lovely message. I am hoping since everything has been "stretched" it will be easier this time. I just didnt cope well with it all mentally, which is a bit pathetic, really.

I was like you - huge episiotomy with the first (7.5 lbs).

My second was nearly 9 pounds and no tearing . I would recommend spending time in the pool - really helps soften things up.

ooh, encouraging post, thanks! I might do that then - I hadnt thought about using the birthing pool, but obv hadnt realised it could be of benefit...

DC1 (7lb 3) approx 16hr labour, 2nd degree tear.

DC2 (8lb 2) approx 5hr labour, no tear, pushing stage only 2mins!

Labour pains were like period pain for DC2 where as for DC1 the pains were in my back and radiating into the bump. Stayed at home as long as I could bear for DC2 and got to the hospital at 9cm!

My 2nd labour was great - recognised all stages of labour, knew exactly what was going on, felt totally in control, pushed DC2 out so easy!

I hope you have a great 2nd labour too.

Sonsmum that's really encouraging! I'm feeling much more confident this time around that I'll have more of a handle on what's going on at any given stage. Just wish I could have Entonox at home - make life a lot easier!

My first labour was exactly like yours, and I also had a burst episiotomy which took several weeks to heal.

I told the midwives about my problems with my first birth, and my fear of tearing or being cut again, and they were great. I delivered my second baby in four hours, with a second degree tear that I hardly felt, and my healing was completely trouble free. Good luck!

hello!
you could always try perianal massage,
you can use good quality olive oil, i use a massage bar from 'lush' called therepy bar (also ace for strrreeecchhh marks!
ive been doing it from quite early on this time but 1st labour i started at 34 weeks and i didnt tear (i also did the panting thing and asked the midwife to apply pressure)
you can do it during labour too, at the pushing stage have someone spray the oil on you...helps if it lubricated!!

good luck!