Was your 2nd babies bigger than 1st?

[DetectivePotato]

DS was 8lbs 11oz and 10 days early.

I was told at one point I would have growth scans this time but that seems to have been forgotten about. I also had a forceps and 3rd degree tear with DS.

I want a natural birth this time, I am allowed as I healed well, although if I want a c section I can.

Are 2nd babies always bigger than 1st?

DD1 - 7lb 4oz - 39+5
DD2 - 6lb 11oz - 39

Mine was but 3rd dc was bigger

dd1 7lb 15 at 40+9
dd2 9lb at 40+17 (midwife forgot to book me in for induction)
ds1 9lb 12 at 40+11
dd3 7lb 11 at 38weeks
ds2 8lb 14 at 39weeks
dd4 7 lb 11 at 39 weeks

dd1 - 12 days overdue - 9lb 1oz
dd2 - 9 days overdue - 9lb 3.5oz

dd1 - 7lb9oz at 36+6
dd2 - 7lb2oz at 37+4

Both the same but 2nd one much easier!!

yes, 1st baby was 8lb 15 (5 days late), 2nd was 9lb 1 (3 days late).

The midwife told me they usually get Second time round no one mentioned the growth scan and i was getting a bit twitchy wondering if i would have a giant baby, so i asked for the scan and they happily did it- v reassuring.

Algebra ouch to the nearly 12lbder!!!

I do want a natural birth this time. I really don't want a c section and I just have this 'feeling' that everything will be ok.

This whole pregnancy has gone on feelings and I haven't beenn wrong yet. I knew I was going to conceive before we had sex, I knew I was pregnant and I knew it was a girl (scan says it is) so I'm feeling good about my instincts on this one.

Its also good to hear that people have found the second births easier too. Thanks everyone.

DS1 9lbs 1oz 40w + 8days
DS2 9lbs 6oz 40w + 12days
DS3 8lbs 8oz 40w + 10 days

Labours were 3hrs, 2hrs and 45 minutes, never tore, no pain relief.

My friend recently had her second baby, first one was about 6lbs 8oz, born 3 days overdue, really long and hard labour, second was 8lbs and 0.5oz, 3hr labour and she didn't even have to push, he just came out on his own! He was also 3 days overdue. From what most people say, bigger babies are easier to birth (assuming they aren't so big they get stuck!)... Oh, and growth scans are notoriously inaccurate.

yep it was a real shock when they weighed him, I was convinced they'd got it wrong. he did end up with jaundice and low blood sugar though (there's a possibility I developed GD in the last few weeks, will never know!) apparently big babies tend to come out faster too - the extra weight carries them along!

I think as you tore the first time it is really important you prepare. two words for you: perineal massage! :)

DS was 6lb 1oz at 38+3
DD was 7lb 11oz at 40+4

DD's birth much easier and an all round more pleasant experience :)

There was a huge difference in mine

DT's were 12 weeks early and weighed 2lb 4oz and 2lb 14oz respectively.

DD was a huge 10lb 2oz - Not massive massive, but bloody hell it was a shock.

DS3 was 9lb 15 and a half...

1st baby 5lb 6oz by c section
2nd baby 8lb 7oz forcepts, definately had the babies the wrong way round!

DD1 - 8lb 15oz, 41wks
DD2 - 7lb 11 1/2 oz, 39+4
DS - 7lb, 38wks

DS was scanned at 36 weeks and I was told he was 7.5lbs then

My 2nd baby was much bigger, but like some others have said, I found it a much easier birth overall (altho got a 4th degree tear as midwife had me deliver on a birthing stool )

DD was 8lb 1oz at 8 days overdue
DS was 11lbs 3oz at 5 days overdue

I gained 4&half stone with DS and was already a stone heavier to start with so was quite relieved he was so big to excuse me from being called a complete piggy!!

I was told by my GP that if you tore in a previous labour that your skin is less likely to tear the next time. Was she telling me porkies?

DD1 - 8lb 9oz - 40 + 6
DD2 - 8lb 13oz - 40 + 6
DD3 - 9lb 11oz - 40 + 4

So yes mine all got progressively bigger

Yes, chucklecheeks - With dd i had a 3rd degree tear and with ds3 i had a 2nd degree tear.

Chucklecheeks, I had episiotomy and 3rd degree tear with 1st, small epis with 2nd (10 stitches), didn't tear with the next 7.

Unlike you, I was told that you were more likely to tear once you had torn as there is no 'give' in the scar tissue.

I have just been told that you are no more or less likely to tear than anyone who has before.

FFS, 3 people (3 health professionals I assume that told us these things), 3 different stories. I don't know what to believe now.

Algebra I know perineal massage would be a good thing but I have looked up on how to do it and I have no chance. I don't really like touching there.

DD1 - 9lb7oz. Ouch lots of stitches, veerrryyy slow labour.
DS - 7lb13oz. Supposed to be a water birth, but he was out before it was a 1/4 full! No stitches
DD2 - 6lb8oz. She was induced at 37 weeks, but still a quick birth. No stitches.

I understood that second babies are generally bigger BUT on average HALF the number of contractions :-) That was true for mine. Third baby is half as many contractions again so giving birth on the kitchen floor is much more common.

No, DD was a pound and a half lighter than DS (same length and head circumference, though).

DD1 7lbs 5oxs
DS 9 lbs 4 ozs
DD2 8lbs 9ozs
DD3 8lbs 15 ozs
DD4 9 lbs 1oz

Biggest difference was between DCs 1 and 2 and the rest were closer together in weight.

I had episiotomies for all but the last and needed stitching every time. My doctor and midwife were really interested in a very controlled final exit for the baby. For the last, I had perineal massage and I think it helped a lot.

I didn't even ask how many stitches I had, and I don't know why anyone would need to know this information -- I do find that the number of stitches you end up with is a very popular topic of conversation in Ireland and by the looks of MN the UK too; in the US not so at all.

My second was quite a bit smaller - DS was 9lb 4 and got stuck (due to position as well as size though) ending in EMCS, but DD was only 8lbs 10 and VBAC!

I don't know how many stitches I has (I was in theatre for nearly an hour altogether, I don't want to know) I don't know anyone else who knows either. Its not something they really tell you.

Is there a 'nice' way to do perineal massage?