Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

2nd labour - your experience appreciated!

17 replies

nervatious · 13/04/2011 13:15

Hi
Like lots of people I had an awful first labour, 36hrs +, transfer from birth unit to hospital while in full labour over a bumpy road for 30mins, baby delivered by forceps, final midwife not very nice lady....
So
How was your 2nd labour - people keep saying it will be easier, but should I believe them? They said I would have no trouble with the first (baby engaged early, childbearing hips etc) but this was not true.

Better, worse, the same? Thanks for your stories!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
Seeline · 13/04/2011 13:26

My first was pretty horrendous too with 29 hr labour, ventous delivery, DS in SCBU for a week and me needing a blood transfusion. The second was definitely better only 13hrs! DD was born with cord round her neck but thanks to a fantastic midwife all was fine. Looking back on it I think there were several factors which made it better

  • I wenti n with the attitude that things could not be as bad as the first time
  • much nicer/better/more experienced staff - especially having the same midwife throughout
  • expecting things to take much longer than they did. 13hrs was a breeze when I was expecting the 29hrs of the first time!
  • knowing alot more about what was going on and not being so terrified Grin
Good luck - I am sure things will be better this time!
Smallstuff · 13/04/2011 13:31

First labour was 20 hours with 2.5 hours of pushing. Second degree tear.
Second labour was four hours, literally 2 minutes of pushing and no stitches. Things that helped
I was expecting at least 10 hours as I had heard that second labours often take half the time
My two labours were close together so all was well oiled so to speak
I had second at home and was so much more relaxed
Knew what to expect (altho not how short it was)
BTW third one was a carbon copy of the second.
Hope that helps

Original poster
nervatious · 14/04/2011 11:00

Yes it does help, thanks for that - anyone had the opposite experience and had a much worse second labour?

OP posts:
icravecheese · 14/04/2011 12:36

1st labour was looooong, ended up forceps delivery with episotomy and 3rd degree tear. Was slightly nervous about 2nd labour as had never done the 'pushing baby out thing' (pushed for over 2 hours with first, nothing happened, hence forceps). 2nd labour couldnt have been more different....felt baby engage at 6pm, show at 7pm, contractions started 8pm, hospital 11pm, waters broke 2am, baby born 2.35am. Easy peasy!! Oh, but another 3rd deg tear :( BUT MUCH MUCH easier labour than first. Am wondering what my 3rd labour is going to bring!!! GOod luck - I might be wrong, but I think, in general, going by mine & all my friends experiences, 2nd time round is generally lots easier...

QueenofDreams · 14/04/2011 12:41

1st labour 12 hrs active labour getting him out pretty easy no interventions although he didn't breathe

2nd labour much quicker (4 hrs active) but much harder work and more painful. still no interventions but i was more exhausted after the birth and got an injured pelvis into the bargain. however, DC2 was 6 oz heavier at 9lb 14 and did try to come out in the 'wonderwoman position' (arm alongside head)

QueenofDreams · 14/04/2011 12:42

oh stiches first time, shallow 2nd degree tear that needed no stitches second time round

NightLark · 14/04/2011 12:49

1st time - 24 hours, epidural, ventouse, episiotomy.
2nd time - um, about 4 hours of active labour, home waterbirth, no interventions at all, pain relief by TENS and water.
2nd degree tear both times.

Am also wondering what my third labour will bring...

sheeplikessleep · 14/04/2011 12:57

1st time - 30 hours from waters breaking to delivery, had epidural, ventous and was in for a week as DS1 had infection / lost weight / jaundice.

2nd time - 7 hours from waters breaking to delivery. Used TENs and had pethidine too, but was only 40 mins from delivery at that point.

Totally, totally different. I remember, my MW said to me 'you can't predict how it will go (2nd labour), all you can guarantee is that it will be different to your first'.

Good luck!

systemsaddict · 14/04/2011 13:05

First time 31 hours induced, epidural, baby in distress and forceps delivery horrid. Second time 5 hours spontaneous, lovely, wonderfully healing second time, baby and me both completely chilled out afterwards.

Original poster
nervatious · 14/04/2011 17:14

Wow there's lots to say it will be shorter and maybe even better! Excellent news, now just have to decide whether to brave the birthing centre (30mins from hospital) or go straight to the hospital just in case. Ist was a very ambitious planned home birth but now i have gone all chicken so won't be planning that again...

OP posts:
Original poster
nervatious · 14/04/2011 17:14

It's a shame everyone got to say 'told you so' about the home birth though!

OP posts:
Twit · 14/04/2011 17:22

I've had quick and easy each time (here's hoping that trend continues), but yes, ds2 was alot quicker and easier than ds1. DD (number3) was more like ds1 and ds3 was more like ds2 (except that my waters went).
When are you due, is there a MW you like and trust enough to have a proper chat with about your options?

Original poster
nervatious · 14/04/2011 17:28

Am due in october, only 12 weeks at the mo but we did have to have an investigation type thing into the hospital being negligent with the last one - they admitted it but said it was the fault of a bank doctor who they couldn't trace and wasn't their responsibility. It wasn't medical negligence (apart from the bit where they delayed intervention cos this doctor was about to come off shift), more like a complaint at the awful communication after the transfer to hosp from birth unit. Anyway it was a bit traumatic though I know other have had worse stories...
I do have a lovely midwife but she is very pro the birth unit, however said the hospital might be a better option if i was worried. I am worried that the hospital environment might make me more worried though and lead to intervention - bit of a vicious circle...

OP posts:
Twit · 15/04/2011 12:22

Ok, so it's out there, and you have plenty of time to decide. Perhaps go with the Birth unit and change to hospital if you still feel worried at the time?
I'm doing home birth (am due in July) but have always said if, closer to the time, I feel differently I'd go in.
I don't think there's an easy answer that anyone can give you (I wish there was). Just wait and see might be your best bet for now.

Congratulations BTW!

CakeForBreakfast · 15/04/2011 12:55

First labour, 16 hours, 2.5 hours of pushing before my body had enough. Episiotomy, failed ventouse, delivered by forceps

Second Labour, I did things differently. Hired a doula, worth her weight in gold she was, really helped me. Ended up in the birthing pool of a MLU, had baby very straightforeward, after only 3 pushes.

Second time was much easier, even though it was 'harder work' because I had to push myself!

Original poster
nervatious · 15/04/2011 19:48

Thanks Twit, hope your home birth goes to plan! CakeForBreakfast - 3 pushes! wow hope that happens to me....

OP posts:
bigbadbarry · 15/04/2011 19:51

42 hours for my first - managed a lovely water birth but bloody hell it was a struggle. Second, 6 hours, homebirth :)

New posts on this thread. Refresh page