Easier/shorter birth second time around when...

[aimskidooo]

..there's a large age gap between children. Does this 'rule' still hold true or is it about having given birth relatively recently?? Does anyone know anymore about the theory?

Does anyone have any experience? I had a good first labour, but it was LOOONNG and nearly 10 years ago now, gulp!

I had a 6.5 year gap and my second labour was WAY easier than the first.

I had a ten year gap between my two - first labour was about 7 hours, second was 2.5 hours (second stage was 6 minutes for DC2). I've been fortunate to have two very straightfoward births.

It's not necessarily true that second babies arrive earlier - DC2 was 13 days overdue. However, there may be some truth in the theory that second babies are heavier - DC2 was a pound and a half heavier than DC1.

For what it's worth, DC2 is coming up to 4 months old, and so far the 10 year gap seems to be working out ok... ask me again when they're 3 and 13, and winding each other up!

Good luck!

I only had a 22 month age gap but the birth of DC2 was much much easier and shorter!

Ooh what lovely reassuring comments, thanks all.

Thanks also sanityawol for words of encouragement about the gap. My lovely ds is very severely autistic so I am worried about how things will be. Whatever, I feel sure it'll really do him to have a sibling. He's certainly VERY into my bump and the baby seems to respond to his strokes and nuzzles. Fingers crossed all will be well.

i had a 2 year gap 2nd birth was actually longer but very much more bearable ! only gas and air and the head was visible to my DH so he had to call the midwife in ! first one was quick and v traumatic so deff think they get easier but we will see with number 3!

Missed a 'good' back there