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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Second labour - easier or harder?!

24 replies

MacMac123 · 14/10/2012 15:21

Just keen to hear your experiences ladies as my 2nd labour approaches.
Faster/slower/easier/harder/more or less pain etc

Had a quick birth last time ( although wouldn't exactly describe it as enjoyable) and keep getting told this one will be even quicker and easier.

Is that true? What were your experiences? Due in 3 weeks so it's coming into my thoughts!

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MrsJohnDeere · 14/10/2012 15:23

Easier. More painful but quicker and no tearing.

youbethemummylion · 14/10/2012 15:24

I am one of those for whom the second labour was a lot quicker and easier, just as blooming painful tho! I think the main thing for me was knowing what t0 expect, when i went into labour with my first I had no clue what to expect and was crying down the phone to the midwife that I was either in labour or dying cos it hurt so bad. The second time I know what the pain was and that helped me keep calmer and more in control.

humblebumble · 14/10/2012 15:24

Easier, faster, more enjoyable felt much more in control.

Haribojoe · 14/10/2012 15:25

Easier, just under 4 hours from first contraction to baby in my arms.

Think natal hypnotherapy had a lot to do with it as helped take away the fear/panic.

RobinSparkles · 14/10/2012 15:29

A hundred times easier for me! A lot less painful and a lot shorter.

Pochemuchka · 14/10/2012 15:36

For me - number 2 was loads better!

First labour went on for more than 48 hours and hospital didn't know if my waters had broken and kept me under observation for 7 hours, discharged me only for me to go into labour big time less than an hour later!
Was totally knackered at the end of it! Also wasn't prepared as I was only 37 weeks.

Second one was 3 3/4 hours from contractions to baby in arms!
I knew I was going to have him that day too so went shopping for all the last minute things in the morning :)
There are actually photos of me laughing in labour at the hospital and I listened to music, had a bath and generally had quite a nice time!

Both births straightforward no tears etc. here's hoping DC3 is even easier!

CountryKitty · 14/10/2012 16:22

Hi, my second labour was much faster (under 1 hour from 1st contraction to babe in arms) but because of this much more painful and traumatic.

Expecting DD3 in January and have been told to get in the car asap if I feel anything even remotely resembling a contraction given that the hospital is 45 mins away!

Goodluck!

brighterfuture · 14/10/2012 16:30

I found 2nd labour a bit easier. I was probably more relaxed because I knew I could do it and live to tell the tale !

However the pain of the womb contracting after having given birth , especially when I was breast feeding, was much stonger and really hurt a lot , like contractions all over again and continued for a few days. My 3rd labour afterpains were worse again . I suppose it takes more work for the womb to shrink back after its been stretched a few times.

mumtocuddlebundle · 14/10/2012 16:47

I was expecting second labour to be easier and quicker. But didn't really work out like that. It was quicker - 10 hours instead of 20. But I found it more intense. Like my body had to work through the contractions quicker. So easier in some ways, but not in others. Wasn't so long so not as exhausting. I think my tearing was slightly worse- slightly bigger baby.

bookbird · 14/10/2012 16:52

I had an easy time first time. 9 hours from waters breaking to babe in arms. 2nd baby arrived in 2 hours from start to finish. Actually felt a bit panicked, they only examined me because I moved out the family room because I was puffing and panting so much and didn't want to wake another father to be who had the cheek to try and catch 40 winks!

AlphaBeta82 · 14/10/2012 17:25

As I'm pregnant with my second, after 4 days of contractions and 48 hours of labour, forceps, shoulder distocia and a huge blood loss with my first, I'm hoping no.2 will be easier- ladies you give me hope!!

MirandaWest · 14/10/2012 17:29

Much better second time round.

First time I was in hospital anyway due to Pre-eclampsia, I had a forceps delivery then a PPH of about 1500 ml. Had epidural after birth to sew me up with legs in -- position which wasnt great for someone with SPD. Had a blood transfusion the next day and felt very battered for a while.

Second time was about 6 hours from first twinge to baby and 2 of them were pushing. Small blood loss, no stitches, felt bright and perky afterwards and was able to just get on with life. Was much better :)

Original poster

MacMac123 · 14/10/2012 17:33

This is giving me hope too! Had bad tear first time round and hoping it won't happen again. Mind u not done much to prevent it (ie no Periniuem massage as keep forgetting!) so if it does happen will have to take responsibility for that!

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Lindor · 14/10/2012 17:42

second time round much better. First time quite quick but major tearing followed by 11 days in hospital. I was offered a C section second time round because of this, but decided against it.

Second time, was in gentle labour from breakfast time til teatime. Got to hospital at 6.20pm, baby born 7.20pm. No tearing, no stitches. Much better.

Hope it all goes well, X

cbeebiesatemybrain · 14/10/2012 18:59

Second labour was way easier and faster! 2 1/2 hours from first contraction to baby and it felt less painful because I was more in control. I would definitely do it again if I could be guaranteed another labour like that!

jumblequeen · 14/10/2012 19:50

I agree with the others who have posted, this thread is really giving me hope.

I'm only 9 weeks at the moment, but following a traumatic (and loooooooong) first delivery, I'm already feeling nervous (read: petrified). It's funny because I was so confident going into the birth of my son and I feel that the process of giving birth actually took that away from me...!

mom2rhysnruby · 14/10/2012 20:43

Due my 2nd in 12 days, these posts r so reassuring and have helped me get over my fear after a horrible 1st birth :)

FannyFifer · 14/10/2012 20:49

My second birth did a lot to heal the trauma of my first.
I knew what was happening, didn't panic so was more in control.
I enjoyed my labour on my second, had a few issues at the end as they needed to get DD out quickly but if was good until then.
Best of luck.

mamij · 14/10/2012 20:55

Much easier second time! About 7 hours from twinges until baby in arms. No drugs or gas and air. And no tears.

Labour was about 72 hours first time, epidural and a small tear with stitches.

RancerDoo · 14/10/2012 20:58

Much easier.
Still ended in emcs ( both did) but I wasn't scared, I stayed at home for ages so hardly any internals, the pain was waaay more manageable ( epidural at 4cm with dd1, no pain relief the second time) and it took half the time.

Original poster

MacMac123 · 15/10/2012 19:04

Any more 2nd labour stories? Looks like there are a few of us expecting number 2 and keen to hear more experiences!

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CurlyKiwiControl · 15/10/2012 19:23

Much better. Knew what I was doing ... Faster but okay. About 4 hours all in. Pushing / crowning a lot quicker (which I think is worst part)

Only had grazes 1st time around, but very painful when weeing or pooing for a long time.

Not even one little graze this time ... I felt normal down there really

Good luck sure U will be fine :)

Oh and DS was a pound larger than DD

javotte · 15/10/2012 19:47

Much easier and faster. Partly because I didn't let the MW bully me into lying on my back.

rogersmellyonthetelly · 16/10/2012 07:02

Just as painful but much faster and she came out much easier!

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