Harder birth second time round?

[LeBFG]

Normally women have harder first births, so I've read a lot about how it's easier second time. And of course, lots of VBAC stories.

How many have had the opposite? Anyone had to have a c-section after VB? I just ask my first was simple VB (but small baby) and although the second is in a great position, it looks like she'll be a lot bigger. I'm hoping to do it all naturally this time. Thanks .

My first baby was 6lbs12ozs
Labour was hard and 16 hrs
My 2nd was 8lbs7ozs
Labour alot easier 8 hrs

much quicker and easier birth second time around

both NVD altho second was a water birth

no stitches second time and a hell of a lot quicker

My first was 8lb. Long drawn out labour in hospital, painful from the off.About 36 hours in all, 4 hours pushing.

My 2nd was a home birth, by the time I called the midwife as I was getting 'uncomfortable' I was fully dilated. They arrived, two pushes and she was out. Didn't even need gas and air.

My friend who is a midwife maintains that bigger babies are easier because they can only fit through one way and are less likely to get into an awkward position! So who knows.
My first took 42 hours, the second, 6. (Third, 8)

First 7 lbs 4 took 48hrs and second 8lbs took 1hr.

I don't think the size makes much difference.

MUCH easier and quicker second birth for me.

Oh yes I agree not sure size makes a difference. My second baby was much bigger than first and was much much easier.

First birth was 4.5hrs and 2 pushes 6ib 8 (but had lots of problems during labour and after leaving me in HDU)

Second was back to back baby, 5 day labour, 2hr pushing which leaded to assisted delivery and 9ib.

But all in all I would still much rather have my 2nd labour to my first :)

Bitterandtwisted your first sounds like mine, 4+ hours of pushing (what the hell was that about?!) and now having a homebirth and hoping my story is similar to yours!

my bigger (second) baby was an easier labour

Bigger second baby, quicker labour but much longer second stage and ended up ventouse.

All 3 of mine were roughly the same size (3oz between smallest and biggest). Second labour was a lot shorter than the first but more painful as he was back to back.

First baby 6 hours labour, 1 hour pushing, bad 2nd degree tear & looooong recovery time.
3.8 years later, baby no 2, 3cm to birth 28 mins, 2 pushes, no tear & pushed baby up to post natal. 2 weeks later it doesn't feel as if I've given birth at all!
Both babies 8lb7oz & 55cm.

First baby arrived at 37+5, 6lb 5oz, straight forward 9 hour labour, lovely waterbirth with just gas and air, and no stitches after.

Second baby arrived at 40+9, 9lb 14oz, was induced after a heavy bleed following a sweep, labour was 4 hours but was very painful and had an epidural. Also baby's shoulders got stuck and had to have 3 midwives pushing down on my tummy and another 2 trying to pull baby out. 2nd degree tear with stitches.

First baby 9lbs, back-to-back and brow presentation, 11hrs from first contraction to baby in arms, 2nd/borderline 3rd degree tear, hard work, manageable, no pain relief.

Second baby 7lbs, 15 mins, no pain relief, exceptionally eye-wateringly painful, small tear, screamed for an epidural the whole time and screamed generally.

My theory is second time round was so quick my body didn't have time to build up its natural pain killers. I also panicked due to the speed of it all and released a tonne of adrenaline. Went into shock afterwards and shook like a leaf for a good two hours!!!

Interesting stories, thanks. Seems on the whole 2nd labours are less complicated than first ones. I hope so. I have (an irrational?) fear of c-sections (family history) so want to avoid at all costs. Fingers crossed there will be no need for one!

this is nice and reassuring!