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

Original poster

Was pushing baby out easier the second time?

39 replies

TheSubtleKnifeAndFork · 13/11/2018 14:24

Sorry for the bizarre question! Blush

I've seen lots of general threads on here about "how did you second labour compare to your first?" but I'm interested more in the specifics of pushing the baby out.

My first baby was really quite difficult to push out. I don't know if my pushing was in effective (I wasn't told this at the time) or if there wasn't quite enough stretch at the exit, or what, but I rather struggled to get him out. I had an episiotomy in the end (narrowly avoiding forceps) and then he came out really easily!

I hear stories of babies being born in a couple of pushes, and that sounds utterly blissful.

I know there's absolutely zero way to predict how my next birth will be, based on other experiences (or any other method), but I'm still interested to hear how pushing a baby out compared between first and second labour.

Also wondering if position actually makes a difference? I'd intended to push in a position where gravity would help, but the midwife got me on my back eventually and I do wonder if that possibly slowed things down, as it's not meant to be the best position to give birth in (although I know so many women do).

OP posts:
Blondebrunette1 · 13/11/2018 17:52

My third came out the easiest but was 3/4 weeks earlier than the others and so smaller. The others I had to be cut, forceps and ventous with. I think position and size must play a part. Only in my experience of course. X

Blondebrunette1 · 13/11/2018 17:53

Labour's got shorter though with each baby, first was significantly longest, I guess your body knows what it's doing.

fatcats · 13/11/2018 17:56

Absolutely!!

My first was 28 mins of pushing...my second was under 1 minute! It was so quick they didn't even record that stage of labour haha!

Hope all goes well :)

Shadow1234 · 13/11/2018 18:05

First baby took longer and I was on my back, second baby a lot quicker and seemed easier to push, but held the back of the bed frame and was on my knees! Dont know if it was to do with gravity, but was a lot more comfortable and definitely quicker. cant guarantee this would be the same for everyone though!

Cleojinx · 13/11/2018 18:44

I think it depends on a lot of factors. DS was a nightmare because he was back to back. Just couldn't bloody get him out! Took a lot of intervention. But that's to be expected of a back to back baby generally. Currently pregnant with DD and hoping for an easier pushing experience as yourself haha!

I'm hoping that knowing what to expect and having more trust in the body to do what it needs to do will help!

Youaremysunshine4eva · 13/11/2018 18:46

I had forceps for first and second. Second labour was shorter though

2childrenandout · 13/11/2018 18:53

First labour was extremely long (4 days early labour [confused)] and ended up having an episotomy and ventouse. Second labour was 4 hours and no intervention. Second was worse (stinging) as I did it all on my own and had help the first time round.

DramaAlpaca · 13/11/2018 19:53

My first had to be helped out with forceps after I'd been pushing for ages, I can't remember how long.

My second took 20 minutes & my third flew out in three pushes. So quicker every time.

Original poster
TheSubtleKnifeAndFork · 13/11/2018 19:57

Flying out sounds good... how do I get me one of those?!

I only pushed for 1.5 hrs and I have heard or women pushing for much longer, so maybe I got off lightly really. But bloody hell it was hard work, and disheartened that it didn't really get us anywhere, and I strained every muscle in my body!!

OP posts:
JessicaKenny2018 · 13/11/2018 20:11

My first seemed to take forever and had episiotomy in the end, second was born in around 5 to 6 pushes, third was the same as second, my fourth had to be born by c section as he was breech, now pregnant with my fifth and hoping for a vbac

Lou0219 · 13/11/2018 20:13

Am I selfish for wanting my OH and my mum with me when I give birth? My OH made a huge issue over it saying I’m selfish and he wants it to be me and him. Thanks Smile

Wolfiefan · 13/11/2018 20:14

My first I pushed for an hour. He was back to back.
My second? Well seconds. Blush
Due to better position and my body knowing what to do? Plus she’s always been impatient. Shock

Lou0219 · 13/11/2018 20:16

Sorry OP I accidentally posted my Q on yours I’m new to mums net!! This is my first so I can’t help but I hope all goes ok Flowers

Scoleah · 13/11/2018 20:17

I didn't have the urge to push with my first, felt as if I was forcing her out.
But my 2nd, my Body just all of a sudden Took over,
I can only explain it as, when your about to be sick and you heave and you can't stop it, it was like that down below😂
Not like I Vag Spewed out my child but you get my Drift Grin

Bigonesmallone3 · 13/11/2018 20:19

First baby 7lb 1oz natural labour
Second baby 6lb 5oz induces labour, much harder to get out! Could of been coz she was about 9 days earlier

SoyDora · 13/11/2018 20:21

Definitely for me. I pushed for 1.5 hours with my first, and felt like my pushing was really ineffective. They eventually decided to use ventouse but by the time it was prepped I just managed to get her out.
Second time was about 15 mins of pushing! Far less painful too.

HeyMicky · 13/11/2018 20:22

I delivered both of mine in the same position (kneeling, resting on the back of the hospital bed). 2nd was loads easier - just 4 pushes (1 "down", 1 "around", 1 for the head and 1 out, if that all makes sense). I knew exactly where to "aim" for and how it should feel

momoa80 · 13/11/2018 20:26

@scoleah I laughed so much at vag spew! GrinGrinGrinGrin

randomsabreuse · 13/11/2018 20:27

1st was natural labour. 6.11 baby, 2 hours + pushing, tore.

2nd induced, long early labour, short 1st stage, 1.5 hours pushing, epesiotomy, 8lb baby.

Pushing very similar both times, build up different. Epesiotomy better than stitches I think

LeticiaDejeuner · 13/11/2018 20:30

Yup, definitely gets easier. Because you know exactly what to expect and how to do it. First time, when the moment came to push I couldn't think how to do it, so panicked and screamed instead! 2nd & 3rd babies, easy peasy (relatively speaking).

soupmaker · 13/11/2018 20:41

Yes. About and hour and half of pushing DD1 who was a spontaneous labour and arrived 6lb 3oz at a week overdue. DD2 was induced at 40 weeks, labour was short and fast with less than 10 minutes of pushing. DH only just made it as she flew out, all 8lbs 1oz of her. Stitching me up took longer.

puguin86 · 13/11/2018 20:57

Not 40 minutes after pushing out the first GrinWink

OhOk · 13/11/2018 20:59

My second was quicker, but I was in my knees holding the back of the bed and didn’t really push, I think gravity did all the work and she pushed herself out! Still hurt though!

namechange00 · 13/11/2018 21:18

God I HOPE so! I remember feeling like my eyes were popping out of my head pushing DD out 👀

Armygirl · 13/11/2018 22:06

My first one I was pushing for 2 hours, she was back to back and I ended up needing an episiotomy. Every muscle ached in my body for days afterwards. My second came out while I went to the toilet 😯 head delivered without pushing and then one push to deliver the rest of baby. My 3rd was 2 pushes in total. I’m hoping my 4th will be just as quick 😀

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