2nd labour better or worse than 1st?

[jollybobs89]

So I'm almost 37 weeks pregnant with my second. 1st was a girl this is a boy.

What was everyone's 2nd labour like better or worse? Also I was 11 days overdue with DD did anyone have an earlier birth or go the similar length

I'd like to evict this baby now please haha

Labour was half as long and so much better. But the same length of time - all mine were born at 42 weeks.

(Just Incase you’re considering number 3, my 3rd was half as fast again!)

So much better. Much faster. My body knew what to do. First was 5+ hours (but induced so went from nothing to pushing in a short space of time - very scary). 2nd was all natural. Hour and half and all done.

Yes much better. DC2 arrived in almost exactly half the time.

2nd was so much better as I knew what to expect.
Got to hospital 9cm dilated and DD 2 was born within half hour of being there.

Both my labours were pretty long but the second time I didn’t need an instrumental delivery, and I didn’t have as many stitches and recovery was quicker. So it was better overall.

Dc1 born at 40 + 6 and dc2 at 40 + 4 so not much difference there.

My second labour was much better. Liked my midwife a lot more which was obviously just by chance. However I just felt a lot calmer and confident. I was terrified of the pushing stage in my first labour which nearly resulted in me having forceps. Second time round I just did what my body told me.
Also highly recommend a water birth if you have the option.

1st - very quick born in 1hr 15mins but awful birth ventous and perineal had to be cut. Recovery was horrible. (Boy)

2nd- (yes I went back for more)
Born in 3 1/2 hours easy labour contractions were manageable but needed stitches. (Girl)

3rd - born in 3 hours contractions were really strong and painful from the start and got unbearable but no stitches. (Girl)

Gas and air for each.

Actual labour was a lot easier but it went wrong afterwards with retained placenta and huge PPH, needed transfusions. The labour itself was a doddle compared to first one though, it was 6 hours compared to 24 hours and it wasn’t back to back like my first labour so I didn’t have constant contractions. I didn’t even go to hospital until I was 9cm, she was born about half an hour after we arrived and I only used gas and air.

Second labour was much better than the first, even with dc2 being nearly 9lb.

How many of you went over your due date ?

1st labour was fine, no complications. 16 hours. But the second labour was only 4 hours and far less painful.

First was 5 days early, 2nd 9 days late, 3rd 5 days late.
Last 2 had to have a sweep.

Better and faster..induced with first as two weeks over due, in hospital for two days before lo was born used all drugs available, induced with second 1 week before due date, waters broken by doctor when 4cm dilated, lo born 20 mins later no time for drugs at all.

Both DC born before 40 weeks and both were inductions. Second labour was much more pleasant than the first!

My 2nd was 11 days overdue (first was 10). I found my second birth worse - labour lasted as long as the first, but was much more stop/start, I needed more pain relief (just gas & air for first) and ended in EMCS for failure to progress.

A worse second labour is a very rare occurrence on these threads. But I always share because SO many people find the second better (even the midwives during labour kept saying "it's your second, you'll be fine!!"), so mentally I became really frustrated and found it much harder because it was taking so long! So please be open to the possibility!

1st I was induced at 41 weeks.. ended up with an epidural. 15 hours labour
2nd I was able to have the baby I'm a birthing suite, it was lovely. 15 hours labour.
Pregnant with my 3rd and I'm booked in for a c section as baby is big and also transverse breech.

All different!

Also with 2nd I was 41 weeks.

Ahhh OP I feel you pain! DC1 was nine days overdue. DC2 was two days early. It was amazing!!!!

The actual labours were exactly the same, both about five hours, both uncomplicated, both needed stitches!