Second birth - good stories please!

[Magda16]

Hi everyone have recently found out I’m pregnant and a bit nervous of giving birth again. First was over two weeks late, induction, all the drugs, epidural didn’t even work properly, failed ventouse, forceps.
Am mainly terrified of having to go on the drip again. Also I want to be able to stand up for myself a bit more this time. Any advice? Please don’t recommend hypnobirthing - tried that last time totally useless!!

First one was similar to you but not as extreme. 10 days over, induced with the pessary, agonising pains that midwife fobbed as she thought it was too soon and a shocked discovery when they thought I was about 4cm that I was 10 and had started pushing. Had had pethidine that made DS really sleepy and emergency button pressed, bit of suction etc for him but then all well.

DC2 was a dream. Waters broke overnight, checked out in MAU and sent home. Rest of day bit of cramping, nothing too bad. Mild all day till about 23.00. Got stronger but fine at home with just TENS and a box set. Managed a bit of light sleep on the sofa. Headed to hospital early hours. Was clocked in at 5.05. Still laughing and chatting, strong contractions but manageable. Started gas and air about 6.30 when they got stronger, DD born at 8.20. So really only about 9 hours of contractions and only 2 of those needing anything more than TENS.

The not being induced massive difference and there's a good chance you won't need to be 2nd time round.

First was a nightmare, induced and an epidural as it was intense, ended up with suction cup and emergency lights being pressed, extremely close to being a c section but finally managed to get them out. Recovery was awful as the cut was quite large and baby struggled to feed.

Second, started having a few pains but very mild. Didn’t think much of it as it was nothing like being induced. Rang just to double check and they called me in as it was second baby just to check what was going on. Turns out I was 7cm dilated with irregular and very manageable contractions. Baby was born 2hrs after arriving at hospital, water birth and was home 6hrs later. Second child was my dream birth I never got with my first

My 1st was a full induction with hormone drip and vontouse as she was in distress.
2nd was a slow labor. Was examined at 39+6 and 1cm, went to hospital at 40+4 only 5cm. They refused to break waters due to polyhydramnios so left over 24hrs contracting on ward. 40+5 (still 5cm) they broke waters and he was born 2hr 19mins later, 2 episiotomy cuts as his shoulders got a bit stuck (15 mins pushing).
My 3 was the best natural delivery, labor started on due date, went to hospital at 40+2 5cm, was there about 5.5hrs before they broke waters, she was born 11 mins later with just a few pushes.
Our twins were born by elective cesarean as breech so no labor.

First dc was 17 hour labour. Pethidine and had to be woken to push. Strange rash (me) appeared and kept in a bloody week!
Dc2 I was fast asleep and waters breaking woke me up at midnight. Had a 9'3 ds by 2.55 am. Gas and air and no stitches.. Same with dc3 and 4!!

1st 10 days late .. 24 hour labour all the drugs.. epidural and forceps..

2nd .. 3 hours start to finish no drugs!

I have only one child but and had an induced labour. No problems except the midwife telling me to stop making a fuss and when, she came back ten minutes later, took me straight to the delivery suite. No tears or any problems at all.

First was similar to you, 2 weeks overdue, epidural, delivered by forceps eventually. Second arrived within 3 hours like another poster above and never even got that painful. Feel like my third was the middle ground, 7-8 hours, v painful but no big interventions.

First Labour 44hrs, epidural. Second, slow labour for a week very mild cramping. Then gorgeous home birth 2.5hrs in total, didn’t even have to think about pain relief. First time I was so into hypnobirthing, it’s not pain, it’s intense feelings, just let your body do the work etc. Wasn’t quite the reality. Second time it was actually like that without any contrivance from me, if that makes sense. Body took over and I followed it!

Oh and ps the second one was 10lb 5!

My second was induced but because my body had done it before everyone said it would be easy and honestly it was. Waters broken at 12, on the drip at 2, baby born at 8 after two small pushes (whilst the midwife was still sorting her gloves out...). It hurt but was short so not exhausting and no damage to me.

First was an absolute nightmare just like yours. Except the ventouse worked with 2 nurses pushing on my belly and the doctor doing squated pushes

2nd one I refused induction for the longest time possible (not that much....). Doctor ruptured membranes and put on a drip and it was MUCH EASIER! Much quicker, no pain drugs needed.

3rd one, yes still overdue but she ended up choosing her own birthday midwife still ruptured membranes though totally not needed...... but I was in fully contraction mode and didn't even question it. It got bad..... got into a continuous contraction, heartrate of baby went down and they had to call crash team she was out in 15 min after the rupture

It was so stressful, anxious, soul breaking asking and asking and asking for more time but I wouldn't do it any other way. All 3 were born roughly 12 days overdue

There is also the option of a balloon for induction. Research about it