How did your first pregnancy and labour compare to your second?

[harrywantedmefirst]

Just that really. In terms of morning sickness, symptoms, labour etc how did your first compare to your second?

In terms of pregnancy, first one was much easier, I was also 14 years younger! I was able to be active until quite late in the pregnancy, whereas this time around, at 31,I had to stop work at 28 weeks. Can't comment yet of the 2nd labour, which can be any day now, but first time round it lasted about 6 hours and I had 2nd degree tear, healed up quickly though.

Really different.

First pregnancy was quite straightforward. Had morning sickness for first 16 weeks, which was tough, but it was a textbook pregnancy, really. I went overdue by 2 weeks and was induced. Labour was long and ended in emergency c-section for failure to progress. Hard recovery and struggled quite a bit afterwards with feeding, feeling shattered and generally a bit of PND.

Second pregnancy was GRIM. Hyperemesis, so was sick from 6 weeks all the way through, was hospitalised for dehydration, felt unspeakably awful. Then found out I had obstetric cholestasis at 30 weeks and had bouts of reduced movement, so was a doubly stressful third trimester.

Birth was a breeze, though. Planned c-section 37 weeks. Recovery was smooth and fast. Felt like a million dollars! Wanted to do it all again immediately (I didn’t, though!)

Both pregnancies with my DDs were straightforward and very similar, lots of morning sickness but overall lovely experiences.

Labours couldn't have been more different though! With my eldest I was contracting for over 24 hours and was in active labour for a further 11 hours - I had to have every pain relief going including an epidural and I had an anti-sickness injection because I kept throwing up. DD1 pooed still inside me and was quite distressed, plus I needed stitches when she finally arrived.

DD2 was entirely different. Overall active labour took 15 minutes with no time for pain relief! Five minutes to pop my waters and ten minutes (with five pushes) for her to be born. She was super chilled out and I thankfully didn't need stitches.

I'm pregnant with what will hopefully be number 3 now and I'm certain the sickness is much worse this time round. 🤢