Please tell me about second labours and childbirth

[Heepers]

Just that really.

I've been fairly relaxed about round 2 but the reality of labour suddenly hit me yesterday and I'm interested to know if it is actually often easier! Also, is tearing more or less likely second time around?

Oh and any tips for getting mentally prepped- spend all my time focusing on my toddler and have forgotten labour is approaching...

Mine was 4 hours from start to finish! Definitely a lot easier than first time. It felt great to know what to expect. My body knew what it was doing. Good luck ☺️

Mine was definitely easier. First time 29 hours, ending with ventouse delivery, lots of blood loss, loads of stitches and baby in NICU for a week.

Second time only 13 hours, natural birth, no stitches and home within 12 hours.

Baby 1:- 30 hours labour. 15 hours active labour (ie post 4 cm - she got stuck!) Attempted instrumental delivery before realised I was still only 9cm. EMCS. Massive PPH.

Baby 2:- 10 hours labour. 4 hours active labour. Born naturally. Technically a PPH but as I put it at the time “is that all I lost - I donate that much when Ingive blood!”

So - yes - a lot easier!

Yes, 2nd time I had a silent labour bar a 'Braxton hick' that didn't hurt but felt like a bowling ball was inside me in the night. Went back to sleep woke up dropped toddler off at nursery and went to a planned 37 week check up at the hospital (I live in Portugal where this is standard practice to listen to baby for 20 mins on trace and examine to check for effacing or not. ) student dr at 12pm examined me and confused look on her face called dr over he examined me and declared I was 6cm. I hung outside the hospital for 2 hours (dr wouldn't let me go home ) in the sunshine (June). Went up at 2pm he was born at 4.40pm. Only at 8cm did I feel stuff happening. 5 minutes 3 pushes.

Question for those that have had multiple deliveries... did baby number 2 come earlier than baby number 1 as a rule?
My first came dead on her due date - I was expecting her to be late... and now I'm a bit worried I might drop early this time!

Baby 1 - induced at 41 weeks exact, 30 hours until delivery, 14 hours 'active' labour apparently a 'traumatic' birth (spinal, forceps etc)

Baby 2 - 41 weeks exact, went in to be induced, was already 4cm so didn't need to be. Had a sweep, 6 hours later was 10cm with 0 contractions. They broke my waters and he was born within the hour.

@SillyBry my first was born at 39+3 second was born at 40+1

First - born at 41+1, 23 hours labour, 2.5 hours pushing, ventouse, episiotomy.

Second - born at 40+3, went in to be induced for reduced movements. No bed available so given a sweep, DS2 was delivered 3 hours later after 7 mins of pushing.