Dreading giving birth again - please tell me positive second birth stories!

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Had an awful time with dd. Back to back 46 hour labour with a bad tear. Trying for a home birth this time but am absolutely dreading it. Only a few weeks to go!

First birth was long and traumatic, ending in forceps and episiotomy. Second one completely different. Labour was only 8 hours start until end and baby born in about 3 pushes. I knew what to expect second time so less anxiety of the unknown band definitely your body remembers what to do.

Both of mine were back to back. Second one was 2 hours all in and no stitches

My DD was born after a traumatic induction. Basically I was inducted with a back to back baby and immediately went into labour. Except non of the midwifes would believe me so I was left to labour in a bathroom with no pain relief despite my begging and pleading. 5 mins after the midwife told me I wasn’t in labour I was pushing and wheeled through to the labour ward at high speed. Baby was back to back and stuck it’s chin up so after 3 hours I was taken down to theatre and ended up with forceps, tear, episiotomy and haemorrhage. I was in agony for 4 months but the mental scars from the trauma took years to heal.

Baby number 2 was a home birth. As soon I felt I was in labour I called triage and got my husband to fill the pool. Baby was back to back but midwifes immediately gave me gas and air. 3.5 hours from start to finish my baby was born. I felt the rush of euphoria as he was born unlike my first birth where I was thought ‘thank fuck I’m not dead’ when my daughter was born. Midwife ran me a bubble bath and I cleaned myself up and went to bed to snuggle with my newborn and toddler. I did have a small tear but no pain and I have pictures of me sitting in the garden enjoying the sunshine 2 days after giving birth.

Oh my goodness all these stories are absolutely amazing and really making me feel at ease! I think this baby will also be back to back as that is how she’s currently lying! I think some people must me more prone to back to back babies maybe?! My mum was the same! God that back pain 😵‍💫 I’m still undecided on whether to hire a pool, think I may just use the bath for a bit?! I tried a pool with my first but it felt a bit too chilly. Definitely will be getting a tens machine though! Thanks so much for all your lovely messages xxxx

My birth with my first was relatively straight forward other than tearing and requiring stitches but I found the whole hospital experience really anxiety provoking for me. I had a home birth for my second and it was the best experience I could have imagined, labour was quick and relaxed, I was able to use my own aromatherapy and go about things as normal before I felt I needed to push. I focused purely on the positives and didn't allow myself to think negatively about the home birth and I do feel this helped keep me calm. I am planning another home birth again for my baby due in July and I must say I am so looking forward to it. If you do decide to do the home birth and whilst labouring feel that you need to go to hospital you can do that so please don't worry. My best advice would be to stay calm, make sure you have a comfortable and calm environment ready for when you go into labour and just try to enjoy it. Good luck OP 💗

My first labour was back to back and I was in agony. 20 hour labour with 4 hours pushing, second degree tear.
Second time around he was facing the right way and pain was nowhere near as bad, I didn't even know I was in labour to start with, I only realised when I started timing the contractions. In fact when the contraction timer app flashed up telling me to go to hospital I was going to ignore it as I was coping fine at home - it was only because I had a bleed I went in. DS was born an hour after arriving at hospital in 3 pushes, in the pool with gas and air. From first twinge to delivery was 3.5 hours. My dream birth.