Long first labour, what was your experience second time round?

[CurryandSnuggle]

For those who had a long first labour (mine was 36 hours), what was your experience second time round?

I know no one can predict how short the next time will be but I am just interested to hear stories as I’ve heard second time should be shorter. I’m wondering how much shorter it has been for people generally in comparison to the first time.

I had an awful back to back longgggggggg Labour first time and genuinely my second Labour was the best day of my life. I would do it every single day if I could. It was very quick and the opposite experience of my first. I used to be a midwife and although it isn't like this for everybody as a general rule second births are usually the quickest and most straight forward. My advice is to use positive affirmations you may feel.silly but I really think they are powerful and help with almost anything. Try to remember that you've done it once before, your body knows what is doing and trust in that. You've got this!

1st was 20 hours, second was 2.5 hrs. Best of luck.

Oh sorry only just seen all your posts....so you had a section first time! What was the reason for the section in the end?

First was induction at 42 weeks, 36 hours in labour followed by emcs as he ended up posterior brow and then posterior facial presentation.
Second had stop start contractions starting on due date and lasting until 40+3 then woke with back ache and period pains. Realised it was contractions at around 9pm, went to hospital at around 11pm (they made me go in because it was VBAC) was 5cm on arrival, dc born at 10am the following day

@Madrenetterhere thank you yes I got to 9cm but sons head was turned in awkward position and had started to swell, which was obstructing the last 1cm of dilation (gah, so frustrating as I remember when the midwife I had for most of the night was clocking off and she was convinced I would have baby vaginally within the next couple of hours and it ended up being a section).

Anyway there’s no reason I can’t do it this time. I’ve dilated before so I imagine that stage will be quicker, hopefully.

Ahhh bless ya! You are right to believe you can do it! I believe you can too! Best wishes to you x

1st 28 hours
2nd 6.5 hours
3rd 3 hours

First was really awful, other two were great

These answers are worrying me 😄
My first labor was 6 hours... and started with waters breaking at home.
I need to arrange childcare when the second comes since October! 😩 but it really looks like the second comes much faster!

In October*

1 = 36 hours
2 = 3 hours.

I remember being on such a weird high after birth no. 2 as well. I kept laughing for no reason. I think it was because I'd been so terrified (no. 1 birth was not good) and it was actually fine, albeit quite quick at the end.

Ha, no. I went to bed as normal, had a contraction. Started timing them and they were close throughout, but I neglected to also measure how long each was which would have been a clue. They were powerful and regular from the outset. Went downstairs, called hosp, spoke to midwife for about 10 minutrs with no issues.

Went for a wee, felt the urge to push (didn't overly recognise it as never got to that stage with #1 before had spinal block) and waters broke in the loo. Pottered put and calmly told dh,didn't recognise the significance. He called hospital back, who told him to hang up and call ambulance. Which he did, it was getting pretty intense by then.

Ambulance arrived very quickly and I was in full swing by then.

Son appeared very shortly after as we rattled through the New Forest.

I thought I'd dodged a bullet as it was so quick, but as he was huge I did myself some damage, and was in physical shock for a while after, shaking etc.

@SunnySideUp2020 omg I know the feeling. Mine and DH’s family live 2 hours away, so he was going to drive half way to hand DS over to FIL. By the look of this thread, there’s a risk bubba will already have been born by the time DH gets back 😂 but I’ve got this, even if I end up doing it alone (which is a scary thought, not gonna lie). I so hope he can be there though.

1st 28 hours. Episiotomy and 3rd degree tear that needed stitching in theatre.

2nd 55 minutes. Just a graze

About 24 hours from 5cm for first, second I think about 2.5 hours. Much easier, and the pain relief worked better for a shorter time.

I'd suggest finding a local friend or two to step in until fil gets there, most mums would be happy to step in if they can ☺️

@CurryandSnuggle haha same here. Closest family is my brother 2hrs away.
Like you I am prepared to do it alone if needed!
We can do this 😉 but obviously better to have the DH with us

First 36 hours. Fucking disaster.
Second 4 hours. Brilliant.
Third about 10 hours of early labour, totally manageable, slept through most of it. 2 hours proper labour.

@Isonthecase last time ny waters broke at midnight. Not sure someone with kids would be available in the middle of the night!
So tough

DS1 21 hours
DS2 12 hours
DS3 5 hours

First was 23 hours, second was 3 hours start to finish, both identical weights

1st: 44 hours (brutal)
2nd: 6 hours (arrived at hospital at 4am, baby had arrived by 7!)
My midwife said long labours tend to make quick second labours, as your body really knows what to do! Worked in my case.

@SunnySideUp2020 yeah mine was 3am. I don’t think I trust anyone to have my DS beyond family. We’ve never hired a babysitter or anything either.

He does have a childminder who I trust but again, unless baby is coming in the day I would not wake her in the night to have DS lol.

My first (dd1) was 4 days early, 37 hours, posterior baby, needed drip at one point, breaking waters didn't help, all round not great 7ntil we just went for ventouse and she was born on the 3rd pull. 9lb 12oz which everyone agreed might have had something to do with it! Can't remember how many stitches but there were a lot!

Second was spontaneous waters went at 10pm, went to hospital at midnight (as we didn't want to leave it any later for our wonderful neighbour who had agreed to look after dd1). Ds was born at 8am, textbook vaginal delivery with 2 stitches. He was 10 days early. 9lb3oz (glad he didn't go to term!!!)

Third (dd2) was an induction at 36+6. I was very unwell with kidney issues, they needed her out! Was given pessary at 6am, she was born at 6pm. Simple delivery again. Only 7lb15oz, so again, grateful for an early delivery.

So mine got both earlier and smaller. But no2 was certainly the easiest!

1st was 31hrs and emcs (head in weird twisted position)

2nd was 38hrs and emcs (head in weird twisted position...)

Induced for both...

First took forever! Or so it seemed and awful in terms of pain.

Second took ages to start but over quickly... much less painful.

First DS was a bruiser, second DD is petite ... not sure if that helped