Positive 2nd birth hope

[Positivebirthsplease]

I am 35 weeks with my 2nd baby, first labour was pretty awful, went into labour naturally at 49+2 but very very long and ending in forceps and manual placenta removal. I’m really hopeful for a positive experience this time round and any positive stories would be so helpful!

that was meant to say 40+2!!

My second birth was really a very healing experience. Because I knew a bit more what to expect and id done some hypno birth prep I didn’t panic which was the big difference. Also physically I could definitely tell the difference in that my body had done it before and the muscles were ready. The way had been paved so to speak! Good luck op

My first birth sounds similar to yours and was pretty overwhelming and a bit frightening.
my second birth was everything you would hope for! I honestly would do it again any day. It felt calmer, easier and safer from the start. I get such joy thinking back to it!
wishing you a straight forward second birth too.

Thanks so much for your replies, I am quite positive overall, just have this fear lurking. I definitely panicked last time, even after all the prep I had done! Hoping for a lovely experience rather than crying for hours and hours after! 🤞🏻

My second birth was an absolute breeze compared to my first (2 day labour and forceps). I was so reluctant to go to hospital too early because of how long I'd been there the last time that I almost didn't make it across the carpark and he was out 10 minutes later.

First labour was long and had many complications (5 hours of pushing, baby needing resuscitation, manual placenta removal, surgery to rectify failed manual placenta removal, loss of blood) so I was very scared about second labour. My second labour was completely opposite though. My baby was born in an ambulance in under two hours from first sign of labour. I only pushed twice and was handed a baby, was quite confused that it could be so easy. Third labour was the best though, under two hours but already in hospital. Nice easy birth. The only reason I was already in hospital for baby three was because she was measuring very small so the plan was for an induction at three weeks early, wasn't needed though.

All labours are so different

@stormelf thank you, did your placenta behave itself in your subsequent labours? I’ve also got low platelets which is a worry as well, but they’re monitoring them and I guess I just have to see what happens! I’m hopeful for a good experience though

Throughout my second pregnancy I was told that it would be added to my notes that I would be given the injection for the placenta and that if it didn't work within a certain time frame I'd be taken straight to surgery. I had the injection with my first and was left for three hours with numerous midwives and doctors attempting to manually remove the placenta before being taken to surgery when I started bleeding out. These precautions weren't needed with my second. When we arrived at hospital twenty minutes after his birth my son's cord was cut and as soon as I stood up I passed the placenta. With my third I was given the injection straight after her birth but just like the second there were no issues with the placenta at all. I recovered from their births so quickly and felt completely different than I did after my first which did take a longer recovery.

Good luck with your pregnancy!