Second pregnancy

monty23 · 2023-07-31T15:42:32+00:00

Hey guys This is my second pregnancy and I am scared in everyone's opinion is the second labour faster or slower, easier or harder than the first

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Thankyouthankyoujellybean · 31/07/2023 17:08

Faster and MUCH easier for me. I was open to having another epidural but didn't get to the point where I needed one. A huge improvement on the first time round!

What is it you are worried about?

Original poster

monty23 · 31/07/2023 17:26

Thankyouthankyoujellybean · 31/07/2023 17:08

Faster and MUCH easier for me. I was open to having another epidural but didn't get to the point where I needed one. A huge improvement on the first time round!

What is it you are worried about?

Oh most the women I know have a had c sections so it's just making me worried a bit, I didn't want it to be longer or harder to push with the second one.
I'm going for a water birth again with just gas and air but I think it's just my nerves playing with me.

OP posts:

PurBal · 31/07/2023 17:29

Pushing stage was slightly shorter (16 minutes down to 14), harder because the epidural failed and I panicked. I wish I hadn’t panicked. There was no reason to.

snoopy18 · 31/07/2023 17:57

I’m currently on second pregnancy (not had scan yet but hopefully is doing ok). Midwife at the appointment last week was saying second births tend to be quicker due to the uterus still being strong and not over used.They both said there’s more delays and things going on with first and third + pregnancies. They said they try to get women in second pregnancies seen quicker when in labour as things can move very fast.

Glitterstars · 31/07/2023 17:59

Second was so much quicker between first contraction and birth was 1 hour early nearly didn’t make it to the hospital. A lot easier as well x

Thankyouthankyoujellybean · 31/07/2023 18:27

I know a good number of women who have had two straightforward vaginal births and all of them had an easier time with the second. How far along are you? If you've got time to get fit that definitely helps.

I'm so jealous of your water birth btw! I got stuck on a pitocin drip twice 🙄

PickledScrump · 31/07/2023 20:24

my first was an unpleasant induction. My second was the most amazing water birth. I used a tens machine up until getting in the water and then just gas and air. When I got to the hospital I was 3cm and she was born 3.5 hours later so really quick. I’d really recommend doing an online course, I did one called The Bump to Baby chapter as I was really scared after the first birth. It definitely helped me.

Original poster

monty23 · 31/07/2023 20:54

PurBal · 31/07/2023 17:29

Pushing stage was slightly shorter (16 minutes down to 14), harder because the epidural failed and I panicked. I wish I hadn’t panicked. There was no reason to.

Oh no well at least everything went well in the end they came out safely

OP posts:

Original poster

monty23 · 31/07/2023 20:55

snoopy18 · 31/07/2023 17:57

I’m currently on second pregnancy (not had scan yet but hopefully is doing ok). Midwife at the appointment last week was saying second births tend to be quicker due to the uterus still being strong and not over used.They both said there’s more delays and things going on with first and third + pregnancies. They said they try to get women in second pregnancies seen quicker when in labour as things can move very fast.

This was very detailed thank you so much it helped my mindset a lot hopefully my hospital is nice like this it's only a 5 min walk down the road lol

OP posts:

Original poster

monty23 · 31/07/2023 20:57

Thankyouthankyoujellybean · 31/07/2023 18:27

I know a good number of women who have had two straightforward vaginal births and all of them had an easier time with the second. How far along are you? If you've got time to get fit that definitely helps.

I'm so jealous of your water birth btw! I got stuck on a pitocin drip twice 🙄

I am 29 weeks now
I want to do anything I can to help the labour any teas or exercise anything really

If you have another one I recommend it, it was lovely and relaxing for me my first was scary but it was lovely and relaxing

OP posts:

Roollie · 31/07/2023 21:12

My first labour was 72 hours (Inc 10 hours active and 2 hours pushing)
Second labour was 3 hours (7 minutes from water breaking and starting to push to birth)

shakeitoffsis · 31/07/2023 21:15

2 hour labour first time. 48 mins second time. Felt much more in control second time.

Thankyouthankyoujellybean · 31/07/2023 22:04

@monty23 I'm 10 weeks with #3, here's hoping I can manage a waterbirth at last!

I really recommend a combination of swimming and yoga as often as is practical, but that's what works for me. Anything is better than nothing and something you enjoy is definitely going to be more beneficial than something you don't.