First labour vs. second labour

[Crumpets12]

Hello,
If you had a long labour, forceps and tears in your first labour, (or similar) what was your second labours like?

I know labours don’t usually follow a rule book but I was just curious more than anything. With my first it was 20 hour labour which ended in forceps and with a 3rd degree tear. I still feel really positive about my first birth but would love my second labour to be slightly easier/ better. Just looking for people’s experiences really, even if you had a worse second birth!

Thanks!

First was 31hrs. Had ventouse (failed), forceps (failed), emcs and a haemorrhage.

Second was 38hrs and they went straight to emcs after that point.

Usually they're shorter and easier!

1st labour was 19 hours,
2nd was 2 hours from start to finish.
Both natural

First was a relatively quick induction but pushing went on for too long so it ended with forceps/second degree tear and episiotomy. Second labour, induction took forever, didn't actually work but they were able to break my waters and put me on the drip. Labour was much quicker and way less painful (I did get an epidural the second time but even before that I went up to 6cm with very manageable contractions). I went from 6cm to pushing within 20 mins and she was out in 4 pushes or so, no tears.

Obviously there are always exceptions but every midwife I saw during my second pregnancy said that it would be much easier this time around, and they were definitely right! I only had a long induction because I was induced before 40 weeks and cervix wasn't ready, once my waters were gone it all felt very easy. I was so elated afterwards that I had finally had the birth experience I had missed out on with my first.

I highly recommend doing the positive birth company’s digital hypnobirthing course

First birth was 12 hrs, epidural, episiotomy, ventouse, recovery was tough.
Second birth was similar in length but totally different vibe - home birth in a pool - breathed baby out. I had a 2nd degree tear (but it was soooo much easier recovery-wise). Midwives were amazing which helped. Appreciate that home birth isnt for everyone but being totally in control of my environment was a game-changer for me.

1st labour - 7 hours, episiotomy at the end and grazing.
2nd labour - 3.5 hours, episotomy again and vaginal wall tear.

first induced, v long, epidural, episiotomy and ventouse

second home birth 4 hours no pain meds used hypno birthing.

so pissed off I allowed myself to be induced first time round. Trust your body was my key takeaway

(btw 3rd birth - home birth and 8 hours)

I don't think 20 hrs is long for a first labour, pretty average. Mine was 26 hours first time and 2.5 hours the second time. Second time was so much better.

First labour 21 hours, ventouse rather than forceps, 2nd degree tear.

Second labour 8 hours, no assist and 2nd degree tear

Hi OP,

1st birth- spontaneous labour, approx 6 hours in total, episiotomy and forceps in theatre.
2nd- practically the same as the first. I did progress much quicker but he was stuck.
I did the PBC hypnobirthing course for my second, and truly believed I would have a different experience, but unfortunately not!
TTC number and three and will be requesting a maternal request C section this time.
Good luck! X

1st was hind waters broke, no contractions so induction. Awful experience, 2nd degree tear.

2nd I had a lovely water birth, so relaxed, was only in hospital for 8 hours, no tears. Absolute dream birthing experience. I did an online hypnobirthing course called the bump to baby chapter and really believe it helped me have that relaxed birth.

Now pregnant with number 3 and worried this time won’t be as amazing

First labour was 21 hours, epidural, forceps
Second labour was 12 hours, G&A, nasty tear (can't remember what degree)
Third labour was a home birth, 5 hours, G&A, not even a scratch

All spontaneous labours close to term, each around half as long as the previous one.

1st started naturally then tailed off. Pessary kickstarted it again and DS arrived very swiftly!

2nd required several pessaries to get going and ended in emcs.

1st labour was 48 hours, forceps, episiotomy and PPH
2nd labour was 1 hour 17m, small tear
3rd labour was 2 hours 20 mins, no tear