how did your second birth compare to your first?

[glasspaw]

I’m currently pregnant with my second and I’m curious about how people’s second childbirth was compared to their first? I progressed extremely fast with my first and I guess I’m trying to sense what sort of plan I should have for going in to hospital. I came close to not making it last time!

I almost didn’t make it in with DC1. I had a midwife running around looking for DH in the car park as she thought he was going to miss it. It was very fast and intense.

Well I worried myself sick about not making it there with DC2…only for her to take something 10 hours. Seconds aren’t always faster as I found out!

My first was really fast, my second was about 5 times as long but much more relaxing and easier as I felt more in control.

2nd was faster, easier, swear-ier 😁

@Greybluewhite @CheshireCat1 that’s actually really reassuring. All I keep seeing are stories of it being faster second time and I felt with the first that the sudden ramp up in intensity made me feel like I had no real control over how I dealt with it. There was no time for painkillers or anything. I’d rather a bit more of a ramp with my next one.

obviously I know I don’t exactly get a choice 😆 but it’s reassuring to hear from some people whose fast 1sts didn’t translate to even faster 2nds!

DD was about 12hrs, ended with an episiotomy and ventouse delivery. I had preeclampsia so no idea how long I was actually in labour because I was so unwell. Fairly traumatic for everyone involved but all fine afterwards.

DS was 20mins of actual pushing. Started feeling funny at 7am, got to the hospital at 12:45, he was born at 1:05pm. If we'd been any longer he would've been born in the car! Had a small tear (along the old episiotomy scar) but otherwise the birth was okay. There was trouble with the placenta afterwards though and I had a small PPH.

Very best of luck OP, I'm sure it'll be fine

First labour was 8 hours, second was 5. But first was "easier" - no tearing and everything progressed in a normal, linear way. Second I had significant stitching afterwards and that was nearly as bad as the birth itself.

Both times I fervently wished for an epidural just after it was too late to have one

Both were thankfully straight forward.

My 2nd followed the trend of active labour being quicker and easier - I was in the pool this time so maybe that helped?

Interestingly the whole thing from first twinges of contractions to baby being born was longer then my 1st.

16 hours then 8 so twice the speed! Mind you the second was an induction so that might've played a part.