First labour vs second

[Yellowdaff25]

Interested to know how your first labour compared to your second? Was it quicker/easier?

With my first from first early contractions to actual birth was about 12 hours. In the end baby was becoming distressed and things had stopped progressing and he was delivered by forceps.

Im hoping my second will be quicker and easier as I know often it is but I am also not opposed to opting for a c section this time (I know it’s not an easier option at all) but my first was so distressing towards the end I’m panicking already about it😢

Any experiences with your second labours and/or c section stories welcome xx

My first labour went on for days, baby got distressed and was a ventouse birth. I had a retained placenta and ended up in surgery.

second birth was was straightforward. At home, shoulder distocia but quickly remedied. 10lb infant.

3rd birth even more straightforward, again at home.

I’m a weak post giving birth to my second so very fresh in my mind!

My first was 23 hours long, went straight into hospital as my waters broke before contractions started, they thought there was too much blood so kept me in. After 6 hours or so I was six cm dilated and had an epidural which slowed my contractions right down so in the end they had to manually break my waters and get him out otherwise I would’ve needed a c section as his heart rate was slowing down. So 23 hours from start to finish and my recovery was a good six weeks after, I had an episiotomy and also second degree tears so struggled a lot.

My second last Saturday (btw I have written a thread on this if you want more detail!), was a planned home birth, my contractions started at 2.30 am and an hour later I called the midwife out. She left around 6.30am saying I had a long way to go, however my contractions ramped up at 7/7.30 shortly before my waters broke and and my little girl was delivered at 8am by my partner as the midwife didn’t make it in time! Physically I’m feeling absolutely fine now and my girl was over a lb bigger than my boy. Birthed her on two paracetamol and a prayer 😂 but was a million times more easy to manage as I knew what to expect. So in summary, second time was a million times quicker, easier and more wonderful!

Edited to add: my first was also delivered via forceps! Really awful experience all in all. I really hope your second is much better too OP!

12 hours from start to finish is quite quick for a first I believe (I think I was about 10 hours from first signs and told that was quick). My second was super speedy fast. Waters broke at midnight and by 1.50am I was holding her in my arms....would have been better with a home birth really! Best of luck with it all. Theres your first born to factor in to it too and who looks after them to add into the stress

Following! My first was also a forceps deliverh, so for my second I am thinking of planned c section.

As a midwife I reckon 95% of second babies are easier. The ones that aren't are usually huge or malpositioned. It is rare to have an assisted delivery with a 2nd baby, especially if spontaneous labour, usually due to fetal distress if it happens.

With your first you cervix has never opened and nothing that size has ever been in your vagina so it is bound to take time. 2nd time your body remembers what to do.

The amount of 2nd babies I have assisted to birth outside the ward of women who haven't made it in with their 2nd. Assisted a birth in the lift the other day and her 1st birth sounded like yours.

I hope it goes well for you. Have a look at the miles circuit as this can get baby in a more optimum position and aligned in the pelvis and help it be quicker.

My first labour was an induction, lasted around 24 hours, but only really active labour for the last 8 or so. Second labour was about four hours, extremely fast birth, in that she was almost born in a hospital toilet. But she was a VERY small baby.

OP, first birth was the most painful thing that has ever happened to me in my life (and I’ve had gallstones and kidney stones). I really had to talk myself into getting pregnant for a second time - and it was a completely different and much more positive experience.

Yes, so much easier! Traumatic birth with my first. Induced as they thought the sack had ruptured (it hadn’t). Epidural. Eventually delivered in theatre with forceps. 2 night stay in hospital.

DC2 came 4hrs after getting to hospital with just gas and air. Fed pretty much instantly and we were home 2 hrs later! Not what I was expecting after the first time so totally wonderful!

Good luck OP.

Thank you all so much for your detailed replies, they are very helpful and also providing some much needed reassurance! x

So glad I found this thread! My first born sounds similar to yours OP and I’m due my second next
month and have been so worried about things going horribly again. But this has reassured me that there’s a good chance this birth will be a much nicer experience.

Just gave birth to my second 5 days ago!

1st labour - 27 hours total. 3 hours pushing, episiotomy, 2nd degree tear. Only gas & air

2nd labour - 8 hours total, 20mins pushing, 2 tears, again gas and air and birthed in birthing pool. Very intense but better outcome than first time!

good luck x

First birth from first contractions to birth was 34 hours. 2.5 hours pushing.
Second birth around 3 hours! 10 minutes pushing.

Sorry to randomly jump on your reply. Out of curiosity, from your experience as a midwife, do many ladies who have a 3rd degree tear on their first birth go on to have a straight forward 2nd?

I found my labour notes for my second baby, recently. It said ‘Duration of labour: 3.54’ (3 minutes 54 seconds). It was actually a bit longer than that (10 minutes in the hospital plus another 10 minutes at home).

So, yes, second was pretty fast - although I’d probably been in labour all day without realising or feeling it too much.

First baby was 8 hours 27 minutes.