Clueless for birth of 2nd baby after induction 1st time - help!!

[AnybodyHomeMcFly]

I'm 36 weeks with second baby. DS was induced at 37 weeks because I developed obstetric cholestasis.

It was a very medicalised birth because of that (epidural, full monitoring, doctor led delivery, forceps, episiotomy) - and although I had initially wanted a more natural birth, I was happy with what happened because it was safest for DS and me.

I was told there was a 90% chance of the same prob reoccuring this time round so have been expecting another induction and consequently haven't been to any refresher ante natal courses or anything.

However, the good news is that so far all blood tests have come back normal. But that means I have to start over with a birth plan.

I have no idea how to go about it because I've experienced the pain of labour but that was induction labour and came on very quickly (6hrs start to finish). Has anyone else been induced first time and had a spontaneous birth second time? Any advice? Help!!

I had an induced first labour with all the features you describe. Only difference was it took 36 hours.

DD2 was born after a spontaneous labour eleven weeks ago. I thought I would try for a more natural birth this time. I was convinced I wouldn't need an epidural as my body would be ready and contractions would not be forced. I thought this would mean I could cope better with the pain. In the event I was shocked to find the pain was just as bad so I had another epi. Other than that it was a much more positive experience - less stressed, much easier to push so no forceps, one midwife only, no doctors...

Good luck!

I had an induced labour with DS1 at 42 weeks - was 8 hours in total. Full monitoring in labour ward - managed without epidural for first 4 hours but then caved into one when midwives changed shift and got a horrid one who told me an induction is 10xs more painful than a normal labour and about to get much worse - and tore really badly. Hd no idea what to expect with second labour of DS2 last month - was expecting to go over but hoping for a natural birth (and read Childbirth without fear to understand the physiology of labour and did Hypnobirthing course to help me distance this birth from last one and practiced the relaxation and affirmations exercises to help with this) but went into spontaneous labour at 38+6 with DS2 and had a lovely birth. Waters went at 5.30pm, contractions kicked in at 6.30pm, gave birth in birth centre in pool just after 9.40 and had physiological 3rd stage about 45 minutes later. The pain was actually manageable with breathing and vocalising - just needed the water for getting through transition (found it v grounding) and to help with stretching for birth (though had another 2nd degree tear didnt even feel it and have healed so much quicker this time round). Hope this helps.

Good luck!

Thanks artichokes and dinky for sharing both of those. I feel as though I haven't got time to prepare myself for natural birth this time - don't know the first thing about breathing and panting and all that... but then I suppose I do have up to four weeks to go.

I had planned water birth in the birth centre the first time round pre-illness so maybe I will get in touch with them for a discussion.

Feel a bit panicky about it all although really should be pleased (and am pleased) about not being ill this time.

I wouldn't worry about preparation. You have already been through labour, alebit assisted. My first was induced by hooking me up to syntocin 41 hours after PROM at 39 weeks. After 5 hours without any pain relief, when I was told I was 0.5cm dilated at 2.30am, I realised I had to have the mobile epidural they were offering me to rest and get through the night. After 16 hours, my DS was finally born by ventouse. My second was completely spontaneous and a 5 hour labour without any drugs. I arrived at hospital fully dilated. My third was also spontaneous and a 2 hour labour without drugs. What I did do each time was plenty of perineal massage to ease the crowining sensation and the only time I tore was when I was induced, which is not surprising after what happened to me. So if you can do it I would recommend massage. And then trust in your body and listen to the midwives who will tell you what to do and when! Good luck and I hope you stay in good health. You will be fine.

Good idea about massage, I did do that first time round but I needed the episiotomy for them to use the forceps (I think, was a bit out of it) and it was all so quick I didn't get a chance to stretch.

I was induced first time and then had two spontaneous labours with the next babies.

It did take me about 4 hours to realise I was in labour with dd2 - kept blaming my stomach ache on last night's pizza - seemingly forgetting that I was 41 weeks!

I found 'natural' labour much easier to cope with actually. Your body gets a break between contractions that you don't get with induced labours and basically eases you in to it. Just keep as mobile as you can - it will move things along quicker and you'll probably be more comfortable too.

Arf about not realising - that will prob be me too!

The pain of a second labour is completely different to that of a first anyway (although I had two uncomplicated births) I will say that second time is FAR easier.

Contractions dont start off really bad - they just get to that, getting stronger each time. I havent any medical evidence, but from the people I have talked to those who have had inductions have tended to have needed other interventions such as epesiotomy, ventouse etc..., so hopefully for you, if you go naturally it will be a much more pleasant experience for you.

Also, remember that your body was designed for this. It will do what it needs to do and you have to try and trust it to do that. As regards to breathing and panting, the slower you breathe and the deeper breaths you take the better during contractions - the panting bit doesn't come until the head crowns, by panting it stops you from pushing so much and allows the head to move out slowly, hence, reducing your risk of tearing, by stretching everything slowly. But don't worry, you midwife will be able to guide you on this anyway.

hope all goes as planned for you - plus, if you dont want a birth plan, you dont have to - it can be as long or as short as you want. It could be something as simple as - no pain relief or all pain relief
I did a really long winded birth plan for my ffirst, but didnt even bother with my second - my midwife went through with me what i wanted or didn't want and made a note of that in my maternity notes. I had a hhomebirth with G+A and all went superbly!

good luck

Just wanted to add...
I've had 2 induced labours but both were very different.
My first induction sounds similar to yours, fast heavy contractions, constant monitoring, epidural I didnt want, AROM, episiotomy, forceps...v. scary ds had prolapsed cord, nearly went to c.section, room full of drs.
2nd time around (4 months ago) I REALLY didn't an induction, but it seems my body doesnt do labour willingly...despite a second induction the labour was SO DIFFERENT. Was mobile for much longer, contractions less severe, less frequent but more effective, my waters broke 'naturally' (i'm oddly proud of this ), I had an epidural, but it was more about my choice, anaesthetist was great, kept the dose as low as poss and agreed to turn it off for the last hour so I could push. I delivered without assistance, only had a slight graze, and due to epidural being off for so long was mobile within an hour of birth...only downside to this was I could feel the obgyn stiching me and required local (had a revision as was such a mess from delivery 1)
What I'm trying to say is whilst I hope you avoid a 2nd induction, if you do need one it may not be like the first.
Good luck and congrats in advance

I was induced with dd as I was overdue. It was horrible really, lots of intervention, epidural, flat on back and about 2 hours pushing.
I think one thing to bear in mind is that purely by virtue of being your second birth it should be easier anyway With ds I spent the whole pregnancy worrying as I'd managed to convince myself that I'd have to be induced again (I felt cheated out of that mad rush to hospital in labour. WHat was I thinking?!) and ds did go a week overdue so I was pretty much resigned to it. He was back to back as well, which dd had been, expect she didn't turn in labour and was born the 'wrong' way up - hence the difficulty pushing.
With ds I had a fab midwife which I think makes all the difference. I went into labour very suddenly, my waters went after a bath, the contractions were immediately very strong and close together and he was born after 3.5 hours and 8 minutes of pushing. It was an amazing experience, so different to dd's birth. I think the thing that helped was staying upright, without a doubt. I spent labour leaning over a very high bed, and I got into a supported squat on a birth ball for the pushing. Ds turned with no problem. I reached a point, which in hindsight was probably transition, where I felt so tired I just wanted to lie down but I'm glad I was talked out of it. I used gas and air but it made me feel very spaced out without actually killing the pain.
I had a brillaint friend as well as dp there, and she talked to me in the spaces between contractions, reassuring me and telling me I was doing briliantly. I couldn't bear people to talk when I was having a contraction, and they picked up on that very quickly. I also had dp rub the small of my back quite hard during a contraction which helped. As did having a drink with a straw- no way would I have been able to drink from a bottle. I think it's important to stay positive as well. I read Ina May Gaskin throughout ds's pregnancy and by the time labour came I was so confident in my ability to give birth, and the things I read really did help when I was in labour. Good luck

Thanks umsami that does sound better. My waters went in the bath 1st time too. I had held out against ARM and had battled on with prostin for 10 days befor it finally worked (this was cos i didn't have a proper diagnosis of my condition at the time) Looking back it was sooo stressful.
Littlelamb that's a great birth story, I'm in tears just daring to hope I could have anything like that second time round. I know that safe baby safe mother is the top priority but it would be so great to have a GOOD birth!