2nd labours 'easier'?

[mbear]

Faster and more intense.....but i felt like i knew what i was doing a bit more than the first. I concentrated on my breathing more etc etc. 2 hr labour and no tears....happy with that !!
Good luck !

[BekZ]

My first labour was 10 hours with 2 hours of pushing. I never felt the urge to push with this labour so I was really exhausted at the end. Second labour was 3 hours and very intense. I did not feel incontrol with my second labour because the pain was so intense and DD2 was out with 2 pushes. A bit too quick for my liking..BTW the middy broke my waters and that is when I lost control. Next time I will wait to see if my waters break and I won't be in such a hurry.

Goodluck

[Freya]

Faster but way easier imo. My first was 3hrs but I pushed for 45min and felt very out of it. My second was only 90min with 6 pushes before he was out, I felt much more in control and calm about the whole process and enjoyed it more. I actually remember my second birth in clear detail unlike my first.

[Visitor8]

I will say not always.

1st, induced after waters broke, 47.5 hours, epi plus 3 blocks so I couldn't move at all, 1 hour of pushing and talk of a csection, bad tear (stitching for 1.5 hours) and massive blood loss almost needing transfusion. 8lbs 4oz and 37cm head. He was in nicu.

2nd 16 hours natural labour, epi which worked wonders, pushing for 20 minutes, born 9lbs 5oz 37.5cm head and no stitches (wanted to leave straight away, was fine!).

3rd 6.5 hours, serious tearing, massive blood loss, in labour ward for 6 hours after with epi incase I needed surgery or transfusion, 11pd and 39cm head. Was so sore after.

So yes and no, 2nd was the breeze, he was also posterior but was by far my best labour. Last was almost on par with the first.

[2CheekyMonkeys]

wow! i cant believe how many of you have had quite quick labours. just my pushing stage went for 3 hours. :-)

[Willow]

My second was much, much faster - from 72 hours for first labour (probably 24hrs of 'active' labour, but trust me, the whole three days weren't much fun!!) to 5 hours for my second labour. But I can't say honestly that it was 'better'. It was MUCH more painful and intense than my first labour. I didn't enjoy it nearly as much, it was fast and furious and I felt like I only just had control of the pain (I don't do drugs in labour, they scare me!). To my horror I pulled out all the classics 'just get it out of me!!', 'I'm NEVER doing that again' etc etc etc.

After he was delivered, I lay on the bed shaking for an hour, the after pains were horrendous and I didn't feel well enough to feed him for at least 30 mins after he was born.

[Toomanytoomany]

After he was delivered, I lay on the bed shaking for an hour, the after pains were horrendous and I didn't feel well enough to feed him for at least 30 mins after he was born.

Yes, fast labours can be incredibly intense, can't they? I much preferred the few more hours of the gentle lead up. I was in shock after dd3 was born - while the labour itself was very easy and about five hours, the second stage was incredibly fast, and I didn't push, one minute I was at 8cm and then the next she sort of shot out and it was quite shocking. I wasn't at all prepared. And the fast and furious labour with #4 was quite difficult to cope with - it was my shortest labour but I was on the verge of asking for something to help with the pain.

And no-one prepares you for afterpains!!! They *DO* get worse with every baby - with #4 I needed morphine post natally, and I'm dreading what it's going to be like after #6.

[hj1981]

i really hope my 2nd labour when the time comes is longer!

[Trac73]

Both my babies have been induced for various reasons but my 2nd bub was quicker for sure.
Bub #1 - She was a couple of lots of gel and then when labour started she entered the world in 2hours and 20 mins from the start to finish, including my waters breaking. I had 2nd degree tear adn she was 7pd 12oz
Bub#2 - He was a couple of lots of gel over 31 hour period and then whe labour started he entered the world in 1 hour and 10 mins from start to finish, including my waters breaking. I had second degree tear and he was 8pd 11oz
My 1st bubs birth was alot calmer than 2nd bubs birth as his was alot more traumatic, as i felt he was stuck when pushing and then he wasn't breathing when he arrived (not nice). Miust admit that i recovered alot quicker with 2nd bub from after the birth toi the stiches.
Really want to go back for #3 but scared about the birth and how quick it could be and i don't want to have bub not breathe again.

Take Care and Remember that each birth/labour is different and just go with it and that every contraction is a step closer to meeting your precious bundle. Goodluck