if you had a LOOONNNNGGG first labour, how was your second?

[Maruschke]

Trying to prepare my head space to get this baby out. But I really really don't want another long drawn out multi day drama. Anyone got any good news?

[*Efjay*]

Sorry, my second was longer. BUT was also posterior.

[Maruschke]

DD1 was posterior too. Ouch!

[Catastrophic]

1st baby took FOREVER! i swear she was never going to come out...

2nd baby was 6 hours - and oh so fantastic!

[leesha]

Second baby was only 1.5hrs and once waters had broken two pushes and she was out! This third baby however is proving more troublesome. Prelabour for three days now stopping and starting is doing my head in :-(

[Maruschke]

Second baby was only 1.5hrs and once waters had broken two pushes and she was out! This third baby however is proving more troublesome. Prelabour for three days now stopping and starting is doing my head in :-(

How frustrating! But exciting at the same time. DD1 is a mothers day baby .

[Santosha]

First baby - 24 hours with the latter 12 quite awful and ended in lots of intervention

Second baby - 1.5 hours (about 4 hours of easy pre-labour) and a brilliant, beautiful, empowering birth. Good news enough?!

[Maruschke]

First baby - 24 hours with the latter 12 quite awful and ended in lots of intervention

Second baby - 1.5 hours (about 4 hours of easy pre-labour) and a brilliant, beautiful, empowering birth. Good news enough?!

Yes

DD1 was 54 hours including all the pre labour, but more than 24 of established. It was mentally so exhausting. I'd take your second labour any day!

[jackrose]

I have good news for you Maruschke
First baby, very very long and drawn out.
Second, shockingly quick!
48hrs vs 6hrs - from first contraction to birth.

I think it had a lot to do with having birthed before - body knowing what to do, hormone pathways already set up etc, but also, I was really excited about the second birth, really ready and looking forward to it. I think that the major difference in my case was mindset, environment and support. For my first, all went well at home but when I went into hospital, after a terrible drive there and a few 'incidents' with staff at the hospital I swear my cervix closed up and decided not to open again. For my second, I stayed home, never had to get in a car, called for the people I wanted there and in the end it all just happened. In fact, I was pushing for more of the labour than anything. My cervix obviously felt very comfortable that time

[OceanPrincess]

40hrs versus 6hrs and 8lbs versus almost 11 - DS just barreled his way out! But what a great birth it was!

I was a mothers day baby too!

[Maruschke]

40hrs versus 6hrs and 8lbs versus almost 11 - DS just barreled his way out! But what a great birth it was!

I was a mothers day baby too!

OP, were you induced for #2? Because that is a possibility!

[ummAadam]

first was about 66 hours, posterior and really painful. natural birth. DS was 4 kgs.

second was 8 hours from start to finish and dare I say it, rather easy. DD was 3.3 kgs.

third was also 8 hours from start to finish but more painful, especially the last couple minutes of pushing. DS was 4.3 kgs!

[HotI]

My first was only around 12 hours established labour (so not really long), but my 2nd was only around 2 hours of full on labour. He was also a lot bigger (almost 11lb v 8lb 4). DS was just in an awesome position, and i was able to move around alot more. My first, DD, was born posterior.

At the start of DSs labour, i struggled because i thought 'i can't do this for another 27 hours' because i thought i would have a long labour (as i had syntocinon with my first), but when i realised that things were going a lot quicker i was able to focus and cope alot better.

[~Trish~]

I had a 37 hour first labour (it was horrific). My second was much less (maybe 15 hours including pre-labour?). My third labour was only 4 1/2 hours and awesome. I really think my third labour was so much quicker because I saw just the right chiropractor throughout pregnancy (I have an unstable pelvis) and she made sure my pelvis was in the optimal position for labour. My third labour was also a pain-free calm birth and I was very active which also helped speed things along .

[Maruschke]

My first was only around 12 hours established labour (so not really long), but my 2nd was only around 2 hours of full on labour. He was also a lot bigger (almost 11lb v 8lb 4). DS was just in an awesome position, and i was able to move around alot more. My first, DD, was born posterior.

At the start of DSs labour, i struggled because i thought 'i can't do this for another 27 hours' because i thought i would have a long labour (as i had syntocinon with my first), but when i realised that things were going a lot quicker i was able to focus and cope alot better.

Thanks, that is exactly what I want to happen.

[Olive]

First was 36 hours, was induced 24 hours after waters broke, I'm convinced DD was posterior, horrendous birth
Second was 18 hours, yes long but I didn't want a fast one, I wanted to enjoy every moment of it (yes I'm weird) great drug free birth, I got to deliver her myself!!

[LuluHB]

I think I've shared mine with you in the past, but just in case I'll say again because its a positive one for you.

First was 34 hours of posterior induction. Second was lots of prelabour over a period of weeks, but actual established labour was 20 minutes My hind waters had broken 2 hours before, but after the initial trickle there was nothing so I honestly thought it was still just prelabour. Then my forewaters broke when I was 3cm and it was then an incredibly intense 20 minutes until DD2 was on my chest, but it beat the hell out of 34 hours.

[jacklicky]

37 hrs for DD to arrive.

This one was listed as 2 1/2hrs active labour (although I would say closer to 5).