Second Births

[TeniBear]

They strapped you to a bed??? Is that even allowed?

Oh, well, I say "strapped". Really it was more of a "we're going to monitor the baby from now until you give birth, oh and by the way don't move a muscle because the monitor slips and loses the heartbeat when you do that", then telling me off when I inevitably moved. That midwife isn't exactly my favourite person I may as well have been strapped down

[Cricket]

What are the chances of having a relatively hard and fast labour with your first and then a long and slow labour second time around? What is your experience?

My first and second births were both 7 hours from first contraction to birth. My first was hard, and relatively fast for a first baby. It was overwhelming for me, even though everything went beautifully. My second birth was the same length, as I said, but much less overwhelming. I felt much more in control, and I knew what to expect, and that I could do it. I knew some coping techniques from what had helped last time, though I wouldn't say I was well-educated about alternative pain-relief.

My third and subsequent births were much shorter - 2-3 hr of active labour.

All the best for a lovely birth when the day arrives!

[~Gee_Whizzy~]

My 1st labour (gel only induction) was 7 hours from when i rolled over in the hospital bed and my waters literally popped!

2nd labour i was already 3cm dilated from a previous s&s so i requested an AROM and labour was 5 hrs from start to finish

[RainbowRiver]

My labours were pretty good:

#1 - 10.5 hours, steady paced
#2 - 6 hours, steady paced
#3 - 3.5 hours, sudden but the easiest labour I had
#4 - 4.5 hours, whilst not long it was painful and my hardest to cope labour

[HotI]

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[Cassius2]

The norm is for second births to go a bit quicker and/or be more straightforward.

I guess in your case, it is best to prepare for a fast birth and what that entails (ie if you are planning on having baby at home or in hospital how do you prepare for a fast arrival etc). Knowledge is key and you have BTDT with hard and fast birth and I would recommend that you embrace that process and look into some techniques that can help you and your birth support during that (albeit short!) time to still allow you a chance to process the birth as it is happening and allow for a smooth transition. the thing i found with fast births is that they can be very intense and all of a sudden there is a baby and the chance to reflect on the birth and what it represents can easily be lost in the hurry ITMS.

my first birth was a 9 hour labour (i like to, in regards to my subsequent births lol) refer to it as my 'marathon' hahaha. the second birth was 1.5 hours and the third was 1.50 (just under 2 hours...so a bit slower). For me, the key to preparing was calmbirth. the second time i had no idea that things would go so quick but the calmbirth did really help to keep me focused despite the speed and allow me a chance to relax of sorts and be 'present'. but i still felt a bit ripped off in terms of it all being over before it started lol.

but the calmbirth really came into its own in the third birth. as i knew that the likelihood would be another quick number and i really wanted to acknowledge the birth and be ready to expect a quick one. i feel that it really really helped and i didnt get the feeling that it went too fast or that it happened without me IYKWIM.

[YoYo]

First was 9 hours from start of synto drip to birth. Ouch.

Second induced with gel, which worked and labour was 4 hours from first contractions to birth. She flew out.

Now to see how the third goes.

[<3 Mumofthreetobe <3]

My DD was a 10hr 45min labour (4 days over). My DS was 3hrs 10mins (1 day over). I dread what our #3 will be!

[MamaItalia]

All my labors have been long, but intensity has been different. My second birth was my least intense (all unmedicated births)