Getting in the right frame of mind for my second labour

[beckoes]

DDs labour and birth was not really how i had planned (panic, epidural, lots of machines/intervention, big bleed after-had to go to theatre, in hospital for days)

Im really keen to do what i can to make this second labour different and more possitive, whatever that might entail.

I obviously want to avoid the bleeding i had last time, ive stopped taking the fish oil tablets i was taking last time as i found out they are blood thinners and could have increased the bleeding. I AM going to do all i can to avoid an epidural, my GP suggested that as the epi slowed things right down at the end of the labour that could have increased the chance of bleeding due to stress. Also have added 'no intervention with third stage' in to my birth plan as last time the midwife pulled the cord to help the placenta out and i didnt really want that!

Im really keen to leave hospital as soon as i can this time, i had to stay becasue of the epi and bleed last time and want to get home to DD1 asap this time, and il be happier at home!

I want to be able to say NO to things during labour and have a clearer focus on whats going on, i was so panicked last time everything just blured into one and i just ended up in such a mess, i had no idea what was going on and i just agreed to what ever the midwife/doc wanted!

Id love to hear some methods people have used to achieve a more possitive second labour.

[Party-of-five]

this time you have more of an idea of whats going on so you might find you are stronger this time around, I didnt have the same labour as you the first time but going in the second time I was alot more confident in what my body could do and what I wanted to do.

I dont have lots of helpful methods maybe you could have a doula this time if you didnt the first?

[onthefly]

I would work to address the fear/panic first. Definitely look at your support people - maybe get a doula or your own midwife, someone who's calm and collected and there just for you. They can help you to refocus during labour, advocate for you and remind you of what you're aiming for. Also maybe consider different preparation - like relaxation, meditation, or whatever suits you as a method to relax and de-panic.
And talk about last time. About how you felt and why and what happened and so on.
These things should also help you to avoid an epidural also.

[Daydream Believer]

To achieve a positive second labour I pretty much did everything to avoid it being like my first. I looked at why it was so bad & how it became that way.

Second time round I went to a birth center (still in a hospital though), had a waterbirth, had a Doula, told DF what I wanted him to do before-hand so he knew exactly what to do during, and said NO to everything I didn't want