I know most threads are about whether or not the second labour is quicker (and it usually tends to be quicker in most cases) but my question is whether it was easier for you.
As in - did you think it was easier with the baby moving down towards the exit because the path has already been paved (so to speak) by an earlier bub?
Was the pushing stage shorter because your body knew what it was to do?
Did you deal with the contraction pain better because you knew there was an end in sight whereas with the first one, you didn't know what was going to happen, if it was going to get more painful etc?
Did you remember positions from the first labour that didn't help, or did you go blank whilst dealing with contractions?
My 2nd labour was faster and harder than the 1st but I knew what to expect so I was much more relaxed which really helped me cope much better than I did with my 1st.
I think my subsequent labours were easier not because they hurt less but because I'd BTDT and knew what to expect. The fear of the unknown was gone.
My DS2 and DS3 were both induced labours and almost totally identical. 2.5 hours with 9 min and 3 min pushing stages respectively. I felt with DS3 I did deal with the contraction pain a bit better and the main reason is that I knew I could do it and I knew it would end. I was so much calmer, silent almost. I tend to like to lie down on my back to give birth (weird I know) so I knew that's how I felt most comfortable and didn't try a million positions like I did with DS2.
I also felt as if my body knew what to do also. I really just let my body take over.
My best advice is to quiet the mind and the body will do all the work.
All in all I think it was a much calmer, experience.
Yes it was easier coz I knew more about my body and I knew the second time around that I could trust it.....Yes, I knew what to expect and that the end was in sight....Yes, I handled the pain better coz I'd read so much on BB that I was better informed. I remembered the position for DS's birth was comfy so I went back to the same for DD. I loved my second labour!
I can only tell you what my midwife told me at the time of DS' birth - yes it should be easier next time. This is something I was worried about after DS' 22 hour labour and 2 hours of pushing with no urge to push! Your body has done it before and as you said, the path has been paved.
Ha Mel I was going to ask the same question but you put it much better.
I was going to say something like did anyone have an OK first labour but the second one was awful.... cause mine wasn't so bad despite being induced with ARM and synto and flat on my back on monitors but I am still worried this time might be a nightmare.
I def think the 2nd was easier in the sense that i realised if i could get through DD1's labour alone i could do anything.
I realised i knew my body better than i thought and i was just going to go with the flow and do what i thought was right.
Both my girls were fast labors so it was more about preparing myself mentally.
DD2's contractions didn't seem as bad and didn't progress as far as DD1's, maybe that was because i was more aware this time.
My second was much easier but much faster... I didn't really have time to freak out, apart from freaking out that it was going so fast!
I reckon the contractions hit me faster and harder... They were more painful, as I got to second stage in about 5hrs as opposed to my first labour, which first stage lasted like 24hrs or so. So my body did the same amount of work (dilating) in about one sixth of the time, ITMS?
The pushing was heaps easier second time round - even though DS was close to 11lbs/5kg, he slipped on out in three pushes, I reckon in part because my body knew what it was doing!
So yeah, I do agree with the "been there, done that" mentality!
My recovery was also heaps quicker second time round... Episiotomy first time, natural tear second.
Yes, significanty so. Pg was harder but labour and birth were easier.
Osteo throughout pg for pelvic alignment and pain mgmt, antenatal aqua classes with physio, accucpunture from 34 weeks
Calmbirth.
All of these helped in some way.
Haven't read replies but for me it was definitely easier!
I knew more of what was going on so was more in control.I pushed for about a quarter of the time, although it wasn't even really pushing.
I also didn't need stitches second time around so,I guess you could say my first caved the way!
Im thinking as long as this bub is not posterior, unlike DD was, then it should be easier for me! My labour was only 9.5 hr all up but 2hrs of that was pushing!! : o
Hoping for a shorter pushing stage this time around : pray:
Yes... and no.
Pain of contractions was no less intense, but easier to handle because I knew how great it would feel when they ended (and I knew it was the last time I was going to do it, LOL!).
2nd stage much quicker and yes, easier (Natty - 1hr 17mins, Phoebe - 12mins) BUT I still felt like I was going to pass out with P, it just didn't scare me as much so I kept going. AND the crowning burn was more painful with P, even though her head was smaller.
Essentially, it was still bloody hard. But it was still so DAMN worth it.
You're going to be GREAT!!!
ETA: cx were actually shorter in duration so that was certainly easier.
My second labour was definately harder than my first. In saying that however i coped with the pain of the contractions alot better than the first time. I only started using gas at about 7 centimeters whilst with DS1 i had already had the epidural by that stage. I was labouring in the bath with DS2 which helped immensely. I had alot of scary complications with DS2 which made the end of the labour really scary and difficult so that made me feel really out of control and increased my fear. If everything had gone as smoothly as the beginning of my labour i would definately have said that my labour with DS2 was easier.
For me pushing with DS2 was worse than with DS1, BUT I was in the bath with DS2 and trying to keep under water to keep warm and not in a good positon for pushing. I think if the MW had said earlier try changing position (or if I'd had a doula) my pushing stage would have been shorter and less painful.
I think it does get easier the more babies you have, just because you know what to expect. Well, the mental part of it gets a little easier, but the physical part I think depends on bubs. My 4th labour was actually my hardest and most painful just because Jack was posterior and I had never had a posterior labour before so didn't know what to expect.
in my experience no! ds1, i was in labour all up about 18 hours, because it was my first, they were asking me if my water had broken and if id had a show, i had no idea what it was ment to be like, so constantly replyed i dont know, because we lived an hour drive from the hospital, i was told to wait untill i was ready to come in. the contractions built up slowly and gradualy, i was going threw the young womens in clayton, they were very relaxed and calmly explained everything to me made sure i had enough gas and was comfortable. i was in the hospital for 6 hours befor he arrived (also my first ever hospital trip since i was 5!
ds2, i didnt find easyer at all!! my waters broke at 6:30 am, rang the hospital, this time we were 20 mins away from them(diffrent hospital) they realy wanted me to go in, as i didnt have contractions, i felt i was prety much ok, so they advised me the minute they start to go in and be checked out, didnt have contractions all day, witch was good as i HAD a roast i NEEDED to cook and eat that night!! by the time i got the first contraction, it was 7 pm, as it was 3 weeks befor my due date, i packed my hospital bags while dinner was on. at the hospital they were very ****ed off with me, going on about this and that, making me feel like a bad mother, my contractions still wernt strong, so they whacked me on a drip, a old lady was trying to force me to go to the toilet every 5 minutes, told me once my contractions started i was not to yell or push untill SHE instructed me to, to witch i told her to go to hell. once they did start, they uped the drip so much that there was no room to recoup after each one, the gas was on the lowes possible setting, the last 2 hours were a blurr, but he was rushed out so fast, he was breathing realy fast from the stress and they immediatly put him in icu as he most likely has breathing problems, 5 hours later he was brought to mke in the ward, with big appologies, all that was wrong was he needed to catch his breath, he was fine by the time he arrived in icu (or whatever it is they call the babies one) andwas twice the size of the other babies up there.
dd was only 3 hours, but much worse!! waters broke, by the time mum rocked up with the car, she had to call the ambulance, the contractions started and were nit even 3 mins apart, within half hour she was born just making it from the couch to the ambulance, only pain relife was a hot water bottle and the green stick from the ambo. after pains with her were realy bad. had shocking back pain with all 3.
for some silly reason im going back a 4th time......
I found the whole labour experience to be quicker and I knew what to expect......first time round I had the burning crowning experience which was painful, second time there was none of that!! Overall it was painful but very quick so it felt no where near as bad as the first labour (first labour 6.5 hours, second labour 1.5 hours) Both my labours were drug free so I certainly can vouch for the pain ;-)
Was your second labour easier?
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that I was better informed. I remembered the position for DS's birth was comfy so I went back to the same for DD. I loved my second labour!
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