My first labour was horrible from waters breaking 18 and 3/4 hours about 30 hours all up but my second was just under 4 hours from first twinge to placenta out. My girlfriend was just under 4 hours for her first and 1hour 55 minutes for her second 6 weeks ago. So based on that I'd say yes but everyones different!
I'm praying that the 3rd ones quicker again! LOL
Snoopea
Mine definatly was quicker, my first labout was 16 hours, my second was 5 hours from first contraction to birth. As for easier, I am not sure that Labour and Easy go in the same sentence well together, however I coped much better, stayed upright and mobile for most of it and delievered on my knees on the bed, as apposed to having an epi, and being on my back in stirrups for the delievery.
I like you am hoping for a shorter labour this time round. First time was 12 hours and through the night so im desperately hoping for a day labour (will be easier to get into the hospital as well)
Sister #1 had a 7 hrs labour followed by a 3 hr labour
Sister #2 had a 23hr labour followed by a 4 hr labour.
Sister #3 had 2 emergency C-sections both labours lasted over 24hrs but from memory the 2nd one was longer.
So stats are def in our favour (the birth canal has already been stretched, lol)
It's so interesting isn't it, and such a relief to know it won't last as long lol I told dh that if all labours were say about an hour long we would probably have ten kids lol
Labour was easier first time but had problems (vac extraction) but 2nd time was more ouchy but unassisted and i loved it 100 times more, but longer recovery stitches wise.
Brianna, of course there are no guarantees. But generally speaking it will be quicker and easier as you have done it before, your body knows what to do. And a cervix which has dilated before can dilate again more easily.
However, I think the main reason why my second labour was so much better, was because of what I learnt from my first one. I wasn't prepared enough, I didn't know enough. I made a poor decision (to have an epidural) because of what I didn't know. And that led to the cascade of interventions that resulted in a tear and episiotomy, and some other side effects which I attribute to pushing under the effects of an epidural and a forceps delivery and will have to live with forever. Because of that, I did a lot of reading and preparation second time round. I read New Active Birth and was able to labour in a relatively comfortable position, which enhanced labour, and contributed to a 3 hour labour and "easy" complication free delivery.
So I think that the odds are certainly with you that it will be easier. But you can put the odds even more in your favour with what you do before then.
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