2nd labours 'easier'?

just wondering if it is generally true that second labours and births are quicker and 'easier' than the first? i'm starting to get nervous.........:o

In my experience, YES, totally.

First labour 22 hours, gas, pethidine, epi, 2 hours pushing, forceps, 2nd degree tear, 3.83kg (8lb 7oz) DS

Second labour 11 hours, only the last hour intense, no pain relief at all except for the shower, 10 mins pushing, 3 little stitches, 4.27kg (9lb 6.5oz) DD. Left hospital when DD was 2 days old, felt so good.

I felt like Wonder Woman! I was very motivated to avoid the "cascade of intervention" again but after labouring nice and gently all day, got to the hospital that afternoon expecting to be hours yet based on how I was feeling and last time and I was cuddling DD 2 hours later. Did very little in the way of preparation, just read New Active Birth and the "why we feel pain in labour" thread here on BB.

my second was heaps quicker - DD#1 was 15hrs, DD#2 was only 4hrs!
All the best :)

After a fairly quick first birth, my 2nd was actually harder....Mainly because I was silly enough to expect the great treatment I got for the first one.
This time I was left alone to labour (had sis and Dp there though), and only given the briefest of checks by the overworked midwife who was totally convinced I had 6 hours to go. She did not change her mind until DS came shooting out 15 mins after she said that. It was only slightly longer, but not 'harder' iykwim?

I just should have been more "on the ball'....then I found Belly Belly and had a perfect 3rd birth.

In long, my 2nd was only interrupted because of a stupid middy and they still exist!

mine were both exactly the same length. lol
2 hrs established labours for both!

I thought the second one would be different so left it late to go to the hospital and bub was born at home :P

I was more relaxed though with the fast labour this time, not even worried that DS would be born in the bedroom.
I knew how to push this time and was not worried about the pain as i knew how it felt if that made sense

Mine was quicker. I'm not sure about easier, but it was better. I enjoyed it more.

My second labour was a lot quicker but I had prelabour for a few days before it which I didn't have the first time around. Totally different experience.

I have to say that it was a lot easier! Especially the pushing :D My recovery was quicker too!

I loved my second birth. I was 8hrs (first was 12) she was coming that quick towards the end that she was nearly born on the toilet LOL. I felt like I could run a marathon afterwards I was on such a high.

My 2nd birth was my best one, it was my only non induction and was really lovely.

I have to agree with Trillian too.
WIth DD #1 - i was very traumatised after a quick birth and layed there like a stunned mullet. took me about an hour to process what happened and want to get up etc

After i pushed DS out and was happy and laughing and it was like an instant woohoo, even though i tore 2 degree i didnt even notice!

So yep def better experience second time around.

I think a big difference was i knew the labour would end lol (with #1 i swear i thought it was go on forever !)

yep for me! quicker, 45 mins, easier and a much faster recovery.... hope number three is just as easy. but not too much quicker;)

I felt a lot different in my second labour. It was quite a different scenario to my first so that might be why (and quicker), but I kind of felt more in control as I knew the pain, I knew where things were heading and I knew I could do it as I'd done it before...I think I felt more empowered?!

You'll be fine!! Try not to worry!

My second was heaps quicker - not so much easier.
DD was induced, 12 hr labour, epidural, no other intervention or stitches and weighed
7lb 12 oz
DS was induced, 2hr labour no pain relief, no intervention and no stitches and weighed
9lb.

Here's hoping for something simmilar for number 3!

Mine felt a lot better, if only because I knew what it was going to be like, to a degree, and wasn't as afraid. My first labour wasn't long - six hours - and not *particularly* arduous (although being terrified and totally unprepared didn't help). My second was about three hours, and quite easy, and I felt much more confident. #3 was a *breeze*. Those first three were inductions, too. #4 was quite short - 2 hours of active labour - but a bit more intense and difficult to manage. Interestingly it was the only spontaneous labour I've had so far. #5 was longer, about 5 hours, and that's apparently normal when you get to the "grand multipara" category, your labours can be a bit longer and less efficient. Nevertheless, it was peaceful and easy.

I have no idea what I'm in for this time, but I feel very confident that I'll handle it. I'm more nervous about the fact that when you've had this many kids, your risk of post partum haemorrhage increases quite a bit.

well i have my fingers crossed for a better experience then!

my second was 4 hrs longer but SOOOO much easier
i always say i would prefer DD's 12hr labour over DS's 8 hour any day!!!

My second was heaps quicker but I put that down to way better physical health. It was not easier though, way more intense. Saying that I'd prefer 2 hours over 12!! My mum had the same then third labour was longer so I am a bit nervous the third will be longer though....

My 2nd was 4 hours quicker, but cx were alot stronger and more painful then what they were with my first baby. Definately an easier labour ovrall though