Was your second labour easier?

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?

Um I think thats all my questions... :think:

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.

Cool thanks guys :)

ZF - what do you mean by they didn't progress as far as DD1's? Were they as intense for you the second time round? or do you think it was just cos your first one was breech maybe that was why it was different?

Umm i am not sure if the position of DD1 had a lot to do with the pain of contractions as opposed to DD2 or if i was just a little more aware this time and better at 'calming' myself.
I have heard breech can be a little more uncomfortable though.

DD2's didn't seem so FULL ON, i was ok walking etc where as with DD1 i just wanted to be on my knees rocking.
With DD2 my contractions didn't progress past 5mins so i think that took a big of pressure off too, once my waters broke and i need to push i knew that was it, no more waiting for the MW's my body was ready and so was she.

Ahhh ok. Thanks for clearing that up for me ZF - and thanks for answering my questions :D

No problems gorgeous lady :)

Good thread Mel!

I have been pondering your very questions! I just keep telling meself it will be so much easier this time and over in a flash! Now if I can get my body to believe it! Im also doing a Hypno birthing corse to help me with the pain!

Good luck to both of us! We might be going about it on the same day! LOL

I found my second labour to be easier.

Yes it was faster also , but I think the second and third time I knew what was going to happen.
I had been there before so I wasn't scared etc of the unknown.
I also was more educated and basically found the whole thing alot easier.

My first labour I was flat on my back, the 2nd I was standing and I felt in control..

Oh definitely Mel!

My first labour was 5/6 hours. I asked for an epi, but was too late. So had lots of gas and peth.

My second labour lasted 25/26 hours, and when I was offered gas, I specifically remember saying "Oh, nah.. I'll be alright. It's not actually that bad" (And that was about an hour before he was born). (drug free birth)

A lot easier. You're a lot calmer. You know what is happening. You know that no injury is actually taking place - You go with your body, accept the contractions, enjoy the time between the contractions relaxing and getting your energy back (as opposed to the first labour, that time between contractions was time freaking out that another one was going to come, LOL).

You'll be FINE! :) You have the lovely wisdom of Ina May to guide you :heartbeat:

I heart Ina May

Yeah Kate I'm looking into hypnobirthing as well, but not sure if there is a person down here that does it? I have to google more I think.

:

---

as opposed to the first labour, that time between contractions was time freaking out that another one was going to come, LOL).

---

OMG - that is EXACTLY what I was doing the first time round.. and when I felt one building it was like.. no no no.. I can't do this again.. go awayyyyyyyyyyy

Maybe you should move to Tatura and we can Hypnobirth together!! :)

:

---

Maybe you should move to Tatura and we can Hypnobirth together!! :)

---

Haha! At the moment I don't even know where I will be!

Definitely!! I felt in more control, I had an idea of what to expect, but it was certainly easier physically as well. I went from a 1.5hr pushing stage with bub #1 to around 15 minutes with #2 and yes it was shorter, but it was a lot more intense than the first time. It was my favorite birth out of all of them.

yep #1 17 hours 2 stage 2.5 hrs ventouse and forceps 3rd degree tear, epidural which wore off, infection, restiching. #2 total 2.5 hrs 2nd stage 2mins. gas only.

having said that- i loved both- not at the time but wouldn't change anything!!

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.

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?
I'm not sure about this one...with ds I had pre labour for weeeeeks! With DD, I was induced and it all happened at once, within 23hours. DD's labour was horrible and I was in alot of pain which I suspect was from being induced. With DS though I had a few weeks of pre labour, it all seemed easier which I think was because it was all natural, my body was prepared and DS was ready to be born.

Was the pushing stage shorter because your body knew what it was to do?
I don't think my pushing stage was shorter cause my body had 'experience'. I think it was just because it was ready, baby was ready and it just all flowed so much more easily. With DD I don't think either of us was ready and it was just a miricle that we ended up having a vaginal birth and not a c/s (oh maybe it was my mortal fear of having a c/s too...??)

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?
Nope I think I dealt with it better because it was nowhere near as painful as DD's labour was, I think it was just that I wan't induced with him. I had convinced myself that it wasn't real labour and I still had days to go before bub would come. With DD being induced made me contract practically straight away, they were really painful from the begining and then contrx were on top of each other after about 2 hours, for about 19hours before she was born. With DS I went to hospital to get pain relief or sleeping tabs so I could sleep for more than 5mins at a time and I was 8cm dialated. They prepped me and the labour room, ruptured my waters and he was born 3 pushes later.

Did you remember positions from the first labour that didn't help, or did you go blank whilst dealing with contractions?
I didn't move when in labour with DD. Besides being strapped to the CTG machine and having a full drip in, I just couldn't move because of the pain. I was like a statue on the bed and refused to move for anyone! With DS i had baths at home (which I now realise was probably while I was in active labour) just to help me cope with the pain, and then when I got to the hospital I walked a bit. But I then had my waters broken which was meconium stained, and they put the CTG on me again. While I knew I could refuse it, I felt...safer? on the bed anyway so I didn't complain. It was raised so I was practically sitting anyway, but I think that's just how I prefer to give birth.


I guess my labours aren't good to compare because they were so different, but if I can give birth to this bubby in a similar way that I did with DS (totally naturally with only arom, on the CTG for about 1hr, 3 pushes and he was born) rather than have any intervention like I did with DD (fully induced, 2 pethadine shots, as much gas as I could handle, on the CTG for my whole labour, AROM, epesiotomy, forceps assisted delivery, 3 1/2 hrs pushing....) I will be one happy mumma.

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.

Excellent thread Mel, I am reading with interest; I am NOT looking forward to my second labour AT ALL.

The lead up to my first labour was very chilled out, I did the calmbirth course & fully believed it wouldn't be "...that bad" because labour & birth is natural & we are meant to do it, but wow - was I in for a shock! There were times during labour that I did freak out - that same contraction thing, as soon as one was over instead of relaxing I would thing "God there will be another one... sooner... and longer...!" & got into a tiz. I was almost begging the MW for something, anything, but she was strong for me (glad somebody was lol) & encouraged me even though I probably thought I was dying... ;)

Afterwards I told DP "NEVER AGAIN!". I said no way would I be doing THAT again, drug free, it was torture. Problem is, I still believe that drug free is best for me & the baby & can't willingly decide to be given any pain meds, no matter how much I wish that I thought an epi or other drugs would be okay, I don't, & that's that. I have pretty much been dreading labour since finding out I was PG, I am hoping that once it starts I remember not the pain, but the result, & that I am still alive, funnily enough. ;)

can i let u know soon? lol sorry just thought i'd throw that in

QM - yup I think my labour was like that too!! LOL

Yes my 2nd labour and birth were much easier than my first.
I knew I could handle the pain second time around, I trusted myself more and was far more educated than the first time...even though I thought I was pretty well read the first time.
Ds2 was super quick maybe 4 hours in total, but 2 active and 2omins pushing. I actually really loved my labour with DS2 it was awesome and I cant wait to go again :)

In parts yes, others no.

DD's labour was 5 1/2 hours longer than DS's. So at the 11 hour mark (DS's labour length) for DD that was it. I freaked that i hadnt had her yet as "2nd labours are suppose to be shorter than the first". So up until that point i found DD's labour alot harder. But at that point i also had had enough and asked for an epidural. BEST thing ever. Once i had that, it was so much easier. Made pushing easier for me. Recovery was easier with DD also as with DS i needed an episiotomy.

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!

Definately easier second time around, definately more intense and painful (Sorry!!!) This could just be my situation though becuase I had such a bigger baby this time. With DD I pushed for 2 hours (7lbs, 9oz), with DS I pushed for 10 mins (9lbs, 3oz)

Great thread!

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.

:

---

Yes my 2nd labour and birth were much easier than my first.
I knew I could handle the pain second time around, I trusted myself more and was far more educated than the first time...even though I thought I was pretty well read the first time.
Ds2 was super quick maybe 4 hours in total, but 2 active and 2omins pushing. I actually really loved my labour with DS2 it was awesome and I cant wait to go again :)

---

Boomba I remember reading your birth story about 5 or more times, when I was preg with my DS. I loved that your DS1 wasn't ideal, and your DS2 was an awesome birth. It gave me a lot of hope that I could have experienced something similar - which i did :)

My second labour was harder, faster and hurt a lot more, but it was easier in a way as well. Which doesn't make much sense now, does it??!!!! lol
Both DD1 & DD2 were posterior, DD1 I had drugs, DD2 I had no drugs. But for some reason, DD2's labour was so much better and so was recovery. Maybe because I knew what to expect?? DD3's was so much more intense, and it was shorter again, and she wasn't posterior. DD2's was my favourite labour :)

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......

no comparison!

second labour was definitely easier.

not sure if that's because there was the 'been there, done that' factor though...

i put in alot of preparation, trying to visualise, having a HB (taking out as many 'wildcards' as possible), doing a calmbirth course etc etc.

But i guess the experience of first time helped pave the way in that you kinda knew what to expect in terms of contractions. BUT that being said, i didnt realise this time that i was in labour until, well, the baby started coming down lol. (thought is was pre or early labour up until that point).

second stage was fast this time 9 minutes. last time was about 45 minutes. second stage this time was also really fun and exciting as you know that baby is just about to arrive and is cause for celebration. i helped 'guide' her out and that made it heaps more exciting as i could feel the progress...

HTH!

Found this thread while doing a google search..... so good to read it again as I'm about to go into my 2nd labour and birth :dance: gives me lots of strength!!