Are second labours/deliveries really that much easier?

My second delivery was much easier and faster than my first...

I remember your birth story, it sounded really traumatic. My first was traumatic as well - no drugs, tearing, not the best nursing/dr advice, long pushing, etc. Certainly not the best experience. When I got pregnant again I was really dreading the delivery - like you I would tear up and cry just thinking or talking about it - added to that the additional insecurity around a big baby and the doctor/hospital. I really think that I held the baby in with my sincere dread of the experience! I did get my Zen moment, thankfully, on the first contraction, I just kind of relaxed and went with it and knew it would be ok and my body was ready. And this birth was a breeze, over in two hours, two pushes and quick, quick recovery. Really a night and day experience, I would have another and I was doubtful after the first! That said, it sounds like you have a good setup for recovery, with great help and if you think that this would give you the opportunity to enjoy the pregnancy and the birthing process, go for it with the elective. It's a longer recovery time but you have help and then you can just relax and get your Zen moment right now. Good luck.

I didn't feel more confident. In fact I was dreading labour. I had a fast, intense labour with DD, with no analgesia, except the gas. I was most disappointed when I had to be induced the second time too, by bursting my waters. When they did that there was muconium in the waters so I had to go on the drip again. I had so much gas that I barely remember the second labour. It was much easier to push. I did not push as hard the second time but bubs still came out. What got me through was knowing that I could walk to the shower afterwards and be up and about with bub. Oh, and a can of celebratory coke! I'm not being reassuring I know but I wanted to let you know that it is normal to feel anxious about your second labour. I had people say that their second labour was beautiful, so calm... I still don't believe them! <em>edited by TwoKids on 10/09/2011</em>

I had an emergency c section with my first, was unable to move for days, found it really traumatic. Was terrified when I fell pregnant again within a few months but had an elective c section, was great! Was up, walking and discharging myself 24hrs after the birth.

My second delivery was. She shot out like a bar of soap. The OB barely had time to get her wellies on. But, everybody is different. The only common denominator is that you've done it before so kind of know the ropes.

Nope. You just feel more confident, is all.

1st was traumatic, painful, 16 hours and was a few minutes away from a emergency c-section. I was really scared the 2nd time around but to my delight, it was absolutely wonderful. I really really enjoyed it the 2nd time around. I hope your second is just as joyful! Good luck!

I had an elective section for my third as my first birth was a great experience bit of a shock as I was quite young but felt very happy afterwards, my second birth 10 years later was so quick (I know that sounds like most mothers idea of heaven) but I was so shocked afterwards in the way that it happened I had flashbacks and had trouble bonding with the baby so when I was due to give birth again 19 months later I went for the elective c section and for me it was a great experience even with a 19 month old very lively toddler to look after with no help I was still much happier and calmer after the section, I do agree you don't get the high of being able to hop off the bed straight after the birth feeling like the only woman on the planet to have given birth however that only lasted a matter of weeks and for me the mental effects of giving birth naturally went on for much longer, it is a very hard decision I am happy to chat more if you need to, best of luck, oh I would have a section again if I get lucky enough to have another x

I had a horrible long labour with DD and it was also everything i didnt hope it to be, with a long and painful recovery. My second delivery 8 weeks ago was my twins and boy what a difference! i think the hospital played a huge part in it but i was far more relaxed and trusting in myself... and i felt I / my body knew what to do (or at least i was relaxed enough to listen to my body and go with it!) Also once they were here, i was automatically a much more relaxed mum than the first time round HTH

I had an elective c-section due to DS's position and it truly was easy-peasy, go in, epidural at 9am, baby out 5 minutes later, only panadol after the first 24 hours, there was pain when laughing or coughing for around 2 weeks, but not excruciating by any means. So I wouldn't be scared of an elective at all, basic stuff like cooking and doing washing is no problem within days so long as you are sensible but the big thing to consider is that you will not be able to lift your older child or drive for 6 weeks (the driving is because if you had to slam on the breaks you could rip your incision open which could be really dangerous for everyone in the car, so I wouldn't ignore that advice). These are the only reasons I would even consider not having an elective next time around myself. They give most of the pain relief after the baby is out, and because they take such tiny amounts of colostrum in the first 24 hours, you don't need to worry about the pain relief getting though to bubs. If you have a live-in, who can lift for you, can get around the driving thing and your first child is old enough to understand/not need picking up and will be happy with sit down cuddles then an elective is a good idea. Post traumatic stress disorder after very bad births is not uncommon, I hope you are getting counseling, it is a real condition. I've had friends choose electives after similar experiences and not regret it at all but alternatively you can as suggested be induced, go straight to epidural and be mentally prepared for c-section if things are not progressing, there's no need to try and be superwoman here, so long as your baby gets out safely, all is good.

My second was about twice as long as my first, but sooo much more relaxed. I loved it, but you know me... I think that's actually the crux of it - second time around, you know what's meant to happen and when, what sometimes needs to happen and generally take a far more pragmatic look on the whole business. You'll know the signs of going into labour, what your body and your mind can expect and tolerate and almost certainly won't feel that out-of-control feeling if the unexpected were to happen. I think you need to weigh up how you feel about the process with the down-time a c-section will cause. Don't underestimate the level of activity having 2 under 2 will create! If you can get active help in for those 8 weeks of recovery and deep down you feel happier about the elective c-section, then I would choose that. If you can't, then I would try to prepare for a natural birth with an open mind. No two labours are the same, just as no two children are the same. You'll make the right decision anyway, whatever it may be.

Second birth is massively easier, maybe the labour won't be much different, it's still ****** painful, but pushing the baby out was so much easier the second time. Natural birth is tough, but there's something great about getting off that table and walking into the shower straight after and in general being able to walk around (albeit like John Wayne), but I would only go down the c-section route for geniune medical reasons. I was induced on my first...very traumatic too....Got the gel 3 times before even dilating slightly enough to have my waters broken. Once my waters were broken my labour took off and I went from 1-7 in 3 hours....I begged for pain relief but they didn't believe me that I was in geniune labour yet as it was my first. When I did get checked I was rushed down to delivery. I was sreeching for the epidural as I had no intention of doing it without pain relief. But between the most horrific contractions taking me from 7-10 in 20 minutes, I had to start pushing. I pushed for 40 minutes and just couldn't get the head out. The pain was out of this world as I didn't even have a panadol in me. I ended up having an episotomy and finally got him out. But I don't remember ever being as happy as holding my baby for the first time after all that. On number 2 I was induced at 39 weeks due to low fluid. Got the gel and thought the same thing would happen, that I would need 3 of them to get it started.... Sent DH home at 10pm as thought it would be the next night before anything, but got my first pain at 10:30pm and same thing happened. Went from 7-10 in 2 hours this time...all the while not believing that this was real labour. Was rushed down to delivery when i got the urge to push out of nowhere. When I stood up to get on the delivery table, my waters burst onto the floor and his head starting coming out. His head was nearly out after 2 contractions...i barely managed to get on the bed and only managed to get up on all fours (which was a great way to give birth by the way) and with 3 more pushes he was out. All in 10 minutes. Had a second degree tear, but it was nothing compared to the pain of an episotomy. The birth canal has already been stretched from your first....so the baby will come out a lot easier....good luck

I've had 2 c section s and my 1 st was awful in so much pain afterwards and refused to get up straight away as it hurt so much....2 c section easy peasy, I just knew what to expect and walked around more as the docs say get up and walk and u recover quicker and I did. 3 rd c section in 3 weeks time I'll let u know how that goes hopefully even better. If I was u I wouldn't o for a c section u know what to expect giving birth and it can't be any worse ....if u opt for a section u don't know what to expect and it is a major operation....I'd love to give birth naturally :(

First one - very quick, very traumatic, very scared, lots of stitches! Second one - laughing, smiling, couple of pushes, joyous experience! As you say DC, all pregnancies and births are different but for me, and what my doc recommended, was an induction. He actually wanted a caesar but I was against that. I had to be talked into the induction by my DH and they both advocated that it would give "control" over the situation which for me was a big plus, knowing what I'd previously been through and also my personality generally! The other big difference was having an epidural, I was against this too, but the minute I had the first contraction (2nd birth) I caved and was so glad I did! For me the worst thing was the memory of the first birth, there's no coincidence that mine are 3 years apart! And to have a totally different experience was great. For me, but also my DH too. He said the first time around to see the fear in my eyes and to be totally helpless was tough. Well not as tough as my job mate, but hey ho! So that's my story for what it's worth. Most people I know recover quickly from c-sections and have a "get on with it" mentality, particularly when it's your 2nd. After all your DS doesn't really understand why you can't pick him up. So they find they do that, and drive, etc, when they need to. Of course I'm not advocating ignoring doctor's advice, but I think if you listen to your body the recovery won't be as bad as you may be led to believe. Hope some of that helps, best of luck with making your decision. To be blunt, if you've have a bad first experience, the second one can't be any worse. Right?!! Take care.

First baby got stuck in the birth canal-ridiculously long labour-difficult forceps delivery which resulted in daughter having blood on the back of her brain-the doctor still uses it in lectures as an example of worst possible natural birth-only good thing was the epidural-second one was breech at 26 weeks-very quick but no pain relief as the baby was in distress-not cheering you up am I-so I guess the second was quicker but more painful in spite of the baby's size-and the stress because we knew something was wrong with him-on the plus side once labour starts you do forget what happened first tie round thank goodness! Mind you I would never have gone back for a third!