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Labour & Birth

experiences of labour/birth 2nd time round

nicola011 Joined: 20/03/2008 Posts: 7 experiences of labour/birth 2nd time round 07/05/2009 14:17 Hi all, i'm 37+2 wks at the moment, so nearing the end :-))). I'm just interested in other peoples experiences of labour & birth 2nd time round. It's been over 3 years since i last did it so i'm starting to get a bit twitchy & nervous about it all. I sometimes wake up in a panic! Is labour usually shorter & does it usually happen earlier etc??? Thanks Nic x x
vicky231 Joined: 03/10/2008 Posts: 242 Re: experiences of labour/birth 2nd time round 07/05/2009 14:35 Hi, no two pregnancies are the same, likewise, no two labours are the same. The reason for the 'second, third labour etc is easier' is that the body has been through it once therefore, everythin is stretched and soforth. My 1st 18 years ago was induced. The labour from start to finish lasted 23 hours but 12 hours of that was getting me into 'real labour' so it was only 12 hours really. My second (I was petrified as 1st was frightening as was only 18 years old) 8 months ago, again started off lasted 17 hours but 'actual labour' was only 5 hours long. My 2nd experience was a complete dream compared to my 1st, and I will gladly go through labour again without the fear of 'what will happen' due to my great 2nd experience, and of course the fantastic epidural I had! didnt feel a thing, easy to push out, baby wasnt effected by epidural (your midwife will tell you this also) so fed straight away. Ist time had pethidine!! boy! if you like bein drunk then this is the one for you, but it didnt take away the pain and I had no control couldnt even stand up to go to loo I was that out of it!!! Good Luck with it, i'm sure it'll be fine for you, Vicky
vicky231 Joined: 03/10/2008 Posts: 242 Re: experiences of labour/birth 2nd time round 07/05/2009 14:36 Re: it happening earlier, there is no research to suggest it does, however, I was started off due to being overdue with both of mine so I do wander if my body likes to hold on to them a little longer! : )
Claire36 Joined: 14/02/2005 Posts: 4 Re: experiences of labour/birth 2nd time round 07/05/2009 19:36 Hi, I had an 8 minute labour the second time. She decided she wanted to come and that was that! The first time was about 2hrs, so definately shorter the second time.
nicola011 Joined: 20/03/2008 Posts: 7 Re: experiences of labour/birth 2nd time round 09/05/2009 09:25 Thanks for your replies. Vicky, i know what you mean about the pethidine - never again!!! Just want to know a bit more about the epidural. I'm VERY squemish when it comes to things like that & i'd heard quite a lot of negative things about it so i was dead set against it last time. What's your experience of the epidural like? Is it worth it? Thanks Nic x x
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