For those with more than 1 child
Printed From: OHbaby!
Category: Have A Baby?
Forum Name: First baby? Second or more?
Forum Description: Want help? Need support? Want tips? Men and women share advice and tips in this supportive community
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=37595
Printed Date: 25 August 2025 at 7:00am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: For those with more than 1 child
Posted By: _SMS_
Subject: For those with more than 1 child
Date Posted: 21 January 2011 at 3:39pm
|
Was your labour shorter/longer than your first baby? was it easier?
Also did you go earlier 2nd or 3rd pregnancy?? -------------  
|
Replies:
Posted By: pudgy
Date Posted: 21 January 2011 at 4:08pm
This probably isn't what you want to hear 
1st labour was textbook less than 12 hours start to finish with 3 hours of established labour + 15 mins pushing. I did end up with a second degree tear. 2nd labour was a lot longer was 20 hours start to finish 5 or so hours of established labour. Bubs was slightly posterior and had a flexed chin, instead of tucked under. Still only 15 mins pushing though. One tiny tear that needed no stitches. I recommend getting the water during labour it helped me immensely. One thing I will say is try not to get all fixated on length of labour. what do they say , hope for the best but prepare for the worst. It is hard because it is faster for lots of women, I had my heart set on a really fast labour second time around and it really affected me whneit turned into a longer labour. 
|
Posted By: Kellz
Date Posted: 21 January 2011 at 4:22pm
|
Ist was 23 1/2 hrs and hideous. Was 5 days overdue.
2nd was born on his due date, 9hr perfect drug free natural birth. |
Posted By: AandCsmum
Date Posted: 21 January 2011 at 4:24pm
|
Exactly the same gestation but a 1/4 of the time faster. Also much harder labour pains. I was wishing for the "nice" rise & fall contractions I had first time around rather than the xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ones I had 2nd time.
I think it also depends on positioning of the baby. Baby #1 was posterior & baby #2 was anterior. So if #2 was posterior as well it could well have been the same sort of labour. More importantly I'd keep yourself fit and able so that you can be active during labour so that you can cope with what ever comes your way. ------------- Kel http://lilypie.com"> 
A = 01.02.04 & C = 16.01.09 & G = 30.03.12 |
Posted By: jaycee
Date Posted: 21 January 2011 at 5:04pm
|
Yeah I totally agree about being fit and healthy. My 1st labour and delivery was pretty good - 8 hours from start to finish with just gas, second was some niggles all morning but nothing major until 3pm, DD2 arrived at 6pm, 15 minutes arfter getting to hospital.
BUT I think I was in a much better physical place second time. Ist time I put on 17kg, second time 9kg (with same start weight of 62kg). I wasn't sitting around at a desk job with Soph - I was chasing a very active toddler and I think this meant I got no swelling or anything. But as another poster wrote, you never know so don't expect it to be easy IFKWIM -------------   
|
Posted By: TheKelly
Date Posted: 21 January 2011 at 6:09pm
|
First was 8 days over due, 24 hour very textbook labour no pain relief, was posterior so very sore back,but no complications, had contractions,waters broke, had show, contractions continued etc
Second was 7 days overdue, had stopping and starting sore contractions for 2 weeks before hand, was 4cms dilated for 4 days and even once the contractions were regular I was still not effacing enough,and was still 4cms dilated for most of the day I gave birth to him, was sent home from the birthing unit to have a bath, and try and rest. Was on my knees begging for mercy by 3:30am I was 7cms, he was completely out and put on my chest by 4:44am, so that part, from 7cms to fully dilated was very fast . This time I have ordered her to be born either on my due date, a couple of days before, or one or two after and no false contractions and I shall say "ooh that hurts a bit" will go to the hospital ,say "excuse me, I need to sneeze " and out she will fall,onto pillows conveniently placed there ....dreams are free right ? ------------- 
http://lilypie.com"> 
|
Posted By: Mum2ET
Date Posted: 21 January 2011 at 6:49pm
|
#1 - 2 days early , labour was 7hrs and ended up with an epi, ventouse delivery and 3rd tear #2- 8 days overdue (which I never expected), labour was 5 hrs, water birth , no drugs and no tear
I wouldn't say #2 was easier, but I did feel more in control and calmer and recovery was HEAPS easier ------------- Mum to Ella (5) and Tom (2) |
Posted By: Kimnthekids
Date Posted: 21 January 2011 at 7:27pm
|
My first went nearly 2 weeks over, then ended up being induced due to waters breaking and nothing happening. sinto @ 1pm, bubs born 3am
My second the same happened, waters broke and nothing happened, so was induced this time 1 day before due date, tried gel at 9am, nothing.... so sinto at 4pm, and bubs born at 9pm Slightly easier as i knew what to expect, had managed to get some sleep the night before, and bubs was a great deal smaller ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
|
Posted By: rorylex
Date Posted: 21 January 2011 at 7:28pm
|
my 1st was 2wks early and was 12hrs long labour started at 6pm and ended just b4 6am though he was posterior the whole time which is what made my labour last so long.
my next baby was 11days Late!, but my labour with him was very quick. was even an hr. ds3 was 2days late and was 3hrs labour ds4 was 2.5hrs. At a whole 2wks overdue. ------------- Mummy to 4 boys Samuel - 18.6.05 Rory - 15.7.06 Mason - 13.06.08 Emmett - 24.01.10 Baby #5 - cooking |
Posted By: floss
Date Posted: 21 January 2011 at 8:58pm
|
1st - born on due date 14hr labour with just some gas
2nd - 3 hrs from start to finish with no drugs or gas and that was for twins, so that was way better then my single birth they were 5wks early ------------- My beautiful big girl Sienna 15.04.06 Double the trouble double the fun Noah & Lola 10/11/07 |
Posted By: crafty1
Date Posted: 21 January 2011 at 8:58pm
|
1 was great, long latent phase, born 2 days over, natural labour, no pain relief about 12 hours. Woohoo.
2 was faster but still with long latent phase, active labour about 3 hrs really. Still no pain relief etc. Main difference was that the build up contractions were hardly painful and although the transition was fast and furious it kind of felt familiar. As i was progressing i could compare the feel of the contractions to last time so was saying oooo i remember these ones and getting excited cos that when i was at 10cms with no.1. Much shorter pushing time, about 5 pushes compared to an hour 15 with no.1. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  
|
Posted By: Raspberryjam
Date Posted: 21 January 2011 at 9:10pm
|
I felty no real pain trhe first time - a bit ouchy but not like I expected - didnt get further than 7cm - laboured for 49 hours - ended in c section - delivered 10 days early
elective c section for the 2nd - 2 days after due date - midwife said she would have been happy for another 2 weeks in there - was still high up (they had to push her down to get her put) and placenta was 'gorgeous'  ------------- http://lilypie.com] 
http://lilypie.com] 
http://lilypie.com] 
|
Posted By: BugTeeny
Date Posted: 21 January 2011 at 9:24pm
|
#1 - 1 day early. I had niggles from the thursday night that felt like lower back pains (so I dismissed them as "I'm having a baby soon" aches and pains). By 6am on the Saturday morning I was having regular contractions. Baby was out at 1:34pm the same day.
(gas and pethidene) *eta: I think the birth itself was easier, but the labour was longer and more drawn out. #2 - 12 days early. Waters broke at 3am. Contractions start at midday. 3 minutes apart at 4pm. 4:55pm 10cm and contractions one on top of the other. 5:13pm Baby out. (gas) *eta: The labour was faster easier (relatively speaking!!) but the birth was worse as he was posterior - however, he came out in 17 mins, #1 was out in 34mins. They were different, but even though #2 was MUCH more painful, it was faster and over and done with faster. Recovery with #2 was easier, definitely. ------------- 
|
Posted By: busymum
Date Posted: 22 January 2011 at 10:16pm
|
I haven't gone back and consulted my medical notes for exact labour times, but certainly my active labour has got shorter. At the same time I've had less pain relief options (and actually wanted less so I could feel more of what to do).
DD1 (39w5d) - c/s DD2 (39w6d) - posterior, very long labour, epidural & episiotomy, pushed her without any pushing feeling. Very difficult. DD3 (40w0d) - fentynal, much shorter and easier labour, felt some of what I was needing to do and felt more in control DD4 (39w3d) - gas only (wanted fentynal but had no time!), 2 hrs active labour, felt pushing sensation, was easiest and very rewarding birth DD5 (40w6d) - gas only, 1hr labour, felt exactly what to do, labour was more intense than I remember - contractions were closer together Oh and as an extra note, except for the first baby (smallest), my girls have all been very similar weights - not bigger each time as some suggest. -------------  |
Posted By: mrsturtle
Date Posted: 22 January 2011 at 11:34pm
|
#1 26 long hours! gas water birth
#2 7 hours from first niggle 3 min 1 push from 10cm till born (she needed to be pulled out as she wasnt breathing) but they say that was because she came too quickly |
Posted By: JoJames
Date Posted: 23 January 2011 at 8:14pm
|
1st prolonged labour (24 hours) ending in a c/s he was 11 days over
2nd around a week early, 6 hrs from 1st contraction but only about 2hrs from "established labour My sister was very similar- prolonged labour and overdue with her first to early short labour with her second ------------- http://www.alterna-tickers.com"> 
|
Posted By: peanut butter
Date Posted: 24 January 2011 at 9:39am
|
My first (7days over) was long ending in ventouse as he got distressed. Contractions started 9pm, 3cm at 3am, born at 6pm. Had an epi so didnt feel too much but could feel the contractions to push with. 20min pushing (and a final pull with the ventouse)THink this was classed as 18hrs
2nd (10 days over) was much faster...induction began at 8am, contractions started 11am, established labour at 10pm, 4cm and ARM at 2am, fully dilated at 6am, em c/s at 7.27 (when the ob was free) so they class that as 8hrs labour. 2nd was a bit different as I was incredibly stressed prior to his birth as I didnt get on with my MW and I think this is what made him late. Once I relaxed things started happening. Also had an epi for him but it wore off right about transition time. My memory of that is still a bit fuzzy. |
Posted By: escadachic
Date Posted: 24 January 2011 at 11:22pm
|
Yes definitely easier the 2nd time!
With 1st DD, she was 11 days late, had no 'show', no signs of labour, she was posterior, only 3/5th engaged. Labour was 26hrs(established), I had the gel, only gave me mild contractions, then had waters artificially ruptured, that certainly had an effect! Tried the gas, did not like that. Was very angry at everyone during labour, had the shakes, threw up. Eventually got epidural, that slow labour down heaps! Had the drip. M.W let epidural wear off. I was not impressed. Kept pushing, not progression, baby was just moving down, then back up again. Eventually got more epidural and then was prepped for a c-section in case forceps didn't work. Baby didn't become engaged til 1 hr before I had her. Had an episiotomy and forceps and then my baby girl arrived. I remember saying, "I am never having any more children!!!" 2nd baby, only 2 days late. Had 'show' 8 days before I had her. Morning of day I had her, woke up by cat meowing, went to sit up, waters broke and was like 'sh*t, this is really happening!' and woke DP up and said "I think my waters just broke". Stood up and was like "yup, they definitely did", as waters gushed down. Saw M.W for assessment early afternoon. I think I was about 4cms dilated. And contractions were 10 mins apart. About 1/2 an hr after I got home they were 3-5 mins apart. Went to hospital, waited for M.W. Got in the bath and did not want to get out! Established labour was 1 hr 42 mins, pushing 12 mins. Water birth, with slight graze/tear, which would've been a 3rd degree tear if I'd had a bed birth! As she had a compound presentation(hand upto face/cheek) Which is why she got a little stuck, plus umbilical cord was quite short. She did need some O2, just due to getting stuck and the speed of delivery, plus umbilical cord snapping when M.W pulled her upto me. But yeah, much better then the 1st child. Though naturally while in labour, having contractions, with no pain relief, I have no idea how I coped! -------------   
|
Posted By: fire_engine
Date Posted: 25 January 2011 at 9:25am
|
Both of mine were inductions, #1 at 41w6d and #2 and 42w.
Both inductions started with gel which did did bugger all - DS1 was born on day 4 of induction, DS2 on day 3. #1 - gel for 3 days, synto + epidural on day 4. 12 hours from start to finish, 3 hours of pushing, ventouse, episiotomy, stitches ++ and big bleed. #2 - gel for 2 days, ARM on day 3,. Labour was 5 hours with synto for the last hour,gas only. 6 minutes of pushing. No stitches So chalk and cheese Much preferred #2 though the contractions were  .
Not to mention the afterpains ------------- Mum to two wee boys |
Posted By: _Deb_
Date Posted: 25 January 2011 at 1:42pm
|
Both of mine were inductions due to labour not progressing after my waters broke.
#1 was an awful labour and birth. Was pushed into having an epidural and was never offered any other pain relief. He was born 12 hours after the drip was turned on. 1hr 45mins pushing, ventouse delivery as i was exhausted. Tore twice, lost 2 litres of blood then couldn't stop vomiting. He was born at 40w 3d. Waters broke the day before though. #2 was much better and i handled it a lot better too. Well most of it, the hour before she was born wasn't so great. lol. I just concentrated on my breathing then used the gas when it got too much. She was born 5 hours after the drip was turned on and only 15 mins pushing. No complications this time. She was born at 39w 5d. Again, waters broke the day before. So yes much better and a lot easier. I felt SO much better after #2's birth. I was STARVING so i stuffed my face then had a shower. lol. After #1 i tried to eat but threw it back up. Oh yes, the after pains. Nasty things they were.  ------------- 
|
Posted By: M2K
Date Posted: 26 January 2011 at 7:13pm
|
#1... she was 10 days overdue, 8 hours all up, but I had surgery afterwards due to a bad tear & lost 2L of blood thanks to her trying to fly out like superman!!
#2... she was 2 days early, 2 hours all up, which resulted in a unexpectant home birth, but was a much easier birth with her, only the contractions afterwards were more painful. ------------- 
|
Posted By: blondy
Date Posted: 26 January 2011 at 9:06pm
|
#1 - 9 days over, active labour 8 hours (but 15 hours prior to that of latent labour), gas only, 2 hours of pushing, 2nd degree tear with lots of stitches.
#2 - 3 days early, active labour just over 1 hour (but still 15 hours prior to that latent labour!), no pain relief (no time!), about 5mins of pushing (but way more painful & intense), very small superficial tear with no stitches, much better recovery....also yikes on the afterpains though! -------------  
|
Posted By: Chickaboo
Date Posted: 28 January 2011 at 10:03pm
My first was a very long hard labour - 42 1/2 hours later (2 and half hours pushing) 9lb 50z baby - ripped from one hole to the other! On time Second was easy (probably didnt say that at the time) 4 hour labour and only half an hour I would say was really bad - 2 pushes and she was out - no stitches - 8lb 6oz. 5 days over (and have to agree the uterus contracting afterwards was much sorer - never noticed it the first time) Third child was a elective ceasar as breeched so brought out a week early - 9lb 4oz fourth was 3 weeks early - waters broke but labour never really started - even when indued - emergency ceasar - 6lb 4oz There will be no fifth so that is all I can tell you  ------------- http://lilypie.com">  
876 |
_SMS_ wrote: