Moms with many years between births - 7+ - Input wanted.

[IdentityCrisisMama]

This question is for mamas who have had many years between birth (especially the 1st and second),

If you had many (like 7+ years between your first birth and second, I would love to hear how your subsequent birth went. My MW told me that some think that after a certain number of years a mom's subsequent birth experience is a lot like a first time birth. She said in her experience moms get some benefit from having birthed before, even if it has been quite a long time.

I will have 9.5 years between DC's birth and the birth of this baby. I didn't have a particularly pleasant birth with DC and would love to have a slightly easier time of it.

Please share your stories, opinions, thoughts!! Thanks.

[Breathless Wonder]

Well, 5 years, 5 months, 7 days is the longest stretch I've had so far.
My first labor was 16 and 1/2 hours. My second labor was 5 1/2 hours. First labor was an induction with Pitocin. Second labor was augmented with nipple stimulation, and an enema.

It will be about 7 years, 11 months between this birth and the last one. Curious to see what others have to say.

[angelpie545]

I have seven years between dd#2 and ds. Dd#1's labor was 9 hours of actual labor (after about 10 hours of pre-labor ctx, all very mild and not very painful). She was 9lbs 5oz so it took awhile to get her out. Dd#2 also had about 10 hours of very mild ctx followed by 2 hours of very hard labor w/ a premature urge to push around 7cms. My midwife just held my cervix open while I pushed through it, ended up at 10 and dd was born about five pushes later (she was 7lbs 6oz, so much smaller and easier on me). With ds I had about two days of a crampiness and uncomfortable movement b/c his head was sooo low, but no real ctx until 6am the morning I was to be induced (I have Lupus and I wasn't entirely comfortable with my ds's heart rate during my NSTs). He was born at 11:29 that morning, so a total of five hours. I also had a premature urge to push with him. My OB just held me open like my midwife did. I pushed about 15 min. He was 7lbs, 13oz.

[azjen43]

I had six years between my first two and my labors were similar in that both babes were posterior and were stubborn about turning. That's about where the similarity ended. First labor was about 12 hours total with lots of pain meds, finally general anesthesia and a forceps delivery. Third degree episiotomy. This was back in the late 70's surely today I would have ended up with a cesarean.) It was what I would call traumatic and it took years to get over.

Second birth was totally redemptive. I took a Bradley class and birthed at a midwife-run birth center. Water broke, no labor after 18 or so hours, then had an IV of pitocin and dilated very quickly (Maybe a couple hours of hard labor) I pushed for several hours, again with a persistently posterior baby, and had a large tear, but had a completely pain-drug free labor and birth and felt great afterward.

I had my third baby 19 years later. It was my longest labor, but my most gentle. It was very manageable except for the last few hours. I only pushed a couple of times and she came out fast. (This baby was definately not posterior.) I had no tearing, not even a skid mark. I was 42 years old and felt fabulous. I was up and walking around within an hour of birthing and really enjoyed my birth experience.

I would encourage you to relax and enjoy your pregnancy. Take a good childbirth class, (I'm biased toward Bradley) and choose a great midwife. It is a good ideas to have a doula, too. The more support the better.

I loved the big spaces between my children. It allowed me to fully enjoy each pregnancy, birthing, and postpartum experience. (And each child, too!) Best of luck to you!

[babygrey]

I had 8.5 years between my DS and my DD.
My births were so completely different- I still can't believe it!

My first birth was a pit induction @ 38wks after my water broke and I didn't go into labor. He was OP. I had 30 hours of back labor and he was born with the assistance of forceps after I pushed for three hours.

My second birth, I went into labor myself at 40w3d. She was born 1hour and 45 minutes after I realized I was in labor. I pushed once. (however, on paper, that looks great, but can I tell you that the pain of my DD's fast and furious birth was incredibly more than my 30 hour ordeal w/ DS??)

I DID have significant hemorrhages with the delivery of my placenta- with both babies.

Regardless, I believe our bodies know and remember how to do this. That may translate into a better birthing experience your second time around, regardless of how long it has been.

[IdentityCrisisMama]

Thanks everyone!