Tell me the second birth can be easier

[janellesmommy]

I got into the birth pool for the first time last night, and I started to freak out about going through that pain again, and I broke down crying. DH was reassuring me that it will be easier this time.

My pregnancy has been a lot different this time. I've been having contractions since 18 weeks, so hopefully my body will be more ready this time.

I want some good stories, please!

[RachelGS]

YES!!! My first birth was 37 hours, posterior, agonizing, traumatizing. My second, at home in the water, was 6.5 hours, very tough for a few of those, but not scary or traumatizing at all. And short. I'd do it again.

nehug

[momto l&a]

My second birth was a breeze. Everything already stretched out

Recover was also much easier and faster.

[BelgianSheepDog]

:

[Finch]

Oh goodness yes, it can. My best friend had an awful first birth. She fractured her coccyx when her ds's (huge) head was delivered. It was very very very very traumatic. When she got pg with her dd, she was terrified. Her dd slid out in about 3 pushes, little to no tearing, and her coccyx was just fine. She was amazed at how much easier it was.

Lots of women have much better second births.

[SublimeBirthGirl]

Birth one: hospital, almost 28 hours of labor after water broke (probably 12 active), totally exhausted, asked for an epidural in transition, got Pit 24 hours after water broke. A good experience, but definitely very difficult.

Birth two: homebirth, less than 4 hours of active labor, not easy, not painless, but over quickly and a really cool experience.

[angington]

Oh most definetly. You've already done it once. You know what to expect. You know the pain won't kill you. And if you are preparing for a unmedicated birth, then you have some strategies to manage the pain.

You can do it mama! Think positive

[krismarie]

my second was definately easier... during the labor i freaked out a bit b/c it got pretty intense when i figured i had many more hours to go...but i was actually in transition! much less active labor, much less pushing, much shorter labor! and the transition to two kids went so much smoother than 0-1. good luck!

[Carolinamidwife]

Oh for sure. In fact, unless there was some outstanding issue (malpositioning, etc) I would say nearly everyone feels their second birth is easier.

[Radish4ever]

You can read my birth story linked in my sig to read about my 2nd birth! MUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCH shorter and easier than the 1st!

[AnneCordelia]

First Birth: Looong labour, back labour, 3 hours 45 minutes pushing, tore to 3rd degree, long recovery and many stitches.

Second birth: 2.5 hour labour, homebirth, 2 pushes, small tear....easy peasy recovery.

Both were 9lbs+ babies.

[Kirsten]

I think I could be more helpful if you explain why your first birth was so bad.

Did you like your care provider(s)?

Was your dp helpful?

Did you walk, drink water, use various positions and music and water and massage to help during your labor?

Did you have too many people at your birth or were otherwise uncomfortable with the general situation?

Did you take classes to learn to relax during labor?

Was your baby positioned poorly?

Did you go into labor afraid, or expecting it to be terrible?

There are so many things that can affect your experience. I found my second childbirth to be the easiest, third was the hardest (my homebirth - though I loved it) because baby was OP.

[dannic]

FB--13 hrs, back labor, 45 min pushing
SB--5 1/2 hrs, back labor, 3 pushes, trying not to because we weren't to BC yet. Both intense, both hurt. But I knew what was happeing, which helped immensely and it was shorter. Much better. HBing #3 anyday now...I'll let ya know how that goes, lol!=)

[herbsgirl]

Absolutley YES YES YES!! I pushed for 1 1/2 hours and it was horrible for my first birth (dont get a cervical block, makes baby's Heartrate go down, and I didn't have much urge to push until crowning.

My seconed birth was WONDERFUL. No pain meds or anything. I was determined I could do it and I did!!!!! I was worried I wouldn't have the urge to push, but my body just took over and the baby was out with only a few minutes of pushing. MY doc said 15 min, but I wonder if it wasnt less. It felt like about 3+ minutes of pushing! I just went with what my body wanted to do!!

My third birth was also wonderful, Not that painful (no pain meds this time either) until the last part, and just plain nice!!