For those with more than 1 child

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.

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.

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 ?

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

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

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'

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.

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

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!

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.

Edited by DebandKaelen