Poll: Re 2nd delivery

~iLoVeHiM~

Q. Did you find that knowing what to expect made the idea/anticiption/anxiety of labor easier the second time around? Or, did knowing what to expect make your more nervous for labor?

A. I know most probably feel the first way. They felt more prepared, less nervous since they knew what to expect. However, I'm actually experiencing the opposite. The first time I had no idea what to expect so I wasn't that nervous or scared in the weeks leading up to. Of course I knew it would be the most pain I would probably ever experience but since I didn't really know I wasn't that nervous.

This time, I keep thinking about how crazy/difficult/traumatic my l&d was and I find that it is making me more nervous and anxious, even though my Dr. keeps assuring me the second time around is much easier and faster. Although, I'm fully aware there are things that can occur which make that not always true.

What about you?

august0605bride

Yes-- my labor was easy, quick, and unmedicated with #2. ?I had a lovely, natural empowering birth experience, and knowing what was going to happen helped me cope with the pain (I had an epi with the first one)

Anxiety is normal, but you'll be okay-- try some yoga and breathing and make yourself a relaxing playlist. ?Once it starts, you'll be too focused to be nervous ?

AnnapolisLari

I had a failed induction and c/s with ds, but overall it was a very non-distressing experience.

With DD, I had a scheduled c/s and was so laid back as to be nearly comatose. I told the nurse that it was like ordering something on Amazon and getting expedited shipping. Kind of surreal. :-)

camrude

For me I was more anxious the second time around. I had been through it, so now I knew what to expect and I would let my wander to all of the things that could go wrong. MH thought I was crazy because my first L&D was pretty much a piece of cake (IMO), so he could not figure out why I was so stressed out for the second...which ended up to be an even bigger piece of cake!

~iLoVeHiM~

Very true Aug! Once labor started with my first, there was nothing else on my mind! I'm sure it will be the same this time. But that's awesome to hear how your second one went down. That sounds heavenly!!

AZ_Erica

I was more nervous.  I had a very short delivery with #1 and was scared to death #2 would be born on the freeway.  However, I was induced.  The labor itself was very easy and DD basically came flying out in one push.

luckyluvr

I was mostly anxious about going into labor before my scheduled c-sect. When I did go early, I didn't think about nerves. In fact, I forgot all about the surgery b/c I was going through labor. It was so fast, I didn't even have time to think. While the recovery was a lot easier, the experience was a lot crazier. I went from 2-9.5 cm in 1 hr. this time, whereas w/ #1, I had a c due to lack of progress after 23 hrs. I think it's normal to be nervous this time b/c you DO know what's coming.

VivaAmore

I'm much less nervous this time about the hospital/delivery part and much more nervous about the first few weeks after the baby comes. Both, because of my experiences last time.

mbg8r

I agree with the others...I was more nervous the second time around, but the recovery was much easier - both because I knew what to expect. And I had two scheduled c-sections.

madhatter2003

I was much more nervous in the weeks leading up to DS....but when labor started I was SOOOO calm. My parents and DH didn't even realize I was in labor until DH overheard me on the phone telling the doc I was coming in to the hospital. It was SOOO much easier of a delivery as well. Literally 10 minutes of pushing, and that was because I had to wait on the doc! I could have had him out in 1-2 pushes easy.