2+ Mamas... tell me it's different!

myantonia · October 2011

How different were your labors? Like, were they both really short and fast? Did you need interventions with one but not the other, etc?

I had a pretty dreadful failed induction turned C/S 2 years ago with DS..... it basically felt like everything feel to pieces and everything that could go wrong did. Now that this birth is getting closer, I'm just so scared that it's going to go down the same way. I'm having a really hard time just getting over that fear and moving on, even though I know that the fear is really going to mess with me if I'm still holding onto it when the time comes. My doula keeps insisting that "every labor is different" but I'm just so scared that my body doesn't know what to do.

madhatter2003 · October 2011

Mine were very different. With DD I had a LONG prodromal labor (over 4 days of contractions), pushed for 40 minutes, small tear. Had narcotics, epidural, and lots of pitocin

DS was super easy. Woke up in early labor, it progressed steadily and only lasted about 14 hours total (only about 2 'hard' labor), pushed him out in 2 pushes, recovery was a breeze (no tearing). My first labor was by no means 'bad' but it was night and day compared to the easy labor with DS.

Erica92 · October 2011

Well you didn't exactly start labor the best way as LOTS of inductions fail. Labor always goes better when you body goes into labor on it's own.

Since Vbac's usualy aren't induced waiting for your body to go into labor on it's own will already start you off on the right foot. If you've hired a doula you're probably planning on not getting the epi which will also help as you can stave off MANY more interventions if you can walk, change, position, etc.. durring labor

All in all I'd say try to relax, trust in your body, and your baby and hopefuly you'll have a TOTALLY different experience than your first labor.

Kristihotgurl33 · October 2011

my first one i had my baby shower at 34 weeks and went into labor that night had him at 735am i got the epidural he came out and was air lifted to childrens because his breathing.. he ended up doing great.... 2nd one at 36weeks i woke up feelin like i wet the bed my water was leaking so we went in i was dialated to 4 so they kept me but i wouldnt dialate anymore.. they started me on pitocin and still nothing finally later that evening they went to check me which made my water fully break i dialated to 10 within in minutes..out came my healthy little boy. id say every labor is different.. one of my good friends just had a vbac and said this delivery was the COMPLETE opposite of her first.. id say dont worry esp if your docs are being so positive

McSquishy · October 2011

My first labor was very standard - dilated about at cm an hour after my water broke. Ended up with an emergency c for various reasons.

Second started off fast and furious and had a vbac in 4 hours.

myantonia · October 2011

Thank you ladies! I know it's all anecdotal.... but it REALLY makes me feel better to hear it.... just knowing it can be different gives me hope

LDQAM516 · October 2011

Induced twice...roughly 10 hours from start to meeting baby...Epidural didn't work both times. They were pretty much the exact same labor and delivery...although I was induced differently both times. Recovery was a billion times better than the first!

Linds1224 · October 2011

Night and day for me. My first was about 16hrs with 2hrs of that pushing, got an epi which was heaven and everything went pretty smoothly. I was in A LOT of pain afterward .. had a 2nd degree tear and just overall sore. But that's to be expected I guess.

My second labour was much different .. 1hr 18 mins TOTAL. I went to bed having no contractions at all .. NONE. I woke up about two hours later in full on labour. Contractions were two minutes apart lasting about a minute and a half. We left for the hospital in a rush at 1am, got to the hospital at 1:12am when my water broke as DH was running me through Emerg to L&D and my daughter was born at 1:18am. No option for an epi or any pain meds which was the last thing I wanted.

I'm hoping this time is a little less frantic .. I'd be happy with about a 6hr labour