Second time (or more) moms doing med-free birth again?

Milo5181 · April 2014

Did anyone have a HARDER time the second time? Do you know of anyone who wasn't able to do a med-free birth after successfully doing it the first time? I had a great intervention free birth last time, but I am not planning to do any prep or classes this time around (more because I have zero free time now!!!). So I am a little worried that it won't go as well this time, or that I will cave and get an epi. But I have never heard of someone doing med-free first and then caving the second time. Any words of wisdom?

sschwege · April 2014

I did Hypnobirthing for both of my births and had med-free births. Because I didn't have the time to devote to practicing the second time around I did think it was a little more challenging. I felt like I didn't go as deep as I did the first time. But the nice thing about the second is, you don't think you can do it, you KNOW you can do it. I think everything was easier the second time, my labor was much shorter, pushing was infinitely easier, recovery was quicker, BFing came more naturally, newborn care was second nature, etc. So I guess to answer your question, labor seemed more intense the second time because I hadn't prepared the way I had with my first, but so much of it was easier that if I had to pick one experience to do again it would be the second time (of course has nothing to do with how I feel about the end product, my little bundles of joy

There probably are little things you can do to prepare. What about reading "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth". I went back and read the first half of her book after finding out I was pregnant with DS. The birth stories are just beautiful and you can't help but be excited to do it all over again. Even just going into it with a positive attitude can make a world of difference! Good luck!

NYGirl02 · April 2014

My friend just gave birth late last night and opted for an epidural, and went natural with her first. She had planned to go natural this time, but for whatever reason felt this labor was slower and intense so she felt like she needed the epi. I support her decision of course. But I agree, for the most part, people tend to choose natural again if they've done it once. Unless, their fsecond birth was natural but unplanned and not what they wanted but didn't have time for the epi.

KateLouise · April 2014

Second birth was much faster than my first. I was actually sad afterwards because I didn't get to settle in and enjoy it.

I used gas for my first and the tub. With my second I was at home so gas wasn't an option, and things were too fast for the tub.

Made lots of use of the shower and that was great.

I remember thinking, "I cannot do this for hours and hours" because I assumed things would take the same length of time as my first, but in reality I was in transition and DD2 was born within 30minutes of me thinking that.

robyn2201 · April 2014

Had two natural births and would definitely do it again if we ever have a 3rd. My second labor was under 4 hours, so it fast and furious. Yes it was harder, but then again it was also 4.5 hours shorter. I didn't get the build up like I did the first time. Also, I was worried DH wasn't going to make it. He arrived 4 min before she was born. Pushing stage, 1 push compared to an hour of pushing, and recovery was much easier.

cwm11985 · April 2014

I had 2 natural births and the second was so much easier for multiple reasons (it was 18 hours shorter than the first and I wasn't on pitocin like I was the first time). I didn't do much to prepare either time. The first time I went to natural birthing class at the hospital and read Ina May. This time all I did was reread Ina May and then two other books. It was helpful to me to remind myself continuously through my pregnancies WHY I wanted a natural birth; I never even allowed the option of an epi in my head.

Valancyy · April 2014

With my 1st I only had some drugs via IV (stadal, demoral, something like that), that wore off way before I pushed him out (3 hours of pushing). I probably wouldn't have had any if I had realized how close I was to pushing. I had a pretty fast labor.

With my 2nd, my total labor was 2 hours and 45 minutes, with a couple minutes of pushing. I did that med free, like I wanted, but it was also so fast I couldn't have had drugs if I wanted them.

I think the 2nd time around you may realize you're almost there when it starts getting really bad, and that may help.

This time around I want to go med-free again, but I'm delivering (hopefully, as long as I stay low risk) in a birthing center within a hospital. They don't allow epi's and will support a natural birth.

GPeterson24 · April 2014

2 natural homebirths and planning our 3rd (well, not really planning, just doing).

My second labour was longer by an hour and contractions were a little more intense due to baby's funky position.

Overall both were great though.

kindacrunchy · April 2014

My second was harder but I still went med-free both times. I have long labors and my second was longer than my first by three hours (which is not the norm). Transition was also longer the second time, with my first ended up with pitocin after being at 1 cm 15 hours after my water broke, transition was fast I didn't even realize it was happening. I went from 5-10 in about 20 minutes. Pushing was easy and felt good, no ring of fire. With my second I was in transition for almost three hours and pushing was much more painful, ring of fire included, because she was facing my hip. HOWEVER, even though it was harder it was a better experience overall. I knew kinda what to expect, I knew what my body was capable of. Even though it was harder it never even crossed my mind to get the drugs because I knew I could do it without.

marriedinaugust · April 2014

My first was med free, posterior, 11 hours from uncomfortable contractions to baby with back labor and 2 hours of pushing. I am really hoping the next one or shorter (or longer with less pushing!) I'm planning on a birth center instead of a hospital birth because we moved away from our amazing hospital/OB/CNM. I'm also not planning on taking any classes but will go over our Bradley workbook and I'm sure skim a few books.

VickyTGAW · April 2014

I had two medication-free hospital births. The second one was definitely easier... even though my second son was two pounds bigger than the first and had a compound presentation! Labor was much faster and I also saw a big advantage with Second Stage labor. The first time around, I was so scared of taking a bowel movement in front of my husband, I was very timid and reluctant to push with the pushing contractions. This time around, I didn't dillydally. I felt a pushing contraction coming on and I was all over it. It made a big difference. Second stage labor was 2 hours for my first son. 8 minutes for the second. : )

P.S. I also find sschwege to be accurate-- the first time you think it's possible, the second time you know.

mhooks23 · April 2014

My second labor was much longer and more difficult. The MW on call was not my MW so she would ask me often if I was ready for drugs. She ended up talking me into a shot of stadol prior to birth. I HATED the feeling! It made me feel like a helpless drunk. I plan to go med free this time as well though i am 10 years older this time so i am just going to go with the flow and see what happens.

headgear03 · April 2014

I have had four natrual births. My first was 10 1/2 hours , a water birth and she crowned sideways. My first was imo the most painful even though it wasnt my longest mostly because it was my first and I wasnt fully prepared for the pain . My second labor was 4 hours also a water birth . That birth was the most intense out of all of them . My third was 29 hours total, 9 active hours and 2 hard labor hours . Also a water birth . Even though it was the longest of my labors it was a very peaceful labor and delivery and the least painful. My fourth was 4 1/2 hours and my only child born in the hospital. This was my second most painful birth. It was also very insense but i was a bit more prepared for it . I try not to think about my labors prior to going into labor just because it causes to much un needed stress. Once im in labor I do my best to be as relaxed as possible and understand that each labor is going to be diffrent so not to get to hung up on how I think my labor os supposed to be going . I am very adament on going natrual and only once in all of my four labors have I even thought of drugs for pain relief and that was because I started to panic because I was tolled an hour before deleivery I wouldnt be able to have my baby at the birth center . I quickly centered myself and got over it .

L0L0 · April 2014

I've had two med-free water births and the second wasn't less painful, just much faster. 7 min of pushing vs 1 hour 45 min the first time. And the second baby was over a pound bigger with an off-the-charts head circumference. I definitely fared better having the smaller baby first.

Milo5181 · April 2014

Thanks everyone for your responses. I am so curious to see how it will go the second time around! Last time I had more than 30 hours of contractions but by the time we went to the hospital, it was less than 4 hours until he was born (only 10 minutes of pushing). So I am also curious to see how this one will differ time-wise. It's fascinating to read all the stories about differences in subsequent deliveries!

drpayne · April 2014

My first was a natural attempt but I was transferred to the hospital after 5 hours of pushing. I ended up with an epi. With my second, I went into labor in the evening and arrived at the birthing center around midnight. He was born an hour later after like 2 pushes so the experience was night and day. I'm hoping it's as quick this time.

LindseyH033 · April 2014

redaero said:

I had two natural, med-free births, and honestly the second time around was easier than the first. It was shorter by hours, for one thing. I pushed for a LOT less time. I knew what to expect, and had a better sense of what helped me cope and what didn't. I also felt more confident, knowing I had pulled it off once before. All those things really helped.

This exactly! Both of my births were very fast. DD1 was born in less than 5 hours from the time my water broke (pushed for 45 minutes). DD2 was born 3 hours after contractions started (2 pushes and she was out). I felt the second time around I had a better sense of what to expect and I was more vocal about what I wanted (water birth versus laying in the bed). Overall, both experiences were intense in their own right, but totally doable without medical interventions.

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