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Second baby/labor- any advice?

theredfieldstheredfields member
edited July 2015 in August 2015 Moms
Welp, it's the second night I'm up late, so I thought I'd ask.

Last pregnancy I was late and got induced due to low fluids- everything went fine but long. People keep telling me it will go faster this time... This is actually something that I keep dwelling on. I have a doula, so I'm not "worried" per se, but I really don't know that much about going into spontaneous labor (yes I've taken the classes). But I also know when you're in it, it's different. Every labor/birth story is unique.

Any tips from moms of multiples. Were you nervous at all? Second timers, are you excited or nervous? Just wanting to hear from other ladies about this. Thanks in advance!
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Re: Second baby/labor- any advice?

  • jlsweetsjlsweets member
    I soooo hope it goes faster after a 33 hour labor ha. Last time at 41 weeks they scheduled my induction for 41.3. I happened to go into labor the night before my induction. In hindsight I wish I had labored at home longer but was nervous with the hospital being a good distance away.

    This time the doctors are telling me to head to the hospital when I even just have 2 contractions close together! I thought that sounded a bit extreme but she kept stressing it over and over at my last appt. I was like what about the 5-1-1 like last time? And she said nope, you have 2 strong contractions close together I want you headed over.

    So I too am curious as to how fast second labors went. STM's are you going to hold out for an hours worth of contractions before calling? I don't want to be hanging at the hospital again forever.

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  • kettlekittenkettlekitten member
    My first labour was relatively short (10 hours from prostaglandin gel to holding the baby, with only a short period of active labour). I'm super hopeful this one will be even shorter, but then I don't want to get my hopes up in case everything goes pear shaped! Have only really started thinking about labour (as opposed to being focussed on what comes after), but I'm mainly nervous! And a little bit excited to meet the baby.

    I have been intending to practise hypno birthing this time but keep being short of 'quiet' time to practise thanks to toddler DD. Hope to do some in the next few weeks.
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  • KateDerekKateDerek member
    The biggest difference between my first labor (23 hours with an epidural for half that) was that I didn't have any contractions leading up to my labor with my first. With my second I had lots of false alarms where I had contractions those last couple weeks, so we were more on alert. They were regular and painful and 5 minutes apart for hours on end but they would stop. So needless to say on the day I actually went into labor with my second, I didn't really believe it. In total my labor was 13 hours for him but I didn't realize it wasn't just another false alarm until less than two hours before he came, so we got to the hospital too late to get anything and I had him naturally. It ended up being a great experience and I hope to do that same thing again this time around.

    Also, it was more painful in the days after the birth the second time around when my uterus was shrinking back. Never had an issue the first time but the second time it was painful. This time I'm expecting it again and I'm gonna try and stay on top of the pain meds.
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  • Miz_LizMiz_Liz member
    KateDerek said:
    The biggest difference between my first labor (23 hours with an epidural for half that) was that I didn't have any contractions leading up to my labor with my first. With my second I had lots of false alarms where I had contractions those last couple weeks, so we were more on alert. They were regular and painful and 5 minutes apart for hours on end but they would stop. So needless to say on the day I actually went into labor with my second, I didn't really believe it. In total my labor was 13 hours for him but I didn't realize it wasn't just another false alarm until less than two hours before he came, so we got to the hospital too late to get anything and I had him naturally. It ended up being a great experience and I hope to do that same thing again this time around. Also, it was more painful in the days after the birth the second time around when my uterus was shrinking back. Never had an issue the first time but the second time it was painful. This time I'm expecting it again and I'm gonna try and stay on top of the pain meds.

    I have heard this about #2 also, that the pain after is worse as the uterus shrinks....oh joy!
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  • Joie80Joie80 member
    STM and nervous and excited. Excited to meet who I've been growing these past several weeks and nervous about the delivery process. Fortunately, I had a smooth and uneventful labor the first time around and I'm hoping for the same this time. I do wish I'd labored more at home with DD,but I'm not sure that'll work now due to how far away the hospital is and the crazy DMV traffic we've got going on here. I do think things will be better simply because I know what to expect. I didn't have a highly detailed birth plan with my first,and I don't with this one. We intend to roll with the punches and play it all by ear. GL, everyone! I see new august babies coming everyday on the boards and it's getting close for all of us!
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  • banfrogbanfrog member
    edited July 2015
    My first was induced due to complications. It took 2 days on pictocin.
    My second I had 4 hrs labour, 2 in the hospital. My contracts were 2 mins apart and I felt like I needed to push but I was only 6-7 cm dilated so they actually had to slow labour a little.
    My third was another induction due to complications. Had him 5 hrs after starting pictocin but active labour was fast. My Dr said it was only 20 mins.
    The post partum pain was worse than the one before.
    This is my fourth and no complications so far so my Dr wants me to labour naturally. I'm happy about that but a little worried about making it to the hospital in time.
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  • Startingagain2015Startingagain2015 member
    All of my previous births (3) were fast. My last didn't even make it to the hospital. This time around I have to go to the hospital as soon as my contraction are regular every 20 min or so. I'm extremely nervous this go round it's been 11 years since I had a baby
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  • breezymeema7breezymeema7 member
    This is baby #4 and each kiddo has arrived quicker then the last. I'm both excited and nervous. Excited to meet my little girl. Nervous because, well let's face it, labour sucks.
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  • theredfieldstheredfields member
    Wow! Thank you for all your stories! I'm glad to hear all the real facts about this. I agree, I'm excited because I know what to expect regarding what it's like to be in the hospital, push, etc... But I guess I need to start thinking about perspectives- this is just one of those things in life you can't plan or really be prepared for, so roll with it! We did that last time and I had a great experience since I had NO EXPECTATIONS. I think for me, that's my biggest thing to get me through life in general. You can't be disappointed in something you don't have a clue how it's going to go!

    Good to know about the post partum pain @banfrog @KateDerek - any advice for better post pain management- anything we should ask for?

    @kettlekitten I've got my toddler too 17 months when the baby will be born. How about you? Kinda excited, but nervous about how she'll react. And quiet time is non existent! It's the insomnia that got me thinking, haha!

    @Startingagain2015 how exciting for you! I bet you'll do great, but I'm sure technology has changed a ton too! Congrats!

    @Joie80 sounds like we'd be mom friends... I had no birth plan and still don't. It keeps me relaxed in labor instead of uptight about my birth story.

    @jlsweets EXACTLY. My doc keeps saying it will go faster. I guess I'll just head in when my doula says I'm in labor!

    @Miz_Liz so excited to have my body back! But taking rest in my soul that I've done this before! What a miracle we women are capable of!!!

    Thanks again all!
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  • ashleyo1992ashleyo1992 member
    With DS1 I went from 5 to 9 in 20 mins. This happened to my mother with me and my brother. So with this one I just keeping freaking myself out thinking about what if I go to fast again and don't make it to the hospital, what if he's born in the car, what if gma doesnt make it in time to take care of DS1. All of that stuff. Praying I get atleast 4 hours of early indication so we have time.
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  • banfrogbanfrog member
    The Dr offered stronger pain meds but I stuck with Tylenol. I did take Advil for the first couple days to get on top my pain management with the okay from my Dr. You have to be careful and check with your Dr about pain meds and bfing. My heat pack became my new best friend for almost a week after for soothing the cramping.
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  • xsunshinelady15xsunshinelady15 member
    I am mainly excited. Surprisingly not nervous or scared. I do know what to expect somewhat, but there are always unknowns that I hope don't complicate things. The unknowns are what scares the crap out of me. I am ready to meet this little guy, but want him to stay in until the very end as my daughter did. She was bright, alert and is very smart at 11 years old. I want the same for this LO so stay and bake my love, stay and bake.
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  • aveline8aveline8 member
    I am mostly excited to meet this little one! But a bit nervous because I had 0 complications with my first and I just hope this labour goes as smoothly. Curious, did anyone not have any cramping with uterus shrinking the first time but then get it the second time? I never had any cramping at all with my first, but now I'm feeling maybe I won't be so lucky with this second!
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  • lvrunningirlielvrunningirlie member
    This one has me on high alert. My first one came really quick (under 2 hours) and since the second is supposed to go faster I'm worried about making it to the hospital. With my first I felt. I contractions (Braxton or real) until I was in the hospital for LO low hr and monitors showed I was in active labor already, 5 cm dilated. With this one I've been feeling painful contractions for over a month. Twice this week I've had to go into l&d because they were coming 3-5 min apart for an hour, but they're not making me dilate. So I'm worried about knowing when these fake but consistent ones will turn into the real deal. FREAKED OUT lol
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  • KateDerekKateDerek member
    banfrog said:

    The Dr offered stronger pain meds but I stuck with Tylenol. I did take Advil for the first couple days to get on top my pain management with the okay from my Dr. You have to be careful and check with your Dr about pain meds and bfing. My heat pack became my new best friend for almost a week after for soothing the cramping.

    Yep, me too. I took over the counter pain meds and used the heat packs at the hospital and then heating pad at home. I was surprised at the level of pain compared to my first. It was a stop, drop and heat type of situation for about 20 minutes until the meds kicked in. After that first week it was fine.
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  • KateDerekKateDerek member
    aveline8 said:

    I am mostly excited to meet this little one! But a bit nervous because I had 0 complications with my first and I just hope this labour goes as smoothly. Curious, did anyone not have any cramping with uterus shrinking the first time but then get it the second time? I never had any cramping at all with my first, but now I'm feeling maybe I won't be so lucky with this second!

    No I didn't have any noticeable cramping with my first but definitely had it the next time. It makes me wonder how Michelle Duggar does it - I hear it gets worse every birth! Ugh!
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  • kettlekittenkettlekitten member
    @theredfields mine will be 2.5, so maybe she can help with baby stuff!!?? Wishful thinking!! Maybe we should be using our insomnia time more productively, I had a good 2-3 hours of it last night!!
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