Second baby: earlier or later, better or worse labor than first?

[Anonymous]

I'm pregnant with my second and want your anecdotes!

[Anonymous]

Earlier by 2 days. 6 hour labor (first was an 8 hour induction).

[Anonymous]

Both Babies born at 38 weeks. Second labor was faster, but it was harder bc of a bigger baby.

[Anonymous]

1st baby 1 week early. 18 hours!
2nd baby 1 week early. 4.5 hours.
3rd baby. 4 hours.
It actually will be easier. As will recovery.

[Anonymous]

Two days earlier. 26 hours shorter.

[Anonymous]

first DB was a week late and 50 hours of labor. Second DB was a day early and 12 hours labor. So much easier. I felt 100 percent afterward, was running around the maternity ward and the nurses were amazed. After the first one, I felt like I had been hit by a truck.

[Anonymous]

Second baby was two weeks earlier than the first (it was a scheduled induction, though!). Labor was way quicker. I went from zero to baby in about 11 hours. After my water broke, I went from 4cm to a baby in about 45 minutes!

[Anonymous]

Both induced at 41 weeks- so same time!
2nd labor was 6 hours longer, baby was bigger and everything was more painful. Less tearing though! Even with a bad shoulder dystocia.

[Anonymous]

1st baby - 2.5 weeks early, long, long, long labor.
2nd baby - 3 days late, 6 hour labor, long, long, recovery (10 lb. baby)

[Anonymous]

First baby, 37 weeks, 12 hour labor (5-6 hours truly active labor). I was tired and sore afterward. Second baby, 39-5, 2 hours labor (start to finish). It was intense, but so short, and I felt like a million bucks (like, doing antsy laps around the ward) immediately after.

[Anonymous]

Later past EDD. Quicker labor.

[Anonymous]

First baby: due date baby. 14 hours of labor. Bled like crazy and sore for weeks.
Second baby: went into labor on due date, delivered early the next morning. 11 hours of labor. I think the epidural slowed things down. Recovery was easy peasy - I barely bled after the first days and felt normal within a week.

[Anonymous]

Earlier, faster, easier. For the third, even moreso. Not planning on a fourth, but if we did, I'm thinking I'd barely notice delivery at all.

(1st was 39 weeks, 2nd 38, 3rd 37)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Earlier, faster, easier. For the third, even moreso. Not planning on a fourth, but if we did, I'm thinking I'd barely notice delivery at all.

(1st was 39 weeks, 2nd 38, 3rd 37)

I'm loving the idea of barely noticing delivery - it's conjured a wonderful image in my head. "My word, it appears a baby has fallen out of me. Fancy that!"

Currently pregnant with my second and hoping for an earlier, easier time myself.

[Anonymous]

There was a really good thread on this not too long ago. Consensus was that second time is faster and easier. I don't think anyone asked about pregnancy length though!