[Sunnycat]

My first labour was okay. Nothing like what I had hoped for but all in all pretty good. In fact I wouldn't mind my second labour to be similar.

If you were induced with your first did you have a spontaneous second labour? How did you find it in comparison?

This post has been edited by Sunnycat: 19/01/2013, 08:54 PM

[4boysandme]

I was induced with my first at 6 days overdue. Labor was fast and hard work (but it is usually I think!). All over with less than 4 hours after I had the gel.
My second was natural at 10 days over due. My waters broke 2 days earlier which was a bit uncomfortable to be 'leaking' for so long. Labor was 8 hours.... But pretty much the same series of events, pain level, intervention ect...
Good luck!

[Missie]

I was induced at 38weeks with my 1st. Had a fairly easy 8hr labour. Went on to have 3 spontaneous labours at 40+5days, 40+7days and 39 weeks.

I found them to all be about the same, 1st 3 labours were 7-8hrs and number 4 was 3 1/2 hrs. All drug free and straight forward.

Hoping for the same this time around!

[HeroOfCanton]

My first labour was induced at 12 days past my EDD, I had my waters broken, then a drip an hour later - DD was born 5.5 hours after the drip started.
I found it a relatively 'easy' labour, and was most bothered by the drip in my hand making it hard to move around as I was very nervous about using my hand.

Second labour, I had a S&S at 5 days past EDD, at which my midwife said I would probably be calling her that night in labour. I did - regular contractions started 30 minutes after the S&S. She said she thought I'd have gone into labour anyway, as she didn't have to 'do' much down there!
This labour was a bit easier than DD's, I had more freedom, and felt so much more confident as my body had done it alone.
From deciding it was the real thing, it was 5 hours until DS was born. My waters didn't break until his head was born.

eta - both labours were drug free & ended with healthy babies & my bits intact, phew!

This post has been edited by HeroOfCanton: 19/01/2013, 09:15 PM

[Swarley]

Not first and second... but I was induced for number 2 and 3. The labours were intense and very quick. So I ended up going spontaneously with number 4 thinking it would change that. It was exactly the same.
About 4 minutes difference and just as intense and painful

[katrina24]

First labour - induced at 42 weeks with one half gel. Labour was 4 hours from first contraction. Second was spontaneous at 40 + 4 but I did have a S&S the day before. Second labour was 1/2 the length of the firs. No real complications with either.

[samshine]

Mine were other way round; first spontaneous, second induced (and 3rd elective CS!).

I found my spontaneous more painful, but seem to be alone in that one.

My spontaneous (40+10) was a pretty quick first stage, I dilated 4-10cm in 1.5 hours. But then had a 4-5 hour pushing stage so that slowed things. DD was posterior so there were no defined contns, just constant pain. It was a labour, birth and post partume experience full of complications so that probably influenced how I feel about that labour.

My induced labour (40+8) was slower. I had gels the night before, ruptured membranes at 12, syntocin going all day and it took til 9pm to dilate to 10cm. The labour was soooo much more bearable. Contractions were full on but I had pain free periods between them, which I didn't have iwth DD. Unfortunately I need a CS during 2nd stage, but I would sstill do that labour 10 x over the first one....

good luck!

[CG123]

First labour I was induced with a drip of syntocinon at 9 days over and had my waters broken. Labour was slow and tiring. I tried the gas, had the pethadine and was also given an epidural. After a delay in 2nd stage much longed for DS1 was born with the aid of forceps. From beginning to end it was 20 hours! I suffered many complications after delivery.

Second time round I went into spontaneous labour 9 days over (after being told I would need to be induced as not likely to go into labour on my own). Felt what I thought were hunger pains at approx 4:45am so I got up to eat. Turns out I was in labour! I had a shower and DH and I made our way to the hospital because I felt immence pressure. At 12:43pm I was holding beautiful DS2. 7 hours, drug free!!!

My two experiences could not be more different. If I could be guaranteed labour and delivery like DS2, I would have a billion babies!!!!!

[Akeyo]

With my first I was induced at 40+11 due to a low level of fluid around the baby. Labour lasted for 17 hours, strapped to a machine, unable to use the bath or shower then baby went into distress and I was whisked off for an EC. As I had been planning a natural birth in the birth centre, the amount of interventions required was a bit of a shock. But baby was born fine and my recovery was good.

#2 was a very different story. As a VBAC I was told I could not be induced so if I didn't go into spontaneous labour, I would be booked in for a repeat CS. There was no way in hell THAT was happening so I launched myself on a natural birthing mission - hypnobirthing, yoga, acupuncture, meditation - whether it had any effect who knows (but I think so) but I went into labour in the middle of the night of the day I was due. Baby was born in the bathtub at the birth centre after just 4 hours active labour and a rather strenuous 2.5 hours pushing (posterior). My drug and intervention free VBAC! Wonderful experience

Now 26 weeks pregnant with #3 and wondering how different this birth will be again!

[Strawberry Welli...]

My first was induced at 11 days over, using the gel and then later pitocinon when things slowed down after I had an epidural. 15 hours from when contractions started til the birth. No complications, normal delivery but the labour was hard and I don't have fond memories of it particularly.

Second I was determined to go natural, so planned to wait 14 days over. At about 11 days over I started getting mild contractions following a membrane sweep. This pre-labour lasted 4 nights, I was booked for an induction on day 15 and by that time I was ready for some help as I had barely slept with the mild contractions going around the clock. Lucky for me, I was 4 cm already when they broke my waters and that kicked everything off for me. Labour was only 2 hours, in birth centre no interventions needed. My memories of my son's birth are amazing. So much euphoria and such an incredible high for the next few days with my baby. I didn't have anything like that with my daughter.

If I have a third I will be determined to avoid chemical induction again if possible. I know now that I have 42 week pregnancies so I am confident in waiting it out for a better labour/birth.

Good luck with your birth

This post has been edited by Strawberry Wellies: 19/01/2013, 09:55 PM