Positive second labour

[Mrs CW]

I went in for induction at 39weeks on 12/8 due to problems following the birth of my first ds and because of light bleeding and an irritated uterus throughout my pregnancy. I had the pessary inserted at about 9.30am and after waiting around we went up to the ward at around 12 and I thought I could feel the contractions starting. We went for a walk to get some lunch and to try and get things going and while walking I was quite uncomfortable, so we went back to the ward with our lunch and I put my TENs machine on. I'm not sure it did anything but it took my mind off the contractions. At 2 I asked to be checked, it took them over half an hour to come and see me, and I was then put on the monitor and checked. I was 4cm and could go to delivery but was told there wasn't space at the moment. By 4.30pm I was desperate to go down to delivery so asked what was happening - thankfully they said I could go down. I was so glad to start on the gas and air! Because of the problems I had during my pregnancy and the fact I was induced I had to be monitored constantly throughout labour but I was able to stand and be a little mobile. My waters were broken at 7.30pm but I was still only 4cm. At about 8.30pm I was struggling on just the gas and air so asked for something else, I was checked and was around 6cm so I was offered diamorphine to take the edge off. I wasn't keen on having it due to my previous labour where I hallucinated after having it, but my mw reassured me it would be ok. So I had that and continued with gas and air and TENs. I got panicked at times due to not hearing the baby's hb as my first LO didn't have a hb for a lot of my labour but my DH and mw reassured me he was fine. I remember saying to my mw that I should have gone for an epidural instead of the diamorphine and she told me it was too late for that as I looked ready to start pushing. I was getting the urge to push and my mw said I should follow what my body was telling me (I told my OH I didn't want to push as I knew it was going to hurt!). After about 20mins of pushing Archer was born at 11.08pm and placed straight on my chest. I was able to have delayed cord clamping and Archer fed really well as soon as we tired (2 things that didn't happen with my first).

My second labour was definitely a more positive experience compared to my first. My first was an instrumental delivery with and episiotomy and an epidural and my recovery was awful. This time around I was up and about within 2hours and we were home by 2pm the next day and feeling really well x

 

[L2310]

Aww congrats glad you had an easier time than the last xx

 

[Clairexx]

Congratulations! My second labour was soooo much better too! Hopefully third will be a breeze xxx

 

[Minchin]

Congrats, ad you got some things this time you didn't manage last time! Sounds like you did really well