Second baby? Please answer ....?

Question

I was 8 days late with my son and have heard that second babys are usually earlier, has anyone found that to be true?? Also, is a second labour/birth easier than the first?

Answer 1

Hi,

I have just had my 2nd baby boy 5 weeks ago. My 1st boy was 4 days late and the labour was long with complications (retained placenta and major blood loss). My 2nd boy was 3 days late and the labour was even longer and he was even harder to get out (but soooo worth it). My midwife was lovely and told me not to listen to those who tell you that "babies just slip out 2nd time round" because they dont always. All my friends told me it did with them, but that gets your hopes up so just expect the unexpected. :)

Answer 2

I'm not sure about the first part of your question, all my children were early and all my friend's children were late but don't think there is any pattern.  As to second labour I think it is generally a lot easier, my first labour was 9 hours my second was 1hr 15 min, almost didn't make it to the hospital.  

Answer 3

my first was 1 day late and my second was 9 days early. both labored the same, but i labored 3 hours with the first and only about 1 and 1/2 with the second.

Answer 4

My mom was 8 days late with me, 4 days late with my brother and 3 weeks early with my youngest brother. I've also heard that subsequent labours are easier and shorter than the first, but not sure how true it is. I had a 10 hour labour with my daughter, my first, and she came 2 days early, but it was really only intense for an hour and a half. If it is true, I look forward to a shorter and easier labour this time around with my son.

Answer 5

My son was 2 days late, easy labor, horrid pregnancy (morning sickness for 8 months). I am on my second pregnancy now, twins, which they say most pregnancies don't last past 36 weeks with twins, I'm at 35 weeks now. My mom had 5 of us, I was the only one born on my actual due date, and I was the second. My older sister was 2 days late, my brother was a week late. With my younger sister my mom was one day away from 2 week past term induction, and the baby of the family was 3 weeks early due to medical issues. My mom will tell you my brother and younger sister were her worse labors. My brother was an august baby, so she was hot and miserable, and my younger sister was well over 10 lbs at birth. She says the youngest was the easiest, 5 lbs, compared to 10 lbs, but it was the hardest pregnancy because of the high blood pressure and stress. We both agree that the more difficult the pregnancy the easier the labor.

Answer 6

Well i was 10 days late and had to be induced with my first. And the delivery was awful. With my 2nd i went into labor myself a week early at 3pm in afternoon but i didn't go to hospital until 5am and had her at 7am. Delivery was much easier although very painful staying at home all they hours. Hopefully this being my 3rd will be earlier and easier again xx

Answer 7

Well my mum had twins first and they were five days late, then the next was two weeks late, the next three weeks early and the next 6 days early.

Everyone is different!

I've only had one and she was two weeks late and I was induced.

Answer 8

I dont know about the irst question as I was induced on both of mine for different reasons, but the 2nd labour is by far so so much easier

Answer 9

Well .. my cousin had her first baby just over a year ago and it came early. But her second baby was due on the 15th august but she is still waiting for it to come!!

But yes i think it is true in most cases that second labour is easier than the 1st.

Hope i've helped!

Answer 10

I only had 1 so I don't know but my mother was late with all 3 of us, I was the first and big baby and home birth 51 years ago and mum said it was terrible, she says the third, my brother was the worst labour pains she as ever had. My daughter had 2 both 3 weeks early with little pain