Induction with 2nd baby

I am currently 36 weeks pregnant with my 2nd child. I had a really hard delivery with the first - got induced at 40 wks, 5 days, 26 hour labor, epidural didn't work, baby was large and doctor had to use a vacuum, and had episiotomy due to large baby (8 lbs, 7 oz). This time around I hope I go naturally, but if not I am planning to be induced at 39 weeks. I'm just curious how labor & delivery went for those of you who had difficult first deliveries. Also, how did it go if you were induced on both occasions?

I was induced at 41 weeks with my first baby, and she was 8 lbs 11 oz. My epidural didn't work either. Labor was around 8 hours and I also had an epiostomy. I don't think my delivery was a rough as yours, but it wasn't rosy either.

I was also induced with my 2nd child at 40 weeks. She was 9 lbs 4 oz, and my delivery was AWESOME! They started pitocin around 8AM, and I delivered her at 12:30PM. I had another epiosiotomy, of course, but everything went like clockwork, and I didn't feel a thing.

I've always heard that subsequent deliveries are typically easier than the first, and that was certainly my experience. I hope your second delivery experience is as pleasant and wonderful as mine was.

Good luck to you!!!

I don't have much help for you, I had a difficult first labor (18hrs) ended up in an emergency c-section (babies HR plummeted and I had a fever of 102) so my next two I choose to deliver via c-section!!! Oh yeah with everything else that was going on I only dilated to 6cm!!!

Sorry I don't have a good story for you to help ease any anxity you may have.

Anyway I just wanted to wish you good luck and a better labor than last time. I know they say that usually the second goes better!!

Amy

Hi, Erin

I am doula if would like to call you I be more than happy to give you tips and info on how to have a more positive births experience. 937-559-5467, if this long distance for you email me your number and I will call you. Also I do a great labor support class.

Hugs
jo

i was not induced with either, and my second was later than my first. (not what you want to hear...) she was 12 days overdue....... but only 7 lbs so she just needed the extra time. i personally am afraid of induction, and would rather go over due than deal with artificial hormones and the complications that can arise when your body isn't ready..... but with a possibility of a big baby maybe that changes things... dunno... anyway best wishes for your upcoming birth and new baby!

My first-my son-was almost 2 weeks late. He was almost 9 pounds 3 ounces. I had to be induced at 6am and he wasn't born until almost midnight. There were issues all throughout the day and talk of a c-section. He ended up having a 1 minute Apgar of a 1 but his 5 minute Apgar came up to an 8. It was a very stressful day due to a cord around his neck twice, etc. I had to be cut and they used forceps. The Dr. was fantastic however. My daughter was expected to be very large as well. I was induced with her a few days before hitting 40 weeks. The induction was started later in the morning and she was born around 2:30 in the afternoon. It turned out that I was full of fluid-when the doc broke my water, she was soaked head to toe! I was laying in bed and said that I needed the doc because I could feel something-the nurse came in and sure enough, my daughter's head was there. My daughter weighed less than 8 pounds. Go figure!

I know you've probably heard people say that every delivery is different! All 3 of mine definitely were, ranging in times of 1 hour of labor to 14 hours. My epiderals never work and with one baby I didn't get one(not by choice) because he came so fast, almost in the car. I think you'll be fine with the second delivery, at least with #2 we know what to expect more than with #1 and I think this helps us through it. I was only induced with my first baby and my labor was relatively fast(3 hours). I would just encourage you to rely on your breathing and relaxation techniques. This is what got my through! And keep moving, I don't know why they have us laying down....walking/sitting and rocking in a rocking chair etc. helps stimulate your labor!! Having my second baby, without an epideral, was an amazing experience that I never thought I'd want to have(hahaaha) and my recovery seemed so much faster when compared to my births with epideral. Good luck to you and congrats on your new addition!

Well, of course this is your call, but I would encourage you to hold off a few weeks on the induction--it's not medically necessary until 42 weeks, and things might go easier if you can go into labor when you body & baby are "ready." Of course I wouldn't call my labor "easy" at 14 hours and no meds (in the end I was glad I did it that way, though during transition I was certainly NOT). But I always hear that induced contractions are harder--when labor happens on its own I think you get more of a gradual build-up. It's different for everyone, but for me at least I felt that it built up at a pace that I could sort of handle--not that I was really "handling" anything, but I didn't feel I was ever taken by surprise by a sudden huge increase in the pain, and by the time I was thinking "this can't possibly get any worse," that was the worst it got. So especially if the epidural might not take again (do you know why it didn't last time?) I'd say wait as long as possible to try to start naturally.

By the way, in case it is influencing your decision, I don't really buy the "your baby is big, so you should deliver early" argument. Our bodies are made to give birth to our children. I weighed 100 pounds before I got pregnant and managed to have a 7-lb, 13-oz baby. I tore some, yes, but it's not like he wasn't going to come out. And I don't think I even would have torn if it wasn't for the fact that I'd been up all night, was worn out, and was pushing like hell just to get it over with when I probably should have taken it a little slower. Ha, sorry, I actually do mean to be reassuring...I think there is more to be gained by letting things take their natural course than there is to be lost by having a little more pain in the birth of a large baby.

Anyway, let me also recommend my two favorite natural-childbirth books, Ina May's Guide to Childbirth and Birthing from Within. Even if you're not a crazy no-drugs no-medical-intervention freak like me, they contain a lot of helpful ways to psych yourself up for birth. Being confident and relaxed does a LOT to help even those big babies come out smoothly! And having a steady, reassuring support person. I was lucky to have an awesome L&D nurse--do you know about the staff where you are planning to deliver? Or can you hire a doula? It's worth looking into, seriously, there are studies showing that women assisted by doulas have dramatically lower rates of episiotomy or tearing, forceps/vacuum delivery, and C-section.

Congratulations, blessings, hope it all goes well, and as another nice mom told me on this site, "Eat plenty of protein and remember to breathe."

Hi Erin: I begged my ob to induce me at 37 weeks on the nose with my second baby-i had gestational diabetes and had been prego back to back so frankly i wanted it over with! 24 hours after going to the hospital and the softening of my cervix that took 12 hours on its own/and an epidural which took an hour to be placed (I felt like a voodoo doll) kept hitting nerves in my back from a car accident absolute nightmare. I had my son. Once the epidural took effect there was not too much discomfort till the active pushing. If the epi did not work last time it maybe that you need a stronger dosage tt your ob about that frankly it is gonna hurt no matter what really all the epi ever did is take the edge off for me. I wish you well but realize with induction there is more time involved for your dialation. I did not tear at all and did not need an episiotomy but that was because my babies were so close together just a yr apart!

Long stories short......1st baby induced at 40 weeks, 12 hours of labor with 1 hour of actual pushing, pulled out with forceps. He was 8 lb 12 oz. 2nd baby induced at 39 weeks, 5 hours of labor with about 10 min of pushing, 8 lb 3 oz. I got an enima (not sure of spelling) before both inductions. With my 2nd child the enima put me into labor so no petosin (again, bad speller!) was needed. 2nd one for sure easier. And the recovery was WAY easier!

Hi, Erin. I am a trained doula working toward certification in that as well as in childbirth education.

I would really like to urge you to try to avoid an induction. each labor is different. I had an induction with my first child because of dangerously low amniotic fluid. 12 hours of labor and 45 minutes of pushing. A lot of tearing and swelling. Recovery took a long time.

With my second, I wanted to avoid an induction at all costs because of how I felt about my first delivery. I tried using caster oil a couple of days and then finally started active labor after having contractions for several days (prodromal labor). My osn was almost born at home after about 5 hours of active labor. We got to the hospital and I started pushing on my own. Pushing stalled due to too much chaos going on in the room. When we were left alone, I started pushing again and my son was born about 10 minutes later. I tore but not nearly as bad and healing was much quicker.

If there is nothing wrong with you or the baby, there is no medical reason to induce. Some inductions go bad because the baby is not ready. God designed us perfectly and if there is no medical reason for an intervention, it is best to let things happen according to the Lord's plan.

If you want any more information or are interested in having a doula (I recommend it if you are considering going naturally), please feel free to contact me.

In the end, you need to do what is best for you and your family. Only you can make that choice, but I encourage you to do some research just so you can make an informed, educated decision.

God bless,
Amanda

My first baby was difficult. She was 8# 10 oz and I was in labor for 2.5 days. The epidural wore out in my hips and I had three hours of intense pushing, my doctor was not there and the genious covering him didn't want to "offend" him by doing anyhting, I also had the epesiotomy which my Dr and I had decided against months before but again this one was not my Dr. With my second though I had an extremely easy delivery, once it was his time to come(he tried to come a month early) I had contractions for a couple of hours, my epidural, and five pushes later I had my little man at 8# 1oz. My third was even easier I was in labor like an hour after my water broke and only pushed twice. My boys were easy, we'll see if it is just a boy thing or if my little girl due in 7 weeks is just as eager to meet the world. Good Luuck to you and your family.

Hi! Congrats!! My second delivery was induced, He came in an hour! Very funny story!!

I was fortunate enough to have quick and drug free deliveries! Three!

Good Luck!

I have had 5 babies and one on the way in about 7 1/2 wks. My first 3 (ages 22, 17, & 16) were the toughest. I had them all naturally with either no or very little pain meds. My first was hardest by far! My water broke at home and I had to be rushed to the hospital in an ambulance. Her one leg, yes leg, was born half way to the hospital where she was born in the ER BREECH. I had a terrible episiotomy that took forever to heel but there was nothing they could do. The next 2 were not so bad, although my 17 yr old did not want to drop. With my last 2 (ages 4 & 3), I was induced both times at 37 weeks. My 4 yr old didn't want to drop and I was pushing at 7cm. but everything came out fine. My 3 yr old took me all of about 10 minutes to get her out. For me my deliveries got easier but I was never in labor for more than 6 or 7 hours for any given birth. Granted mine weighed anywhere from 6 lbs even to 7.5 lbs. This time I am being induced at 38 weeks and keeping my fingers crossed it goes a little faster then the others! Good Luck!!

I was induced with my first (and only so far), so I can only share from that perspective. That being said, I had an awesome birth. I had a walking epidural placed early which helped with pain, but allowed me to walk around, sit on the birthing ball, use the bathroom (on my own), etc. When I was ready, I had them convert it to a traditional epidural ( they just switch the drugs, not a new catheter) and we had our daughter :) Good luck!

Hi Erin,
I am also a certified doula/childbirth educator/lactation counselor, and I agree with the others who said....DO NOT INDUCE and hire a doula if you'd like to avoid an epidural/c-sect. Statistics definitely bear out the benefit to using one to improve your labor/birth. It is also less painful to give birth in water. You can contact me if you'd like help locating a doula. I would recommend you hurry considering how far along you are.
Blessings
Denise Easthon CD(DONA), LCCE, ELCS, CHBE, Waterbirth Credentialed, Secretary, Dayton Area Labor Support

Well, everyone's experience is different and every delivery is too. But, my first delivery was very difficult too. I also had to be induced and I also had a baby that didn't want to come out! I had a doctor pushing on the top of my belly and one down below pulling, but he was stubborn! :) Oh yes, I can smile about it now! I ended up having to have a C-section with him.

My second son was born VBAC (vaginal birth after Cesarean) and I did have to have an episiotomy, but things went pretty well. I was induced with him also and I did have an epidural.

My oldest daughter's birth went much more smoothly. I did have to be induced. (I wonder if some women have a longer gestational period than others, but I didn't want to wait to find that out!) No episiotomy with her and labor wasn't too long either. I did have an epidural.

My younger daughter's was the easiest but most painful. Had to be induced again. I wanted to go natural and see if I could do it without an epidural this time. Well by the time I realized I DID want an epidural (that freakin' hurts!), all the anesthesiologists were busy!!! When they told me I could push, I did as hard as I could and she was out in 3 pushes. I just wanted to get that over!!

You ever notice women just have to share their birthing experiences? :) I could have just answered your question simply, but no I have to go into detail.

Anyway, in my experience they get easier so you'll probably have an easier birth the second, third, etc. . . time around than the first one. Your body is more experienced and so are you. Hopefully it will go more smoothly for you.

~Sarah

I was induced with both children. My first was about 5 days before my due date. He had the cord around his neck and the doctor had to vacuum him out. I too had an episiotomy. With my second child I was so afraid of being induced and another difficult labor experience. Because of high blood pressure issues i was induced at 37 weeks with my daughter. I had 8 hours of easy labor, with an epidural, and it was smooth sailing. No cord around the neck, no episiotomy(yay). The doctor did have to use the vacuum because she was face up instead of face down, but overall a much more positive experience.

Congrats on your growing family and I hope all goes well.

My children were 17 yrs apart so I experienced the old and new type of deliveries. My twins were born break - up breach (sideways) in 1975. I had ether as anesthesia, was in the hospital for two weeks and had internal as well as external stitches. My son was born in 1990 and I spent my 48 hour labor in a birthing room while they dripped pitosin (sp) in me. At the 48th hour and no baby, the docs decided on a C Section. For me it was great. My son was born Friday evening and I went home Sunday,spent part of Monday at work and healed quickly. I was able to spend more time with my baby and less time in bed or in pain. God Bless all of you.

Your first delivery sounds exactly like mine. We had vacuum and foreceps (I believe the doctor even broke the vacuum) and of course the lovely episiotomy. I was induced with both, the first time I was a week overdue, the second time I was induced about 3 days before my due date. The laboring was longer with the second delivery but the delivery was much easier and faster (only about 20 min. of pushing as compared to 3+ hours). The baby was however over a pound smaller. I do believe that the suction was used the second time as well due to the cord being wrapped around the neck and air supply was compromised.

I do not regret my decision to be induced the second time as I knew that I would not be able to naturally have a baby as big as my first one. Hopefully it will happen naturally for you and you won't have to decide to induce or not to. Good luck!