So I hear second births are “normally” easier then firsts and I am truly hoping so! We have decided to try to number 2, and I’m hoping we will be lucky; but part of me is worried after my first less-than-enjoyable experience! Any experiences please send my way!

My first experience was a marathon and not a sprint. He was a big boy so I was warned I would likely not be allowed to go past my due date. At 38 weeks I was trying (nearly) everything to bring him out naturally. I accepted stretch and sweeps and bounced on the ball like there was no tomorrow. At 39 weeks I had to be induced; I was so sad, I just didn’t want it affect that dreamy ideal birth I had hoped to have. Immediately I was having beautiful contractions, the midwife was so happy and didn’t think it would be long. 24hrs later nothing, 1cm dilated for all that fun.

Another induction pessary followed, producing stronger contractions. More and more examinations followed and I was barely progressing until 4am the next night when my waters went with a force! The following evening I was told I would need a drip induction to move it quicker as I wasn’t dilating quickly. Let’s just say the next 19 hours of extreme contractions, the epidural going wrong and only numbing the left side, then some scares with bubba were a nightmare. All of a sudden I progressed 4-10cm in an hour and could finally push. But no joy. My little boy wasn’t doing well so off to theatre we went; after the baby was attempted to be manually turned and then forceps tried, they realised I had to have an emergency section.

I know I could ask for a section next time, but after all my trying I really wanted to know what it was like to succeed in actually delivering a baby. He’s a happy bouncing boy and I’m happy he’s here safely but I do feel a little like I failed; can’t really explain it better than that.

Well done if you got through the long post; any comments on section births or second experiences or otherwise welcomed!