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More Nervous With Second??

2 posts on this thread and the last post was on July 9th, 2008 12:48 PM
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alirenee86 - July 7th, 2008 2:56 PM
 [Original Post]

I had my first last November and was clueless as to labor and delivery. I was so confident of my pain tolerence and of the whole thing, that I had a great, natural labor in a hospital - 4 hours from the very start to finish. I'm pregnant again and my pregnancy this time too has been great so far, no complaints. However, even though I had what seemed like the easiest best labor with my first, I'm worried and anxious of L&D with my second! I guess cause I know the whole experience now, I just keep thinking about everything and it's driving me crazy! Like, what if I can't take it this time, what if this, what if that. I know there's no sense worrying, but any of you out there have more than one baby naturually (in a hospital though), and find themselves worrying more the second time around?? I feel like ignorance is bliss!!

CoLark - July 7th, 2008 5:00 PM

I also had an easy labor with the first (11 hours and natural), and fear that the second is going to floor me. I think it comes from being at a high and lofty position of having a birth I was very proud of. There is farther to fall when you start out high. I got a lot of praise from people that I made it without any painkillers. What if I ask for an epidural the minute I get to the hospital with the second? Is that failure? What I am trying to tell myself is that the labor is not about how I handle it; it is about how the baby wants it to go. My first was oriented perfectly and small. I cannot expect the same results or amount of pain if #2 is sunny-side up and 10 lbs. Everyone says, "Oh, this labor will be 5 hours and so much easier!" But, I need to be realistic, and be as open to things as I was with the unknown first. I think you have to tell yourself that it is okay if the second labor is 36 hours and requires an epidural. Much is not in your control--your baby will dictate so much of the birth. Just stay informed about your decisions along the way and remember that the biggest success is delivering a healthy baby with a healthy mama. Good luck!

alirenee86 - July 9th, 2008 12:48 PM

Thanks:) I'm more afraid that the baby is going to come insanely fast like in the car on the way to the hospital. Or that my hubby won't get to me in time. Since the first was 4 hours total and the second is usually faster (not always I know), I really think it's going to be a labor that is a total of about 3 hours. We shall see;)