The second pregnancy and childbirth may not be the same as the first. It is believed that the body is able to remember, therefore, carrying a second and subsequent child is easier than the firstborn. However, the situation is not always favorable.
Some features of pregnancy
Pregnancy with a second child can differ significantly from the first, and can be very similar. Such a process takes place individually, it is impossible to predict the course of events.
The standard symptoms in the early stages may be the same as during the first pregnancy, or they may change:
- there may not be early nausea or swelling of the chest;
- there is a risk of varicose veins;
- most often the second birth is easier, the attempts are not long, and the fetus is easier;
- postpartum recovery is much faster;
- earlier divergence of the pelvic bones.
Despite the fact that the second pregnancy is no longer scary as the first time, it still needs to be planned in advance. The optimal period of conception is 2 or 3 years after the first birth. During this time, the body manages to bounce back and replenish the supply of vitamins and minerals. Those who gave birth using cesarean section, on the recommendation of a doctor, it is better to wait a period of more than 3 years.
Having become pregnant a second time, it is necessary to strictly monitor weight gain and clearly follow the doctor's recommendations. If the first-born can’t wait to get on your hands, first sit down, straighten your legs, and then rise.
What is the difference between the second and the first pregnancy
The fact that the second pregnancy is more difficult cannot be denied. Mom already has a child, she cannot afford to enjoy this condition as for the first time. A huge amount of time during the day goes to classes with the firstborn, cleaning and cooking. And in such an active daily routine, you may not even notice the signs of the emergence of a new life.
An important aspect is that the body is designed so that the memory from the first pregnancy is erased after 5-7 years, you will have to experience a new conception the same way as for the first time.
If the birth of a new life occurred with a small interval after the first birth, the body will work in a mode of exhaustion. A short period of time is not enough to restore and replenish the body with vitamins and minerals. Therefore, unfortunately, a deficiency of essential minerals and anemia will accompany a second pregnancy.
If the first birth was by caesarean
Today, a lot depends on the period of conception and pre-planned pregnancy. Caesarean during the first pregnancy is not always a contraindication to independent second birth.
If after the birth of the first child about a year or more than 10 years have passed, then the obstetrician will most likely give preference to surgical intervention. But if the second pregnancy occurred at the optimal time (from 2 to 3 years), then the expectant mother in the absence of contraindications may be allowed to give birth on her own.
In addition, if mommy is absolutely healthy, then doctors will even insist on independent births, since the woman’s body recovers much faster after them.
After 30 years
The beginning of the second pregnancy at 30 years and older is a little alarming for most women. Relatively recently, future mothers who gave birth at this age were considered old-born. Today, the criteria for this have changed a bit.
Today, there is an opinion among doctors that if a woman monitors her health, then pregnancy at the age of 30-35 will take place according to the standard scheme. Most often, this reasoning applies to the fairer sex, in whom the first pregnancy and childbirth occurred without complications, and pathological processes did not form by the age of conception.
After 35 years
The second pregnancy after the age of 35 is a great danger, there is no point in arguing. According to medical studies, the risk of having a baby with genetic abnormalities increases every year. The cells of the future mother are aging, and this is fraught with the development of defects that can have a negative effect on the developing embryo.
In addition, pregnancy monitoring after 35 years should be under the strict control of a geneticist who is able to timely diagnose pathologies of the development of the child in the womb and take appropriate measures.
Ideally, the couple should undergo a medical examination before planning a pregnancy. Having completed all the necessary tests, the doctor will issue a verdict and predictions about the birth of a healthy baby. And if there are risks, then he will try to reduce them to a minimum.
Does the stomach grow faster than during the first pregnancy
There is an opinion that the second pregnancy is more difficult for the muscles of the abdominal cavity. In fact, the situation is different. The stomach during the second pregnancy does not begin to grow faster. It’s just that the muscles are already stretched first, and because of this, it seems that he lowers much earlier.
If you notice a previous omission, then you should wear a bandage. Those who expect twins, it is necessary from the 14th week of pregnancy.
Harbingers of Childbirth
The second pregnancy and the second birth are no longer very scary for the future mother, because she is already familiar with many nuances and features. A woman can notice the harbingers herself; the help of a doctor is not necessary at all. Here are some of them and their characteristic features:
- Departure of the mucous plug. It is a fairly abundant lump of mucus with blood streaks. It can come out in parts, but signals that labor can begin both in a few hours and days. With repeated pregnancy, it is difficult to determine when childbirth will occur after the cork has passed. Only a gynecologist can answer this question, based on the readiness of the cervix.
- Training fights can last the whole third trimester, and in some mothers they even begin at the end of the second. If they are painless or the pain is moderate and constant, then you should not worry, and you do not need to go to the hospital yet.
- Pain in a second pregnancy in the lumbar. It should be noted that after 35 years this symptom may be of a normal nature, not necessarily being a harbinger of childbirth. A bandage helps to avoid such a pain symptom.
- Dramatic weight loss and frequent urination. A future mom may notice that she began to visit the toilet quite often. The woman’s body is left with excess fluid, this is due to the pressure of the fetus, which has taken a “exit” position, which puts pressure on the mother’s bladder.
- The baby may be less active, but it is very important to ensure that he moves. If you do not feel any movement for several hours, you should immediately consult a doctor.
There is an opinion that the second pregnancy ends earlier in childbirth. This is a false statement, as second and subsequent babies can be born at 38, 39, 40, or even 42 weeks. Of course, a woman in childbirth is rarely brought up to the maximum term, more often they resort to artificial stimulation of childbirth or preparation of the cervix.
Birth and pregnancy
The neck of a woman who is not going to give birth for the first time is prepared for disclosure earlier than at 40 weeks. Do not worry, because the fetus begins to be considered fully developed from 38 weeks.
The way the second pregnancy and childbirth pass, most often depends on the presence of pathologies, for example, high blood pressure, which is dangerous not only for the child, but also for the mother. Often in such cases, consider the option of cesarean section.
According to statistics, second births are faster and easier, and this is primarily due to the reduction in the time interval of labor.
But do not forget that labor is easier only if the previous child was born 2-3 years before the new conception. Since the body tends to forget about what happened about 5 years ago.
Despite the kind of pregnancy, it must be planned in advance. This will help to avoid a lot of problems and troubles!