Second pregnancy: features, sensations and signs

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Second pregnancies and births may not be the same as the first. It is believed that the body is able to remember, so it is easier to bear a second and subsequent child than the first child. However, the situation is not always favorable.

Some features of pregnancy

Pregnancy with a second child can be very different from the first, and may be very similar. Such a process takes place individually, it is impossible to predict the course of events.

Standard symptoms in early pregnancy may be the same as in the first pregnancy, or may change:

• may not have early nausea or breast swelling;
• there is a risk of varicose veins;
• most often the second birth is easier, the attempts are not long, and the delivery of the fetus is easier;
• postpartum recovery is much faster;
• Earlier pelvic divergence.

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 time for conception is2 or 3 years after the first birth. During this time, the body manages to return to normal and replenish the supply of vitamins and minerals. For those who gave birth by caesarean section, according to the doctor's recommendations, it is better to wait for a period of more than 3 years.

Becoming pregnant for the second time, you must strictly monitor weight gain and strictly follow the doctor's recommendations. If your firstborn can't wait to climb into your arms, first sit down, straighten your legs, then rise up.

What is the difference between the second and the first pregnancy

There is no denying the fact that the second pregnancy is more difficult. Mom already has a child, she cannot afford to enjoy this state as for the first time. A huge amount of time during the day is spent on classes with the first-born, 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 the fact that the body is designed so that the memory of the first pregnancy is erased after 5-7 years, a new conception will have to be experienced in the same way as for the first time.

If the birth of a new life occurred with a short interval after the first birth, then the body will work in exhaustion mode. A short period of time is not enough to restore and replenish vitamins and microelements by the body. Therefore, unfortunately, a lack of essential minerals and anemia will accompany the second pregnancy.

If the first birth was by cesarean

Today, a lot depends on the term of conception and in advanceplanned pregnancy. Caesarean section during the first pregnancy is not always a contraindication to independent second birth.

If about a year or more than 10 years have passed since the birth of the first child, then the obstetrician will most likely prefer 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.

Besides, if the mother is absolutely he althy, then the doctors will even insist on independent childbirth, as the woman's body recovers much faster after them.

After 30 years

Beginning a second pregnancy at age 30 or older is a little alarming for most women. Relatively recently, expectant mothers who gave birth at that age were classified as old-bearers. Today, the criteria for this have changed a bit.

Today, there is an opinion among doctors that if a woman takes care of her he alth, then pregnancy at the age of 30-35 will take place according to the standard scheme. Most often, this reasoning refers to the representatives of the weaker sex, in whom the first pregnancy and childbirth occurred without complications, and by the age of conception no pathological processes had formed.

After 35

Second pregnancy after the age of 35 is a great danger, there is no point in arguing. According to medical research, the risk of having a child with a genetic disorder withincreases every year. The cells of the expectant mother age, and this is fraught with the development of defects that can have a negative impact on the developing embryo.

In addition, the observation of pregnancy after 35 years of age should be under the strict control of a geneticist who is able to diagnose pathologies of the development of the child in the womb in time and take appropriate measures.

Ideally, a couple should undergo a medical examination before planning a pregnancy. After conducting all the necessary tests, the doctor will make a verdict and predictions about the birth of a he althy baby. And if there are risks, he will try to minimize them.

Does the belly grow faster than the first pregnancy

There is an opinion that the second pregnancy is more difficult for the abdominal muscles. In fact, things are different. The belly 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 descends much earlier.

If you have previously noticed a prolapse, then you should wear a bandage. For those who are expecting twins, it is needed from the 14th week of pregnancy.

Harbingers of childbirth

The second pregnancy and the second birth are no longer very frightening for the expectant mother, because she is already familiar with many of the nuances and features. A woman can notice the harbingers herself, the help of a doctor in this is not at all necessary. Here are some of them and their salient features:

1. The passage of the mucous plug. Representsrather abundant lump of mucus with blood streaks. It can come out in parts, but it signals that labor activity can begin both in a few hours and days. With a second pregnancy, it is difficult to determine when childbirth will occur after the cork is released. Only a gynecologist can answer this question, based on the readiness of the cervix.
2. Training contractions can continue throughout the third trimester, and for 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.
3. Pain during the second pregnancy in the lumbar. It should be noted that after 35 years, this symptom may be of a normal nature, not necessarily a harbinger of childbirth. A bandage helps to avoid such a painful symptom.
4. Dramatic weight loss and frequent urination. The expectant mother may notice that she has begun to visit the toilet quite often. The body of a woman leaves excess fluid, this is due to the pressure of the fetus, which has taken a position "to the exit", which puts pressure on the mother's bladder.
5. Baby may be less active, but it's important to keep him moving. 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, since the second and subsequent babies can be born at 38, 39, 40 or even 42 weeks. Of course, up to the maximuma woman in labor is rarely brought to term, more often they resort to artificial stimulation of labor or preparation of the cervix.

The course of childbirth and pregnancy

The cervix of a woman who is going to give birth not for the first time is prepared for disclosure earlier than 40 weeks. Do not worry, because a fully developed fetus begins to be considered from 38 weeks.

The way the second pregnancy and childbirth goes, 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, the option of a caesarean section is considered.

According to statistics, the second birth is faster and easier, and this is primarily due to the reduction in the time interval of contractions.

But do not forget that labor activity is easier only if the previous child was born 2-3 years before the new conception. Since the body tends to forget what happened about 5 years ago.

Despite the pregnancy, it must be planned in advance. This will help to avoid a lot of problems and troubles!