Labor During Second Pregnancy – How It Differs From The First
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Pregnancy comes with a lot of mixed experiences. Being pregnant has its perks, but it also comes with pretty stressful events. After the first one, you would expect to become familiar with the process, and the second one shouldn’t be any struggle.
But this isn’t always the case. Experiences during the first and second pregnancies differ significantly. The reason for this difference is that pregnancies are unique, just like your body is.
It’s possible that you may feel more tired, have terrible back pain, and may experience Braxton-Hicks contractions early. Your labor may progress faster and postpartum recovery may take a longer time. But irrespective of these changes, you can easily anticipate and be prepared for what lies ahead if this isn’t your first time being pregnant.
It really doesn’t matter if you had a disappointing first labor; you can simply try out a different birth plan to ease up the pressure on you for your second. A second pregnancy definitely has its differences, and you may be in for a surprise both physically and mentally. You can certainly not expect your second pregnancy to be a carbon copy of your first.
Hence, it’s normal that you have different experiences on many counts during your first and second pregnancy.
How Labor During The Second Pregnancy Differs From The First
Labor during your first and second pregnancies can differ in the following ways:
Baby Movement
For your first pregnancy, you would have felt your baby’s kick or movement around the fifth month. According to the NHS (1), you can feel your baby move as early as 16 weeks during your second pregnancy. This is probably because you already know what a baby’s movement feels like.
Lower Baby Positioning
Babies take different positions during pregnancy (2). Since second-time mums are already familiar with the whole deal, they may feel their baby move in a lower position in the abdomen during their second pregnancy.
Familiarity With False Contractions Or Braxton-Hicks Contractions
According to a research published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, Braxton-Hicks refers to sporadic contractions and relaxation of the uterine muscles (3). You should be familiar with this from your first pregnancy. They are likely to begin when you’re six weeks pregnant. Although, you wouldn’t have noticed it until the end of the 3rd trimester because of all the changes your body undergoes during pregnancy. For your second pregnancy, however, you will notice false contractions easily (4).
Early Labor
According to Mayo Clinic (5), labor occurs in different stages. Women who became pregnant for the first time typically go into labor in the 41st week. But for second pregnancies, labor may come earlier.
Labor Isn’t Easier, But…
As stated earlier, the first and second pregnancies differ on many levels. According to the NCT (6), your first pregnancy wouldn’t make labor during the second pregnancy easier. But, your first delivery will help you know when to push; thus, smoothening the process.
Increased Awareness Of Impending Labor
Your first delivery will make you understand the difference between false contractions and real labor. As such, you will not be caught unawares, and you can get to the hospital well prepared.
Labor Signs
According to the NHS (7), the following are signs it’s time for your delivery:
- Discharge (mucus) increases and becomes lighter
- Reduced baby activity
- Contractions and increased pain as they become frequent
- An urge to use the toilet due to baby’s head movement on your bowels
- Water breaking
For all the differences that exist between the first and second pregnancies, there are similarities in experiences as well. You may have some similar experiences in your first and second pregnancies.
Many mothers who are pregnant the second time have anxiety about their labor because of their past experience and what they’ve learned recently. It’s also not surprising to learn that second-time pregnant mothers are open to more possibilities with the knowledge that labor isn’t a predictable course. This also provides an opportunity for second-timers to focus on their pregnancy and their spouse.
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