The second generation is easier than the first: truth or myth

The second pregnancy, as a rule, is noticeably different from the first. At least an experienced mother knows what to expect at each stage. And how different second births are depends on many factors.

Obstetricians and gynecologists claim that second births usually proceed faster than first ones, and in most cases are easier. According to experts, this is due to the fact that our body already knows what it "must do", and in principle, is better prepared for the birth process. But everything is not so simple and unambiguous, because many factors can affect the birth process.

Age at second pregnancy

The older a woman is, the more likely she is to have a complicated pregnancy and a difficult birth. Moreover, this applies not only to the second, but also to any pregnancy. It is necessary to understand that this biological fact is not a sentence or a catastrophe at all, but an excuse to treat your body more carefully, to contact the doctor who monitors the pregnancy more closely.

Usually, repeated pregnancies are easier. Since this is an already passed stage for most women who already have experience of pregnancy and childbirth. Although it is important to understand that pregnancy complications depend on the age of the woman. If she is younger than 20 or older than 30, it is more complicated. Here, the conditions in which a woman carries a child and gives birth, as well as her own perception of this state, are important. E. Berezovskaya

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The size of the fetus in the second pregnancy

As a rule, the second baby is much larger than the first, and this can also affect the course of childbirth. But it is important that the mother already knows how to behave correctly during pregnancy, how to prepare for childbirth and what to expect after the baby is born. And the good news is that during the second birth, the birth canal is more elastic, and the cervix opens faster.

The time between the first and second births

Obstetricians and gynecologists believe that the optimal difference between the first and second pregnancy is 2-4 years. During this time, the female body is completely restored, but at the same time, the "memory" of childbirth is not lost. If pregnancy occurs earlier than in an hour, the body is not yet ready for a new load, if after 10 years, all experience and "memory" of the body is lost. In both cases, second births can be even more difficult than the first.

• If the second pregnancy occurred less than 5-6 years after the first birth, then you need to be prepared for the fact that there will most likely be no training contractions before the birth. Second births often begin abruptly, contractions are stronger, but their course accelerates.

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Age of the woman in labor

Yes, this factor also affects the course of labor (both first and subsequent). Specialists say that women over 38 years old can have a harder time with pregnancy and childbirth. This is due to the growing number of all kinds of chronic diseases that tend to accumulate with age. But, of course, this moment is very individual - if you are attentive to your body, you can be healthy at any age.

It would seem that the more births there are, the easier it is to give birth. But in fact, it turned out that the level of complications during childbirth largely depends on the age of women. Therefore, the third, fourth, and fifth births can be worse than the first and second. The interval between births (number of years) does not play a special role. Also, with repeated pregnancies, the weight and size of the fetus can be larger, which can also be accompanied by longer labor and a number of complications.
However, you always need to tune in for easy childbirth! AND. Berezovskaya

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Psychological attitude before the second childbirth

No matter how your first birth went, you are already an experienced mother and know what to expect and are mentally prepared that something may not go according to plan. As a rule, according to the observations of obstetricians, women invite their partners to their second births much more often than to their first, and they already know what his function should be. A woman who was subjected to midwifery aggression and humiliation during her first childbirth will not repeat her sad experience and will turn to the hospital where she is guaranteed attentive treatment. All this affects the course of childbirth in the same way as the initial positive attitude without illusions.