What To Expect During Your Second Labour
July 9, 2009
Labour is a painful experience. All women who go through labour attest to this fact. During labour most women would say they don’t wish to go through such excruciating pain again.
However, the sight of the baby makes them forget all the pain and some start wishing for a second child immediately. But a second child means going through a second labour.
The question that comes to mind when you are getting close to the delivery date, in the case of a second labour is whether it will be as painful as the first time. The thought of it could be frightening to some women. Will the second labour be easier than the first?
Second is easier
It has been established that generally, a second labour is easier than the first one. According to Patrick O’Brien a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, a lot of evidence exists to prove that women who are having their second child can expect an easier and a quicker process.
In addition, there might not be the need for assistance methods like forceps and ventuose, and there might not be any stitches at all.
But there are certain exceptions to this
Those who had a planned Caesarean section during their first birth should not expect things to be easy. This is because a planned Caesarean section means that they actually did not go through labour. That means there was no dilation of the cervix, which remains intact. It means that they are actually naturally giving birth for the first time although they are having their second child.
Emergency Caesarean sections
However, those who had emergency Caesarean sections can expect things to be easier because they had gone through the natural process to some extent. The body had gone through the dilation process and the body is used to it.
Induced first labour
Those who were induced during their first labour should not expect that they will be overdue during their second labour, experts generally agree on this.
If you are having a second labour, know and remember that you have the right to choose to wait longer before you are induced; except in cases where there are issues with safety.






















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