Although many women are mentally stronger and more confident during their second pregnancy, it is important that you realize that not everything will be the same as during the first, especially in relation to labor. Your body has undergone many changes since the birth of your first baby, so your second pregnancy and associated labor may be completely different from the previous experience. It is therefore a good idea to prepare yourself for these differences in order to learn to understand when you are in labor.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Recognizing the Signs of Labor
Step 1. Check if you've broken the water
Usually many women realize that labor is starting when they feel that "waters are breaking". This happens when the amniotic membranes rupture spontaneously. This event triggers uterine contractions.
Step 2. Keep track of each contraction you feel and its frequency
You may initially hear them every ten to fifteen minutes, but over time they will reduce to every 2 or 3 minutes.
- Uterine contractions have been described as "cramps", "tension in the abdomen", "malaise" and a varying degree of pain, from mild to extreme.
- Uterine contractions during labor are measured by CTG (cardiotocography), thanks to an instrument positioned above the abdomen that measures both uterine contractions and fetal heartbeat.
Step 3. Recognize the difference between true contractions and Braxton-Hicks contractions
It is necessary to make an important distinction between true contractions and the so-called "false" or, precisely, Braxton-Hicks contractions, which occur only a few times a day, without any increase in intensity or frequency. They usually appear during the first 26 weeks of pregnancy, although they can sometimes occur later as well.
- It often happens that women experience "false" contractions late in their pregnancy, however it is possible that these contractions can suddenly turn into labor during the second gestation.
- So when you're about to become a mother for the second time, don't take Braxton-Hicks contractions lightly. They could signal actual labor.
Step 4. Check if you have lost the mucous plug
When you see that you have lost it, you can expect to go into labor within a short period of time, usually within a few hours or a couple of days.
- There will be small blood spots when you lose the mucous plug. During a second pregnancy, women tend to lose it earlier than the first.
- This is because, after the first pregnancy, the muscles that make up the cervix are naturally more relaxed and with all the rapid and frequent contractions the cervix begins to dilate at a faster rate than the previous one.
Step 5. Take a look at your belly
You may notice that it has dropped to the bottom and that you can now breathe easily. This is because the baby is descending into the pelvis, preparing for delivery.
You may also feel the need to go to the bathroom every 10-15 minutes. This is a clear indication that your baby is moving into the correct position to find his exit to the world
Step 6. Consider if your uterus feels "lighter"
Many women have been reported to feel that their baby has become "lighter". This is due to the fact that the fetus's head has descended into the pelvis to prepare for delivery.
In addition to this subjective perception, urination can become much more frequent, due to the increased pressure exerted by the fetus on the bladder
Step 7. Take note if you think the cervix is dilating
It undergoes structural and functional changes when the above events occur. In the early stages of labor, the cervix gradually dilates to allow for expulsion of the fetus.
In the beginning, the cervix is only dilated by a few centimeters. When it reaches 10 centimeters, it usually means that you are ready to give birth
Step 8. Be aware that cervical insufficiency can occur
Occurrence of dilation without uterine contractions could suggest cervical insufficiency. This happens when cervical shortening, funneling and / or cervical dilation occur during the second trimester of pregnancy. Such situations need to be evaluated promptly by a doctor, as they could adversely affect the normal development of the fetus and even cause abortion.
- Cervical insufficiency is one of the most common causes of miscarriage and premature birth during the second trimester. Consequently, its early diagnosis is very important. It can be diagnosed during routine check-ups by the doctor who is monitoring the pregnancy, after a visit and a physical examination.
- Patients with cervical insufficiency complain of mild cramps in the lower abdomen or vagina and, together with their clinical history, this can lead to this diagnosis.
- Risk factors for developing cervical insufficiency include infections, history of cervical surgery, and cervical trauma and injury that occurred during previous deliveries.
Part 2 of 3: Finding a Medical Diagnosis
Step 1. Consider doing a Fetal Fibro Nectin Test (FFNT), which is a fetal fibronectin test
If you want to find out for sure if you are actually in labor or not, there are several advanced diagnostic procedures you can opt for, including FFNT.
- This test will not be able to tell you if you are currently in labor, but it will certainly confirm if you are not. It is useful because when you are in the early stages of preterm labor, it can be very difficult to determine by symptoms or pelvic exams alone.
- A negative FFNT result will relax you and reassure you that you won't be giving birth to your baby for at least another week or two.
Step 2. Have your cervix checked by your midwife or nurse, who will be able to feel how dilated you are by examining it
In most cases, when the midwife detects that the cervix has dilated between 1 and 3 centimeters, she will inform you that you are in the first stage of labor.
- When he feels that the cervix has dilated to an extent ranging from 4 to 7 centimeters, he will probably tell you that you have entered the active phase or second phase of labor.
- When she feels that your cervical dilation varies between 8 and 10 centimeters, she will surely tell you that it is time for the baby to come out!
Step 3. Let the midwife or nurse evaluate your baby's position
The midwife is also experienced in figuring out if your baby is facing down and if the head is engaged in the pelvis.
- The midwife might kneel to feel your lower abdomen above the bladder or insert her fingers into your genitals to feel the baby's head and determine what percentage it is put into position.
- These tests will help confirm that you are in labor and even determine where you are.
Part 3 of 3: Knowing the Key Differences Between First and Second Pregnancy
Step 1. Be aware that your pelvis may not be immediately engaged during your second labor
You will notice some differences between your first and second pregnancy which may raise a lot of questions in your mind.
- With the first pregnancy, the baby's head descends into the pelvis more quickly than in the second.
- With second pregnancies, the head may not be channeled until labor begins.
Step 2. Be prepared that second labor could potentially be faster than the first
The latter tend to proceed faster and last less than the former.
- This is because, during the first labor, the muscles of the cervix are thicker and it takes longer for them to dilate, while in the following parts the cervix dilates faster. In a second labor, the vaginal and pelvic floor muscles are already relaxed from the previous birth and have become softer.
- This helps your second baby to arrive easier and make the later stages of labor less difficult for you.
Step 3. Get in a position that reduces the chance of having an episiotomy
If it was done to you during your first birth or if you suffered from lacerations and are still traumatized by the experience, the best tip for avoiding it with your second baby is to stand upright and push while you are in the second stage of birth. labor.
- When you assume a vertical position, you are actually using Newton's simple scientific theory of gravity: it is the force that expels your baby into this world without any cuts or lacerations of your body!
- However, it's not a foolproof way to avoid an episiotomy. For some women it must be practiced anyway, despite having followed these precautions.
