"You could go from having a 24 hour or more labor for the first time around, and three hours the second," she said. "It's because it's the first time these things have happened within your body. It's the first time those body parts have acted that way.
Coping with your baby
Most people find the first six to eight weeks to be the hardest with a new baby. And, although people may not openly discuss many of the challenges in these early weeks of parenthood (if at all), there are a number of common hurdles you may face at this time.
First babies are less likely to be “on time” at 39 weeks, and more likely to be a little late, between 41 and 43 weeks. Among full-term pregnancies, first babies are born about 1.3 days later on average.
Will my second birth be less painful? Although the sensations of the contractions are likely to be the same, most women say that they are able to cope with them more easily. Knowing what to expect and preparing beforehand play a role in this. As labour is often shorter, you won't feel so tired either .
A water birth is thought to be less painful and more relaxed for many women. It allows the woman to move into a variety of positions that can feel more natural and less painful.
An en caul birth, also known as a “mermaid birth” or “veiled birth”, is when the baby comes out still inside or partially wrapped in the amniotic sac. This happens in only 1 in 80,000 births, making it extremely rare.
Transition phase of labor
It's when the cervix completely dilates to a full 10 centimeters, and is the shortest – but generally considered the hardest – part of labor. If this is your first time giving birth, transition may take up to a few hours, or it may progress quickly.
While we can discuss risk factors and your chances of another vaginal tear, it's all very much a roll of the dice. Because every birth experience is so different, it's impossible to predict if you'll definitely tear again.
For first-time moms, it can last from 12 to 19 hours. It may be shorter (about 14 hours) for moms who've already had children. It's when contractions become strong and regular enough to cause your cervix to dilate (open) and thin out (efface).
Second babies are easier to deliver than first babies. Why? Lots of reasons: Our uteruses get smarter and figure out how to do the job. All the muscles, tissues and bones have already stretched out making it easier for the baby to descend.
First, which month has the least birthdays? The data comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Social Security Administration. The rarest month to be born in is February, making Aquarius the rarest zodiac sign. February is the shortest month of the year, even with a leap year.
Most babies (91%) in Australia are born at term (37–41 weeks). This is similar across the states and territories and has been stable over time.
The researchers found that 50% of all women giving birth for the first time gave birth by 40 weeks and 5 days, while 75% gave birth by 41 weeks and 2 days.
First-born kids tend to be leaders, like CEOS and founders, and are more likely to achieve traditional success. Middle-born children often embody a mix of the traits of older and younger siblings, and they're very relationship-focused.
The first three months with your baby often seem the hardest. Sleep-deprived parents can feel overwhelmed, but that is normal and you will quickly learn how to read your baby's cues and personality. Don't worry about “spoiling” your baby at this stage. The more responsive you are, the more secure your baby will feel.
In fact, age 8 is so tough that the majority of the 2,000 parents who responded to the 2020 survey agreed that it was the hardest year, while age 6 was better than expected and age 7 produced the most intense tantrums.
While the experience is different for everyone, labor can sometimes feel like extremely strong menstrual cramps that get progressively more and more intense as time goes on1.
Yes, childbirth is painful. But it's manageable. In fact, nearly half of first-time moms (46 percent) said the pain they experienced with their first child was better than they expected, according to a nationwide survey commissioned by the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) in honor of Mother's Day.
Pain During Labor and Delivery
Pain during labor is caused by contractions of the muscles of the uterus and by pressure on the cervix. This pain can be felt as strong cramping in the abdomen, groin, and back, as well as an achy feeling. Some women experience pain in their sides or thighs as well.
First-degree tears are small and skin-deep. Second-degree tears are deeper and affect the muscle of your perineum. Third-degree tears also involve the muscle that controls your anus (the anal sphincter)
Weight gain, stretch marks and relaxed tummy muscles are the most common complaints. While there's no rule that says your body won't recover the second or third time, for lots of mums it's harder because there's simply less time to exercise!
According to a survey conducted by the American Society of Anesthesiologists, around 50% of birthing parents between 18 and 39 said that contractions were the most painful part of labor and delivery. But 1 in 5 had a different take and said that pushing and post-delivery were the most painful.
Ultimately, a natural birth may be more painful than a cesarean section. However, the pain after your cesarean section combined with the heightened risks to you and your baby may outweigh the initial pain of childbirth.