William B. Hammett, MD
Obstetrics/Gynecology
Central Ohio OB/GYN
551 W Central Ave
Delaware, OH 43015
Phone (740) 368-5577

Q: Comparing pregnancies - are there differences in the second pregnancy?

A: The expression "every pregnancy is different" is in fact quite true.
Women in their second pregnancy will often appreciate movement earlier and notice their expanding abdomen sooner.  Many of the discomforts of early pregnancy are often made more challenging as the added responsibility of taking care of a child can reduce a women's ability to rest.

The good news, however, is that labor and delivery is usually a much quicker process with the second delivery, on average a full 4 hours quicker if the first child was born vaginally.  With the faster, easier labor, we see fewer complications such as infection or fetal distress. Episiotomies and vaginal tears are less common with second pregnancies.

Many women are often concerned when the second pregnancy does not mirror the first. In fact rarely are pregnancies exactly the same and an open line of communication between the patient and physician or midwife is the best strategy towards obtaining a healthy obstetrical outcome.