In recent years, our state has been taking measures to improve the demographic situation in the country. As a result, many families have a second child, and some decide on a third. Of course, a woman going to the maternity hospital not for the first time does not need to be explained what to take with her and what awaits her. However, a future mother of many children should know that third births have some peculiarities and be ready to give birth at an earlier date.
- 2 At what period do they usually give birth to a third baby
? 2.1 Precursors of labor
- 7.1 Video: a young mother talks about her third birth
Features of preparation
Of course, the future should not prepare for childbirth two weeks before this event. This is especially true if a woman is going to the maternity hospital for the third time. You should heed the following recommendations:
- As a rule, third births do not occur at a very young age, but most often after 35 years. At this time, a woman’s metabolism slows down. Therefore, during pregnancy, she should especially carefully monitor her diet and weight. After all, extra pounds will complicate the process of pregnancy and childbirth.
During your third pregnancy, you need to especially monitor your diet and weight so as not to gain extra pounds.
- It is advisable to strengthen the abdominal muscles at the planning stage. As a last resort, this should be done already during pregnancy, only the exercises will be lighter.
- To maintain abdominal muscles during pregnancy, it is recommended to wear a bandage.
- Be sure to train your vaginal muscles using Kegel exercises (it is enough to do them a couple of times a day). This will reduce the likelihood of ruptures during childbirth.
- As we age, the body's production of collagen and elastin slows down, making women's skin more prone to stretch marks. The use of special cosmetics will help the expectant mother of many children reduce the risk.
During the third pregnancy, the skin is more prone to the formation of stretch marks, so you need to try to prevent this problem
How long does it take to give birth to a third baby?
In most cases, a woman's third birth begins prematurely. On average, this happens 2-3 weeks earlier than the PDR, which is determined by the doctor during registration. The reason for this is primarily the weakness of the uterine muscles, which are not able to hold the fetus until the required 40 weeks.
Rare women carry their third pregnancy to term. Sometimes labor begins as early as the 36th week, that is, according to medical terminology, it is considered premature.
Childbirth during a third pregnancy can begin as early as 37 weeks, or even earlier.
Harbingers of childbirth
Signs of an approaching birth (or harbingers) for a future mother with many children will be, in principle, the same as for one who is going to the maternity hospital for the first time or again (this is a sharp weight loss, drooping of the abdomen, protrusion of the navel, decreased activity of the child in the womb, training contractions , the emergence of the nesting instinct, etc.). The key difference is the time at which these signs appear. So, if false contractions in first-time mothers begin to bother a woman 2-3 weeks before birth, then during the third pregnancy they can happen just 3-5 days before birth. Similarly, during the first pregnancy, the belly drops about a month before giving birth, and during the third, this can happen only the day before an important event.
Precursors of labor for the third time occur immediately before an important event, for example, the stomach may drop on the eve of childbirth
Therefore, knowing about the peculiarities of the onset of labor, it is better for such a pregnant woman to go to the maternity hospital immediately after the first signs appear. Even if the alarm is false, it is better than being at home or, for example, in a car at a crucial moment.
How dangerous is the third trimester of pregnancy?
The most common complications of the third trimester include:
- Fetoplacental insufficiency , in which the blood supply to the placenta and fetus is reduced. As a result, less nutrients are supplied to the fetus, which leads to slower growth and development of the child.
- Preeclampsia . This is the result of fetoplacental insufficiency, in which the pregnant woman experiences edema, weight gain, increased blood pressure, and protein appears in the urine. Preeclampsia is dangerous to the health of not only the woman, but also the child.
In addition, at 30–35 weeks the uterus stretches to its maximum, which increases the risk of premature birth (especially if the pregnancy is multiple) and the likelihood of rupture of the scar after a cesarean section in a previous pregnancy.
Pain intensity
If we talk about the pain of childbirth, then in most cases the third time the expectant mother experiences less pain (of course, provided there are no complications). This is understandable: the body is well prepared for the natural process, muscle memory reproduces its mechanism. In addition, the mother is psychologically prepared, she is not afraid of the unknown (of course, if she has not had a difficult birth in the past). The woman remembers that she needs to control herself, listen to the obstetricians’ commands, knows how to breathe, walk, massage the sacrum, etc. (all this helps reduce discomfort).
In most cases, third births are less painful, largely due to the fact that the woman is psychologically prepared for what is happening
Problems may arise when the placenta is separated. In addition to the fact that the walls of the uterus will be more flabby, stretched, there may be scars on them (from operations, previous cesarean section). Therefore, the third stage of labor can be unpleasant, especially when doctors separate the afterbirth by hand.
The good news is that children born as a result of the third birth very rarely suffer birth injuries. After all, the mother’s perineal and vaginal muscles are quite stretched - the baby’s head passes easily. However, if during a previous birth a woman was diagnosed with ruptures, then there is a chance (50%) that this will happen again this time.
Childbirth
Third births generally go faster, and the period of lactation formation proceeds easier, because the milk passages are already “open”. Due to the good extensibility of the perineal tissue during repeated births, birth trauma is significantly reduced, in particular, the number of perineal injuries is reduced.
However, with repeated births, complications such as rapid labor, postpartum hemorrhage, exacerbation of various chronic diseases, etc. are possible.
Quick birth
The third birth is characterized by easier opening of the uterine pharynx and a faster course of the birth process as a whole, i.e. A short (up to 4 hours) birth can find a woman at work, on the street, or in transport. Repeated births proceed faster than the first due to the faster opening of the cervix (uterine pharynx).
Secondary weakness of labor
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Among the features of the course of the third birth, attention is drawn to the high frequency of disturbances in labor rhythm in the form of secondary weakness of labor (in this case, the labor process is active at first, and then its speed, instead of increasing, begins to decrease). This situation may require urgent medication. The second stage of labor may be complicated by secondary weakness of labor due to overstretching of the anterior abdominal wall, often due to the pronounced development of subcutaneous fat or with a large fetus.
Some complications are also possible in the third stage of labor, when the placenta separates. Thus, due to the reduced tone of the uterine walls, difficulties may arise when separating the placenta; due to the presence of inflammatory processes in the uterine wall in the past, the placenta may be tightly attached or not completely separated. All of these conditions require manual examination of the uterus.
Features of the postpartum period
Unfortunately, a new mother of many children more often experiences complications in the postpartum period. The most common consequences of childbirth are:
- Uterine bleeding. Due to the weakness of the organ, the blood vessels there narrow more slowly. Old seams may come apart. As a result, blood is released long and abundantly. Lochia often lasts up to two months.
- Anemia. It is a consequence of the previous complication: the woman loses a lot of blood, as a result of which the hemoglobin level drops.
- Problems with veins (varicose veins, hemorrhoids).
- Endometritis (inflammation of the lining of the uterus). Due to the delay in secretions in the uterus, microorganisms begin to actively multiply, causing an inflammatory process. The disease can be recognized by a sharp rise in temperature and intense abdominal pain.
Third births are associated with a large number of complications; endometritis often develops due to retention of secretions in the uterus.
- Chronic ailments may worsen (problems with the urinary system, heart), sometimes diabetes mellitus is diagnosed for the first time (if there was a tendency to it).
In addition, after the third birth, a woman’s weight decreases more slowly, and her figure takes longer to return to its original form (again, age matters).
Problems of the third pregnancy
The third pregnancy and childbirth are characterized by a favorable course (subject to careful attitude to health and constant medical monitoring). The expectant mother does not always have the opportunity to listen to herself, relax, or sleep during the day. Caring for older children, work, and family worries take up almost all of my time. However, it is important to find time for yourself and regularly attend antenatal clinics.
Chronic diseases and their exacerbation
There are practically no absolutely healthy women after 30 years of age. The course of pregnancy can be seriously affected by chronic pathologies of the genital area - uterine fibroids, endometriosis, salpingitis, adnexitis. During pregnancy, cardiovascular diseases and gastrointestinal pathologies may worsen. Severe toxicosis, cystitis, pyelonephritis, and increased blood pressure are possible.
Iron-deficiency anemia
Lack of hemoglobin is more often observed in multiple pregnancies, short intervals between gestation processes (less than 3 years), a poor diet, and living in environmentally unfavorable areas. Anemia is classified into mild (hemoglobin volume - Hb 100-109 g/l), moderate (Hb - 80-99 g/l), severe (Hb below 80 g/l) degrees. The expectant mother may feel weakness, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, and fatigue. Unhealthy pallor appears, the skin becomes dry, and the hair becomes brittle.
Vein changes
In the later stages, problems with the back and lower back are noted: pain, heaviness, unpleasant pulling sensations. With each pregnancy, the risk of developing varicose veins in the legs increases. This is facilitated by excess weight, endocrine pathologies, and blood clotting disorders. For prevention, doctors recommend wearing anti-varicose tights and therapeutic exercises. You should keep your legs in a horizontal position more often and avoid eating foods that lead to blood thickening.
Low location of the placenta
Low placenta previa causes problems during pregnancy (uterine bleeding). During childbirth, the placenta blocks the cervix, which is why the baby cannot be born naturally. The cause of presentation is thinning of the uterine mucosa as a result of difficult previous gestations, abortions, and diagnostic curettages. This feature is often diagnosed with a history of cervicitis, endometritis, uterine fibroids, and cervical canal polyps. Low presentation often causes early labor and caesarean section.
Rhesus conflict and the likelihood of its occurrence
The likelihood of an Rh conflict is possible if a mother with a negative Rh blood factor carries a fetus with a positive indicator. Rh antibodies are formed from the 8th week of pregnancy - the time when the fetal immune system is activated. Conflict is dangerous for a child, leading him to oxygen starvation and intoxication with metabolic products.
Correction by administering immunoglobulins is required (for more details, see the article: immunoglobulin injections during pregnancy). However, even timely treatment does not always reduce the risks of pathologies and hemolytic disease in the fetus. If the antibody titer increases, early termination of pregnancy is possible, since there is a high risk of having a non-viable child. A mother with a negative Rh factor will be able to avoid Rh conflict during her third pregnancy by conceiving from the same man who gave birth to her first children.
Abdominal muscle strain
With each new pregnancy, the fetus becomes larger and larger, as a result of which the abdominal muscles become increasingly stretched. Their overexertion provokes pain in the back and lower lumbar region. Wearing a bandage partially helps solve the problem. It will support the stomach and reduce the load on the spinal column.
Postmaturity of the fetus
During the third gestation, the risk of bearing a large fetus increases by 25%. The mother's body is more prepared for childbirth and supplies the baby with sufficient amounts of nutrients. With a large baby, a woman can move around and give birth at 42 weeks or later. Indirect signs of this are a decrease in the level of amniotic fluid and low activity of the baby in the womb.
Reviews from women
My third ones were the most “painless”. A little later than the due date, so I was already in the maternity hospital, because I no longer had the strength to wait. I kept hoping for the start of RD after the examinations. But Lyokha specifically hid. Moreover, almost every night I had false contractions, I ran to the toilet... but without progress. Quiet during the day. Once the doctor looked at me in the morning and said, you walk around actively (oh, yes - I was still constantly playing around the corridors), contractions will begin - let's go give birth. I'm walking! Not a lot of contractions at all, just sipping. The doctor says, “Go up to the labor room!”…. in short, omitting all the details, I’ll say this - I stayed there for 3-4 hours (read, lay, had a CTG scan, walked), the painful period lasted for an hour at most, after the puncture of the bladder, before that I didn’t even have any stress! then she gave birth quickly. True, the pressure was somewhat low.
Ladder
https://mnogodetok.ru/viewtopic.php?t=31115
My third birth was the best and shortest. All my babies were born at 35–37 weeks. My gynecologist said that because there are a lot of certain hormones, children mature faster. Everyone was born weighing over 3.5. The first birth took 23 hours from the start of contractions to the birth of the baby. Second - 8. Third - 4 hours. Thirdly, the period of pain was only an hour. We'll have another hour until then. There was a waterless and painless period for two hours. Hmmm... The birth was good, in my comparison with my previous two. But then... I was discharged only on the 11th day, because there was severe inflammation. Now, a year later, I think that I should have done more walking around the ward and doing exercises while lying down, so that the uterus would be better cleansed…. And I was lying... I admired my daughters.
Katie
https://mnogodetok.ru/viewtopic.php?t=31115
All my births are quick and quite easy. Of the third features, I can say that I gave birth to my daughter in the car. The ambulance didn't have time to get there. The child is fine, the ambulance workers acted professionally.
Svetlana An
https://mnogodetok.ru/viewtopic.php?t=31115
The contractions with the third birth were more tolerable, so I survived them mostly at home and did not inject a stimulant. At 1 o'clock in the morning they called an ambulance, at 1.30 she had already given birth, without even tearing, so there was nothing left to tear. A year later I had plastic surgery, but that’s another story...
Personnel fairy
https://www.nn.ru/community/my_baby/my_baby/rasskazhite_pro_osobennosti_tretikh_rodov.html
It was only during my third birth that my waters broke on their own at home at exactly 00.00, small contractions began, so light that they gave me hope that the birth would also be easy. But it was not there. We arrived at the maternity hospital, did a CTG or whatever it was called, the contractions intensified, but were quite tolerable. And then it started - I’ve never had such painful contractions, just sparkles from my eyes! I don’t know how long I suffered, but the opening was 5 fingers... In general, everyone writes correctly and says that the third birth is unpredictable! The previous times I gave birth faster and less painfully.
Robinson
https://www.nn.ru/community/my_baby/my_baby/rasskazhite_pro_osobennosti_tretikh_rodov.html
My third birth was the most correct! began exactly on time, predicted by the doctor, lasted 3 hours, the child was born healthy, strong, 3100, no ruptures, did not stimulate at all. By the way, I gave birth at 39 years old...
Sei Senagon
https://www.nn.ru/community/my_baby/my_baby/rasskazhite_pro_osobennosti_tretikh_rodov.html
My second pregnancy was the easiest and my second birth was the easiest. The third ones were more difficult, because the child’s weight was greater. But in time the third ones went faster. Everything is individual. This is a unique table
Albinka
https://www.stranamam.ru/post/2407714/
The third births were a little longer, but considering that the first two births were super fast (1.5 and 2 hours), and painful, and with tears, these ones were a little longer (3 hours), softer and without a single tear. At the same time, the third child (son) was very large - 4200 grams, the first were girls - 3300 grams.
Sweet Forget-Me-Not
https://www.stranamam.ru/post/2407714/
Video: a young mother talks about her third birth
Video story about third birth
The main thing is to believe in yourself
A third pregnancy after thirty years is a serious test for the female body . However, despite all the features, complications and risks, we should not forget that the success of such an event depends primarily on the woman herself, and not on her age.
It is very important to carefully approach planning a third pregnancy after 30 years, namely:
- immediately before conception, undergo examinations, both for the expectant mother and for the father;
- if you are experiencing problems with excess weight, you need to get rid of them, as this can create additional difficulties during pregnancy and childbirth;
- balance your diet, eat healthy foods, exclude spicy foods and fast food;
- play sports or at least do a set of exercises at home, walk more;
- Don’t forget about exercises for the vaginal muscles, do Kegel exercises;
- Your body should have enough calcium, so don’t neglect vitamins;
- Remember also about psychological preparation - tune in to a good result, believe in the best, do not refuse the support of your loved ones, especially your husband and your two children.
If you are in good health, if you lead an active lifestyle, play sports, do not drink alcohol or tobacco products, if your previous pregnancies and births went well, then you have every chance of having a healthy third baby.
In addition, you already have a lot of experience behind you, which you can use for the benefit of yourself and your unborn child.
