Does the cervix open faster with the second pregnancy?

Women tend to be more relaxed after becoming pregnant with their second child, especially as they do not have too much psychological burden, which is related to their experience of pregnancy and childbirth. The second baby is heavier than the first. Is it because the cervix opens faster with the second baby? There are certain reasons for this. After giving birth, a woman's vagina will become looser and the cervix will also become looser, making natural childbirth easier.

1 Will the second baby be faster if the cervix is ​​opened?

The cervix will open faster for the second baby. This stage takes about 11 to 12 hours for a primipara and about 6 to 8 hours for a multipara. This is the longest stage of the entire labor process. From the start of labor pains to the birth of the baby, the labor process for a first pregnancy is generally 10 to 20 hours, and the labor process for a second pregnancy is generally half as short as that for a first pregnancy. Therefore, mothers of second children cannot rely solely on the experience of their first child when giving birth. As long as there are signs of labor such as spotting, water breaking, and uterine contractions, they should go to the hospital immediately to prepare for delivery. Pregnant women with a history of emergency labor should be especially vigilant to avoid giving birth on the way. Therefore, the cervix will dilate faster for the second baby.

2 Will the second baby be born faster if the cervix is ​​dilated?

Regular uterine contractions: At the beginning of labor, uterine contractions are weak, last for a short time (about 30 seconds), and have longer intervals (about 5 to 6 minutes). As labor progresses, the intensity of uterine contractions increases, the duration increases (about 40 to 50 seconds), and the intervals between them gradually shorten (about 2 to 3 minutes). When the cervix is ​​almost fully dilated, the contractions can last up to 60 seconds, with an interval of only 2 minutes.

Cervical dilation: It is the result of regular uterine contractions after labor. The degree of cervical dilation can be determined through rectal or vaginal examination. As uterine contractions become more frequent and stronger, the cervical canal gradually shortens until it disappears, and the cervical opening gradually dilates.

The pattern of cervical dilation is: the dilation speed is slow during the latent period, and accelerates after entering the active period. When the cervix is ​​fully dilated, the edge of the cervix disappears, and the lower segment of the uterus and the vagina form a wide cylindrical cavity, which is conducive to the passage of the fetus. If clinical observation finds that the cervix cannot dilate as expected, there may be reasons such as uterine atony, abnormal fetal position, and cephalopelvic disproportion.

Degree of fetal head descent: With uterine contractions and cervical dilation, the fetal presenting part gradually descends. At the end of the first stage of labor, the fetus can descend to 2 to 3 cm below the plane of the ischial spine and complete the process of engagement, descent, flexion, and internal rotation. The degree of descent of the fetal head is an important indicator for determining whether vaginal delivery is possible.

Rupture of membranes: also known as rupture of membranes. After the fetal presenting part is connected, the amniotic fluid is blocked into two parts, the anterior and posterior parts. The amniotic fluid in front of the fetal presenting part is called the anterior amniotic fluid, which is about 100 ml. The anterior amniotic fluid sac is called the fetal sac. During uterine contractions, the fetal sac is wedged into the cervical canal, which helps to dilate the cervix. When the pressure in the amniotic cavity increases to a certain level, the fetal membrane ruptures naturally. Normal rupture of membranes usually occurs when the cervix is ​​nearly fully dilated.