What Does A Traumatic First Birth Mean For Your Second Time Trying?

Disclaimer: This is a partnered post. Let’s face it, ladies, birth is a pretty extreme physical undertaking, and things don’t always go according to plan. You could have the dream peaceful home birth in mind and end up lying on an operating table within just a few hours. The process really is that unpredictable but, once our babies are in our arms, most of us would argue that it’s worth it.

Still, considering a second child can seem daunting for those who had a traumatic birth the first time around. You wouldn’t give up your child for the world, but are you willing to go through it all again? Is your body even capable? 

The good news is that countless women bounce back from a traumatic first birth for a better experience the second time around. And, there’s nothing to say that you, too, couldn’t have a fantastic second delivery for the happy and healthy family that you desire.

Talk To Your Doctor

Talking to your doctor should be your first port of call, especially if medical conditions like preeclampsia played a role in your first birth or you had a cesarean. It may be, for instance, that your doctor can prescribe you something during conception to help you have a healthier pregnancy. If you’re dealing with lasting implications from your first birth/c-section, this is also your chance to get recommendations for IVF or other such plans which could see you getting pregnant again regardless. And, of course, that medical opinion will help to calm you for a positive path through your second pregnancy from the start. 

Work Through Your Trauma

Any woman who experiences what’s deemed as a ‘traumatic birth’ here in the UK is offered counselling services after the event, but many turn it down in the afterglow of your firstborn. Sadly, there’s a real chance that thinking about getting pregnant again will bring some of those emotions to the forefront.

If this is the case, it may be worth seeking those counselling services after all. By talking through what happened last time, you should be much better able to embark on a second pregnancy at last.

Use Your Knowledge To Build A Better Birth

That said, you may want to take a few precautionary steps this time to ensure your experience truly is better. And, we’re going to take a peek at what exactly they are.

As a first time mum, you probably didn’t know much. You likely went along with that induction unaware of the risks, or even went into birth entirely unprepared from a mental standpoint. By using this knowledge as you prepare/plan for this birth, you can build a much better experience. That might mean holding off on an induction or opting for an elective c-section. It may even simply mean bringing ease to the process with positive hypnobirthing affirmations. Either way, within your power to avoid a repeat performance. And, holding onto all your first-time knowledge could well be what encourages you to try for a second baby, after all.