In the News
Many women find their second pregnancy differs from their first. Your body recognizes the process, so signs that were subtle in your initial pregnancy often show up earlier. “In second pregnancies, you start to look and feel pregnant much sooner – people notice, and you feel pregnant much earlier than the first time,” said Tania Lopez, CNM, a certified nurse-midwife at Pediatrix® OB Hospitalists of Texas. Urinary leakage often occurs during a second pregnancy because abdominal and pelvic floor muscles are typically stretched from the first pregnancy. “Therefore, we may experience a little laxity in the pelvic floor that is now made worse by the new baby growing and making its mark on our muscles,” said Lopez. “Thus, a little more leakage and even pressure and pain may become a common nuisance in pregnancy No. 2 and beyond.” Back pain also begins sooner and feels more intense because abdominal muscles lose tension after being stretched during the first pregnancy. “Any loss of tone in the abdominal muscles will put strain on the lower back,” explained Lopez. “Remember to protect your back when lifting and try to avoid lifting anything over 25 pounds, or you’ll definitely feel the strain on your back and pelvis.”
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