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Differences between first pregnancy and second

1
Just over a year after giving birth and a week after celebrating the baby boy’s first birthday, I found out I was pregnant again. The idea of two babies under two was suddenly a reality and one that just as suddenly terrified me. But first of all, I have to deal with being pregnant with a baby in tow. I thought being pregnant the first time around was hard but I had no idea just how different it would the second time. For me, these are the main differences between my first and second pregnancy:

Me time

First time around, I could pamper myself,

SelfishMother.com
2
have a rest and put my feet up whenever I wanted.

Second time, the only time I have a chance to put my feet up is once the baby boy is in bed (or napping). And then, I have a million other things I should be doing – washing for the millionth time, cleaning, clearing toys.

Googling

First time around, I googled EVERYTHING. And I mean, EVERYTHING. Strange twinge in side? Googled it. Gassy feeling or movement? Googled it. What can I eat/not eat? Googled.

Second time, I barely have time to respond to texts these days – Google is a distant

SelfishMother.com
3
memory.

Worrying

Sort of the same thing. But first time around, I worried about everything.

Second time, did I mention that I just don’t have the time?! If I stop and think for a moment, then I do start to worry about things again. But this is one of the few advantages of the second time around, that I don’t really have too much time to worry about the baby. Sorry number 2 – I have a feeling this might be a sign of things to come.

The bump

First time around, I could have hidden my pregnancy for at least four months without anyone

SelfishMother.com
4
realising there was a baby growing in there!

Second time, yeah, there was no hiding the bump this time! By 13 weeks it was already well and truly there and the maternity jeans were busted out.

Awareness

First time around, all I could think about was the baby growing inside me.

Second time, I suddenly catch a glimpse of myself in a mirror and am surprised by the bump and have to remind myself I’m pregnant.

Expectations

First time around, I was so so naïve. I thought I’d sail blissfully through pregnancy with a wonderful glow. I was

SelfishMother.com
5
shocked when I was sick almost constantly for the first 20 or so weeks. I was shocked when my legs, feet, hands, fingers and everywhere else swelled to massive proportions nearing the end of my pregnancy. I was shocked when my birth plan went out of the window within minutes of arriving at the hospital. Essentially, I was totally unprepared.

Second time, I know what to expect and actually, it feels so much easier. So far. But I’m not under any illusions that come the third trimester I won’t be huge and exhausted and grumpy. But I’m prepared. I

SelfishMother.com
6
know what to expect this time.

Pregnancy announcement

First time around, I agonised over when to tell family and friends our joyous news. And how to tell them. We told parents before 12 weeks but waited to tell everyone else until after our first scan.

Second time, I realised that actually, if anything happened in those early weeks, I would need my friends and family to help me through it. So I told the most important people in my life almost right away.

Maternity wear

First time around, I wanted to buy all the maternity clothes. I

SelfishMother.com
7
didn’t realise that I wouldn’t need them for at least 4/5 months and then it would be a different season and I’d be baking in the all the maternity jumpers and jeans I’d bought.

Second time, maternity jeans and leggings are a must but everything else is just oversized. I’m also conscious of ensuring that anything new can be used to breastfeed in after too but I definitely won’t be updating my entire wardrobe, I already have lots of bits that I can use.

Shopping and nursery preparation

First time around, I couldn’t wait to start

SelfishMother.com
8
shopping for my new baby. I cooed for hours over teeny tiny baby grows and spent months curating the perfect Pinterest boards to inspire my baby’s nursery.

Second time, I know that the baby will be in with us for months and so sorting out the nursery is not a priority. I also know that we have boxes of teeny tiny baby grows that have barely been worn (babies grow, don’t you know?!) and so I certainly don’t need to be spending any money on new ones!

What were the differences you experienced? And if you’re expecting for the first time, you

SelfishMother.com
9
will quickly tire of all those people telling you relax and enjoy it but, seriously… relax and enjoy it!
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- 21 Oct 17

Just over a year after giving birth and a week after celebrating the baby boy’s first birthday, I found out I was pregnant again. The idea of two babies under two was suddenly a reality and one that just as suddenly terrified me. But first of all, I have to deal with being pregnant with a baby in tow. I thought being pregnant the first time around was hard but I had no idea just how different it would the second time. For me, these are the main differences between my first and second pregnancy:

Me time

First time around, I could pamper myself, have a rest and put my feet up whenever I wanted.

Second time, the only time I have a chance to put my feet up is once the baby boy is in bed (or napping). And then, I have a million other things I should be doing – washing for the millionth time, cleaning, clearing toys.

Googling

First time around, I googled EVERYTHING. And I mean, EVERYTHING. Strange twinge in side? Googled it. Gassy feeling or movement? Googled it. What can I eat/not eat? Googled.

Second time, I barely have time to respond to texts these days – Google is a distant memory.

Worrying

Sort of the same thing. But first time around, I worried about everything.

Second time, did I mention that I just don’t have the time?! If I stop and think for a moment, then I do start to worry about things again. But this is one of the few advantages of the second time around, that I don’t really have too much time to worry about the baby. Sorry number 2 – I have a feeling this might be a sign of things to come.

The bump

First time around, I could have hidden my pregnancy for at least four months without anyone realising there was a baby growing in there!

Second time, yeah, there was no hiding the bump this time! By 13 weeks it was already well and truly there and the maternity jeans were busted out.

Awareness

First time around, all I could think about was the baby growing inside me.

Second time, I suddenly catch a glimpse of myself in a mirror and am surprised by the bump and have to remind myself I’m pregnant.

Expectations

First time around, I was so so naïve. I thought I’d sail blissfully through pregnancy with a wonderful glow. I was shocked when I was sick almost constantly for the first 20 or so weeks. I was shocked when my legs, feet, hands, fingers and everywhere else swelled to massive proportions nearing the end of my pregnancy. I was shocked when my birth plan went out of the window within minutes of arriving at the hospital. Essentially, I was totally unprepared.

Second time, I know what to expect and actually, it feels so much easier. So far. But I’m not under any illusions that come the third trimester I won’t be huge and exhausted and grumpy. But I’m prepared. I know what to expect this time.

Pregnancy announcement

First time around, I agonised over when to tell family and friends our joyous news. And how to tell them. We told parents before 12 weeks but waited to tell everyone else until after our first scan.

Second time, I realised that actually, if anything happened in those early weeks, I would need my friends and family to help me through it. So I told the most important people in my life almost right away.

Maternity wear

First time around, I wanted to buy all the maternity clothes. I didn’t realise that I wouldn’t need them for at least 4/5 months and then it would be a different season and I’d be baking in the all the maternity jumpers and jeans I’d bought.

Second time, maternity jeans and leggings are a must but everything else is just oversized. I’m also conscious of ensuring that anything new can be used to breastfeed in after too but I definitely won’t be updating my entire wardrobe, I already have lots of bits that I can use.

Shopping and nursery preparation

First time around, I couldn’t wait to start shopping for my new baby. I cooed for hours over teeny tiny baby grows and spent months curating the perfect Pinterest boards to inspire my baby’s nursery.

Second time, I know that the baby will be in with us for months and so sorting out the nursery is not a priority. I also know that we have boxes of teeny tiny baby grows that have barely been worn (babies grow, don’t you know?!) and so I certainly don’t need to be spending any money on new ones!

What were the differences you experienced? And if you’re expecting for the first time, you will quickly tire of all those people telling you relax and enjoy it but, seriously… relax and enjoy it!

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I'm a first time mum, blogging about my adventures over at The trainee mum. I'm totally winging it and loving it! Right now my life is consumed entirely by this tiny little boy which is overwhelming and wonderful all at once. I'm hoping at some point in the future, I'll remember who I was again!

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