I am a mom of an almost 4-year-old boy and pregnant with my second one. Currently nearing completion of the 7th month of pregnancy. Before planning for a second child, I never thought a second pregnancy would be so different from the first one. I thought things would be easier, better & manageable as now I am stay at home mom. I was working when I was pregnant with the first one.
So here I am sharing my experience on how my second pregnancy is different from the first one.
1. Time to conceive
I conceived my first child within 2 months of trying. For the second pregnancy, it took almost 5 months. I had to regularly track fertility windows and plan things around them. I am not saying that all the ladies will take time to conceive for the second time. But as you age your fertility decreases. I was 28 when I conceived the first time and 33 when I conceived the second. Your age does matter.
2. Knowledge of Prenatal vitamins
While planning for a second pregnancy, I was aware of folic acid and Iron requirements. I knew the importance of a healthy lifestyle. So, I started folic acid supplements with the doctor’s advice as soon as we thought of having a second child. With the first one, I thought stopping contraceptives was the only requirement to have a baby. I had zero knowledge of the importance of prenatal vitamins.
Planning Pregnancy – 6 things to do – Happy Mom Happy Family
3. Less number of surprises
While every pregnancy is different, you kind of know what to expect when it’s your second time. Dizziness, nausea, and morning sickness are no surprises. Though my first pregnancy was easier, I managed morning sickness and other pregnancy-related ailments more confidently without panicking.
4. Already know what to expect during monthly checkups with the doctor
Now I know what is happening with my body. I know what the things of concern are. I don’t bombard doctors with a lot of questions. Discussions with the doctor are usually to the point.
Not forgetting to mention, vaginal ultrasound was not a surprise second time as I had already done it earlier. So, I was a little less hesitant.
5. Self-Care during pregnancy -Diet
I am not very happy to admit it, but as for my second pregnancy I feel I am taking less care of myself then for the first time. During first pregnancy I tried to do everything right. Ate fruits, soaked nuts, dairy regularly. But as of now for my second pregnancy, I am barely surviving on regular 3 healthy meals. Snacks are not as planned. I never remember to soak dry fruits overnight. And I am never hungry for a fruit.
6. Self-Care during pregnancy -Exercise
Again, first pregnancy was well managed with healthy lifestyle, regular prenatal classes and exercise.
Though, there isn’t a great need of prenatal classes when it’s your second time, doing regular exercise is a big challenge.
7. Stress
Most self-care challenges are due to the fact that I am handling second pregnancy with another 3-year-old baby boy. Stress of managing the household and the baby puts your self-care goals to toss.
Though ideally, I should be paying good attention to myself. But when my elder one throws a tantrum, everything from mental peace to physical exercise is ruined.
If you are pregnant while handling a toddler or a preschooler, stress levels could be very high. Things can only be manageable if you have good family support.
I am not putting blame on elder children here. Having pregnant mom limits lots of things for them too. Like pregnant mom can’t lift them up or can’t run with them. Also, they may not know what to expect when we tell them that another baby will be coming home.
Get help from your loved ones and spend as much quality time as possible with your elder children.
8. Aches and Pains
Aches and pains are more prominent during current pregnancy. Can’t comment if its due to increased age or weaker muscles or less self-care. But pregnancy blues can be at higher side during second time.
9. Knows what to expect during delivery
During first pregnancy, we only know what we see in YouTube videos. But during second delivery, we know to expect. So, we are more prepared. I wouldn’t say less scared though.
Also, they say, second deliveries are easier than first ones. Fingers crossed….
10. More confident for newborn care
When I delivered and held my first child, it was the first time I had held any newborn. I had zero experience with babies. Everything was new to me. I was totally dependent on my aunt for baby care.
Things are different with the second one though. I am more confident this time. Of course, I would need help from others, but at least now I know how to hold and feed the baby.
The worry right now isn’t how I will take care of newborn, the worry is how I will manage my elder while taking care of newborn.
