BABY'S DREAM NURSERY BLOG

Mom Describes Second Pregnancy

Been there, done that? Not really!

Pregnancy the second time around has been an adventure. You would think that since I've been there, done that, I would have a more "veteran" state of mind and not have the normal pregnancy worries. Well, that's not really the case. While many things have changed, others remain the same.

 

Changes with friends and family:

With my first, I received calls almost daily from family members asking how I was feeling. Some of them even knew when I had appointments and remembered them. This has changed dramatically! Forget about doctor's appointments, I now have to remind them of my due date! While this doesn't describe everyone, the vast majority of family members seem rather uninterested this time around. Maybe it is because this is their second or third grandchild, maybe they the think I'm a veteran and don't need check up calls. Whatever reason, it has changed and is very noticeable to me. I can actually spend three hours at a family function where no one brings up the pregnancy or asks how I'm feeling. One day, I was talking about the pregnancy, and someone said "well, you're only a month or so along". I was about 4 months at that point.

 

Unexpected Joy:

I did not have many friends with my first; I think I had two friends at the baby shower, out of 30 women. I am blessed to have made many new friends in the past three years. I have to thank my friends for their constant support and joyfulness. If it weren't for them, I would feel like almost no one cares about this child or how I am feeling. They are sharing in my joy and excitement about the baby and will talk to me about the nursery and not brush me off. It's an amazing feeling to have friends that care.

 

How my body has reacted:

As far as pregnancy symptoms go, I have been very lucky. THANK YOU MOM! She gave me some good genes. With both children, I experienced zero morning sickness. I also have not expanded anywhere but my belly. The only symptom that kicked my butt with both kids was fatigue.

 

There have been a few different symptoms, or rather symptoms that have shown up sooner. I found out A LOT sooner than with my first. First time around, I did not have a positive test until I was 7 weeks along. This time I got a positive test at 2 weeks. I started showing earlier, but my weight gain has been right on tract. I started having Braxton Hicks contractions around 18 weeks; where with my first, I was around 30 weeks before I started feeling them. But, I have also felt kicks sooner!

 

Mental Changes:

A lot of mental and emotional energy went into my first pregnancy. This time, it takes a good kick to remind me of the process going on inside while I'm running after my toddler. I find myself not thinking about the pregnancy as much. Or, I should say not "worrying" about everything little thing that happens. I do not take as many belly pictures this time around. With my first, I took a picture almost weekly, now it's once a month. While I am thrilled to be having another child, I still have one that needs constant care and attention and all my mental energy goes to him first.

 

I have found myself worrying a lot more about how I'm going to get to the hospital. We live a lot further from the hospital than with our first. My husband also works further away. It stresses me out to think about how it will all work, but I'm sure I will make it on time, hopefully. I also worry about how our son will adjust to having a sibling and sharing me.

 

I hope to appreciate the little things more. When I hear an infant cry now, I think it is so cute, especially since I have experienced a 2 yr olds temper tantrum and know what a real cry/scream is. With my first, I kept saying "I just have to make it to 6 months". This time around, I plan on taking it slow and enjoying every little step of the way. I wished for my sons' independence, and I now I wish it didn't come so quickly.

 

I also have changed my mentality on a lot of baby rearing topics. I want to learn how to make baby food. I think it will be a huge money saver, as well as healthier for the baby and greener for the Earth. I always hated throwing away (or even recycling) the millions of baby food jars we used. While I don't think I will ever go to cloth diapering. But, I am going to look into more "green" disposable diapers. I also have decided not to use a bumper. I was going to make one, but after reading everything about SIDS and suffocation, I can't bring myself to risk it this time around. I guess you could say I have become a little green and a little paranoid.

 

I will say this, having been there and done that... I appreciate everything so much more. While some of the pains are the same, and different pains have emerged, I can look at the beautiful child I made and know that in the end, all the blood, sweat, and tears are worth it.