Every pregnancy is different, and everyone has a unique journey. Also, indeed, no one could understand what a pregnant woman is feeling. So, it is quite a lonely journey! Though all other mothers could relate and connect, still it’s only you who knows what you are going through. You might be a mother already. Still, you might be quite taken aback during your second pregnancy by how different it could be.
When I conceived the second time, I received a lot of advice and suggestions. And I was also told what to expect the second time around. I read a lot of articles to go through others’ experiences as well. And many of them came true in my case too. No two pregnancies are the same, and even if you have already delivered one baby, you might go through a completely different experience. I am writing this article about my own pregnancies, and below are some ways I found my second pregnancy different from the first.
Nausea
I had completely different experiences in this regard. While with my first one, I was extremely nauseous for the first three months and felt like vomiting often, I was surprisingly good during the second pregnancy. I did get that urge to puke every time I brushed. You ladies know what I am talking about! Otherwise, life was much better, and there was no stomach-churning nausea at all. I puked a few times during my first, and the nauseous feeling was constant. The second pregnancy was a breeze in that aspect.
Exhaustion
I must admit that I was almost always exhausted during the second pregnancy. Right from the time I found out to the day I had my baby, I felt like I had been hit by a bus. And a lot of that was because I hardly got the time to rest properly. I had a toddler at home whom I didn’t want to feel left out and so ensured to engage with her as much as possible. The guilt that if I was not there for her, she will mostly be on her own also made me stay active all the time. Though my older daughter is a very easy-going girl and had always been cooperative she was still a baby and had her difficult days. Thus, the exhaustion level was much higher during my second pregnancy.
Activity During Second Pregnancy
It makes me chuckle when I think about my activity levels. I had scrubbed my kitchen and bathroom floor before I went to the hospital in labor! So that when I came back, I had a clean bathroom and kitchen. Though I knew it was not necessary and I could have asked my husband also to do that. I guess I was going through the nesting phase and felt like the house should be spick and span for the arrival of the new baby. I had cooked, cleaned, washed, ran after my older one, and almost did everything during my second pregnancy. So, there was never a stop! I hardly got the luxury to take a break properly. But I should also add that because of all these activities, I had a lot of stamina during my 16-hour long labor period. Also, I didn’t get Gestational Diabetes like my first pregnancy. However, I have nothing to complain about all that because it helped me in many ways.
Pregnancy Complications
As I have already mentioned earlier that I had Gestational Diabetes during my first pregnancy, I didn’t have it during the second. So, I would like to tell all those mothers who had suffered it once that you don’t need to have it again. I was more aware of my diet and also knew that I tended to develop Gestational Diabetes. So, I created a menu based on that. Also, my high activity levels plus my daily walks until I was 37 weeks pregnant helped me a lot. Also, I was fortunate enough not to have any other pregnancy complications.
More Body Aches and Pressure
I remembered from 37 weeks onwards, I couldn’t roll in my sleep. I had extreme pressure in my vaginal area, and there was a dull ache all the time. Also, there was constant back pain. So, I would like to want all you ladies to expect that! While the third trimester during my first pregnancy was a breeze, it was torture during my second. Somedays, my entire body ached, and I didn’t know what to do. I did have warm baths as recommended by my doctor and also got regular massages. It did give me relief but would come back again the next day. And this is one point I have heard from almost every mother that body aches and pains get worse in all subsequent pregnancies.
Labour and Delivery
Both of my deliveries were very different. I had my first daughter after 11 hours of total labor time and 3 hours of active labor time. But during my second pregnancy, I had my daughter after 16 hours of total labor time and 8 hours of active labor time. Pheww!! You can understand what I went through! Almost everyone told me that labor would be shorter the second time, and it did look like so at the beginning. Initial labor progressed very fast but I got stuck at 8 cms for 8 long hours. However, one thing common was the fact that I didn’t have to push long for either one. Just a total of maybe 9-12 pushes and they both came into the world.
Recovery After Second Pregnancy
Recovery was slower the second time. I would attribute it to the fact that I was also caring for another little child that gave me very little time to rest. And the fact that I had to be on my toes just after 4-5 hours after delivery delayed the process. My husband was a constant support, and he did whatever he could. But he was also going through extreme pressure at work that left us with little choice. But I did get the time to sleep during my newborn’s nap times that helped me a lot to recuperate. I followed the advice that “sleep when the baby sleeps”. It helped me both times! So new mothers, please try to do that. Also, I was not shocked by all the postpartum changes during my second pregnancy, and I was more prepared mentally.
The nine months is an unparalleled experience for all of us mothers. It might be easy for some and difficult for others. But once we have the baby, we all miss that time when only we could bond with the baby in the truest sense!
I am sure every one of you have stories to tell. Not only about your second pregnancy but also about the first one. We are all ears! Please leave your stories in the comments! We are excited to read about them! And to all mothers who are currently pregnant, welcome to a journey full of tears and doubt but also unconditional love and fulfillment!
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