First Pregnancy vs The Second One

Let me start by saying that this is my experience, which is not necessarily the same as anyone else’s, and so far I can only talk about pregnancy. Later on we can talk about the differences between the first and the second child.

Many moms believe that by having been pregnant once, the second will be the same and the reality is a little far from that belief; although your body has memory and you may feel some symptoms faster, just as the tummy begins to show sooner; every pregnancy is different.

Before we talk about the thousand and one differences between the first and the second pregnancy, let me be honest about something: I felt afraid both times, even though both were planned.

The first time, I was afraid of a new stage in my life and being “ready”. The second was a “wow, how am I going to survive a pregnancy at the same time I run after my toddler”.

Both times I could not imagine a different situation, I did not want it to be different, despite not being the same excitement. Don’t get me wrong, happiness consumes me just like the first time, it is just that with the first pregnancy you prepare something special, everyone is delighted and you feel the illusion in the environment. They’re all cuddling you and treating you like you’re glass. Carrying weight? No way.

With the second, you are already in the background because your first baby is the center of everything. You don’t even have time to prepare something elaborate, and the reactions go from: “oh, I knew” to: “you guys don’t waste time”, congratulations are really left out. And as the months go by, you realize that you are more neglected and feel more alone than with the first one.

Instead of becoming that beautiful new mom, you find yourself wanting a rest more than ever without been able to. As you went through this once, no one cuddles you any more, on the contrary, as they see you coming out ahead (because you have no other) they assume that you have everything under control and that you can with this and more (“you should”).

Okay, I’m not saying that pregnancy is an illness, but we quickly forget that this is a delicate stage where lots of changes are happening in the body since tender breasts to sciatica pain. Your organs are trying to open up space for the new baby and it is difficult to function on a pre-pregnancy level.

Anyways, here are the main differences between my pregnancy 1 and 2.

Can you sit down and rest at any time?

Then it’s probably your first pregnancy.

Now you have to take care of a little one who needs you and you feel like you are working the triple. You’re more tired, but you still get up and move on.

With the second pregnancy you are so busy that you feel it is happening faster and at the same time you are so tired that you feel it is becoming eternal.

Food and coffee, please

The first time I googled everything I could or could not eat, I avoided caffeine to its fullest expression. Now I know that there are worse things that can hurt my baby, so I enjoy my deli sandwich and I can not live without coffee (of course I do not drink more than the recommended amount, but believe me, I need it).

Cravings and aversions

With my first pregnancy I started to HATE chicken, I couldn’t even see it. But for some strange reason I could eat a McChicken and I want it all the time.

Now my craving is ice cream, but only if it’s chocolate sundae…

How far along are you?

With my first pregnancy I knew exactly the number of weeks and days, I even took a weekly photo. Now, every time I am asked I always answer “about x months” and I was surprised when I realized that I am already 32 weeks pregnant. when did that happen?

How was your first and second (or third) pregnancy?

I’d love to read to you.