Are you a toddler mom thinking about a second pregnancy? This blog post is all about how your 2nd pregnancy may differ from your first pregnancy.
Your second pregnancy may seem easier since you know what to expect or it may seem harder because you have a toddler running around. Just know that however you’re feeling is completely normal and valid.
This post will specifically discuss 2nd pregnancy differences, what prepping for baby #2 may look like, second baby must haves, second pregnancy announcement, second pregnancy bump progressions and so much more. Plus it might help you answer the question of “am I ready for baby number 2”.
This post is all about a second pregnancy.
Second Pregnancy
It’s easy to assume that your second pregnancy will be exactly like your first, but that’s far from the truth.
Every pregnancy is different from mom to mom and baby to baby.
Even the timing of when you experience pregnancy symptoms can differ with a second pregnancy because your body has already been through pregnancy before.
Let’s take a look at nine of the biggest second pregnancy differences you can expect.
1- Your Pregnancy Symptoms May Be Different
Because every pregnancy is different, your pregnancy symptoms are bound to differ from pregnancy to pregnancy.
There are tons of old wives tales out there that focus on your pregnancy symptoms being predictors of the gender of your baby (you can read more about them here) but many of them haven’t been providen by science.
In my own experience with two boy pregnancies, my pregnancy symptoms were completely different.
For instance, if you had strong morning sickness with your first pregnancy, you may or may not feel nauseous with your second pregnancy. It’s possible for you to crave totally different foods or even have strong food aversions with your 2nd pregnancy. And I can almost guarantee you will feel more exhausted the second time around because you have a toddler running around that you have to keep up with.
These are just a handful of pregnancy symptoms but be ready for anything with your second pregnancy. A second pregnancy vs first can be so different.
2- You Will Feel Pregnancy Faster
Many moms will tell you that they felt pregnant faster with the second baby, even before their missed period.
This is most likely due to the fact that with a second pregnancy, you pick up on some of the pregnancy symptoms faster.
3- More Intense Emotions
It’s no surprise you might feel a little more disconnected from your second pregnancy because you’re busy taking care of a toddler.
But on the other hand, there are so many more emotions that you may feel as it relates to your toddler.
Some emotions you may experience include:
- Sadness over he or she not being the only child anymore.
- Fear of how your oldest will handle the transition and not being the center of attention 100% of the time.
- Worry about how you can possibly love another baby as much as you love your first.
- Wondering how you will handle the transition from one to two children.
4- You May Feel Less Stressed
One of the benefits of a second pregnancy is that you already have experience – with pregnancy, postpartum and taking care of a newborn. Having confidence as a mom and with what is to come during the newborn phase can make a big difference in your level of stress you experience during pregnancy.
You will probably stress less about what to pack in your hospital bag, you will know exactly what you need and don’t need for the newborn phase. Even announcing the second pregnancy might not feel as nerve wracking and secretive.
You might also feel less stressed because you have another child at home to take care of and keep busy. There were some days during my second pregnancy where I forgot I was pregnant. It sounds silly but I was so preoccupied with my toddler that I didn’t have time to think about my pregnancy or over analyze pregnancy symptoms.
But on the other hand, you may feel more stressed with your second pregnancy vs first because you’ve experienced a misscariage or there is something else going on either personally or with your new baby.
5- You Might Feel The Baby Move Earlier
You can usually feel your baby’s first movements between 16 and 25 weeks. But with a second pregnancy, some moms are able to feel their baby’s “quickening” movements as early as 13 weeks preganant.
6- You Might Start Showing Faster
It’s no secret that your second pregnancy bump progression happens a lotttt quicker than with your first. Your body knows exactly what to do and starts to stretch and relax much quicker than with your first pregnancy.
You may find that you have to switch over to maternity clothes faster than with your first pregnancy.
7- Labor Can Be Shorter
It’s not always the case but it’s common for delivery to be much faster with a second baby.
You can expect contractions to come closer together much faster with a second pregnancy. Although doctors usually advise women in labor to wait to come to the hospital until their contracts are five minutes apart, it’s not a bad idea to head to the hospital sooner than that. Especially if you have a longer drive to the hospital.
Everything from contractions to how quickly your cervix dilated to how long it takes to push the baby out are usually faster with a second pregnancy vs first.
More information on what the average labor time is for a second baby.
8- Your Birth Experience May Be Different
Just like every pregnancy is different, your birth experience may be different too. Perhaps your second baby is breech and requires a c section delivery or your first delivery required an induction to get you started.
Whatever the case may be, it’s important to have a general understanding and acceptance that your second delivery will probably be different from your first.
You will hopefully have more confidence and knowledge going into the second delivery though and can advocate for yourself more (if needed). But each birth is special in its own way – c sections included!
9- Postpartum Contractions May Be Stronger
Postpartum contractions are your body’s way that shrinks your uterus back down to its normal size pre pregnancy.
Two ways that you will initially experience these postpartum contractions are when a nurse presses on your uterus during your hospital stay and when you breastfeed your baby.
This post was all about a second pregnancy.