Things that surprised me about pregnancy #2
-How quickly things happen! It seemed like the day after my positive pregnancy test, my belly sprouted overnight and the weight gain avalanched on. It felt like things started to physically appear before I could really get used to the fact that I was indeed pregnant. There are also some pros to this, including the fact that I got to feel kicks so much sooner! Baby kicks are one of my favorite things, ever, and I feel so grateful that I was able to experience them for so long.
-How much more relaxed it feels. As you guys know, we had a couple of unique situations in this pregnancy, including my low-lying placenta and the baby’s VSD. I think I handled this information differently than I would have as a first-time mom, or even just 4 years ago, when I was pregnant with Liv. I did as much research as possible, tried to remain calm (there was nothing I could do about either situation, so there was no point in freaking myself out), asked a lot of questions, and just put it in God’s hands. It was also nice to go into this pregnancy and not feel like I had to read everything under the sun since I did that last time. I read a handful of books, but really spent this time enjoying the pregnancy and savoring the moments with Liv and Tom. I felt like I could go into the experience with my knowledge and confidence in my body’s abilities, and trust that the midwives, Tom, and our doula would help take care of the baby and myself. Our birth story was a bit of a whirlwind, and I’m so glad they were by my side.
-Things hurt more the second time around. I did not remember feeling this slow or tired last time, but I also didn’t have an energetic 3 1/2 year old to chase around, or an almost 11-lb baby in my belly. 😉 When I was pregnant with Liv, if I was tired, I took a nap. This time, when I was tired, I ate a little chocolate and carried on. While I stayed consistent with my workouts, they were dramatically different the second time around because of my hip flexor and ligament pain. Last time I was a total cardio queen, and this time, strength training was really my jam, with light cardio mixed in here and there. I’m thankful that despite my occasional aches and paints, I was able to stay active right until delivery. I did a Physique 57 workout the night before I went into labor, and it felt so good to stay active, as it’s a huge component of my sanity.
-How time flies at an astounding rate. I was so busy taking care of Liv, teaching, and working, that the weeks seemed to coast past me. Before I knew it, I was in my third trimester. At the same time, it makes me laugh to think that I’ve been pregnant for pretty much all of 2015. In some ways, it definitely felt like it, and in others, I feel like it went by so quickly.
Things that didn’t surprise me:
-That post-birth glass of wine tastes just as good as I thought it would.
-That the heart has the ability to grow and multiply far beyond its previous capacity. While the amount of love I feel is definitely overwhelming, it’s certainly not surprising. <3
15 Comments
Leave a Comment
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
I’m 14 weeks with #2 and I can relate! I seriously have a legit, obviously pregnant bump and it freaks me out – how big will I get?!?!!?
My two babies were the same size. I don’t think I got bigger in the second pregnancy, I just got big faster and then the rate of growth slowed significantly. Instead of getting big fast in the late 2nd trimester and 3rd trimester like with my first, I was really big by the start of the 3rd trimester and didn’t get all that much bigger after that.
That’s interesting that you were ok with cardio in your first pregnancy and preferred strength in your second. I was so not into cardio when I was pregnant. I did Zumba but that was about it. Barre all the way!
Good to know that the second one is a bit more relaxed. I guess having done it once before really puts things in perspective!
I think it’s awesome that you were able to keep up with a workout routine until the very end! And I can only imagine how great that first glass of wine tasted at the end 🙂
All my friends have told me their pregnancies were all different. None were the same so I am not surprised to hear this!
This was great. My daughter just turned one last month and even though baby number 2 is still in the distant future, it is nice to have some insight about being pregnant again. Congrats, by the way, on baby P. She is precious.
And I wasn’t around to watch pregnancy number 1, but you were certainly perhaps one of the cutest pregnant women I’ve ever been around in pregnancy number 2. 🙂
I know whenever I get pregnant I’m going to be the same way as you with baby #1- I research the crap out of everything anyways and I know it’s just going to get worse! There’s a lot to be said for savoring the moments, I’m glad you got that with P 🙂
Congrats on the arrival of your new baby! Just wondering what you do with regards to drinking wine. Do you pump and dump? Or just allow yourself one glass? Do you wait a certain length of time between feedings if you’ve had a glass? I have an 11 week baby and I’m so nervous to have a glass as I’m exclusively BF.
thank you so much!! i just have one glass, and it’s usually right after a feeding so my body has plenty of time to process it before it’s time for her to eat again
Thank you! I will have to try that, as I miss my wine! I know you just have to wait 2-3 hours, but curious as to what others do.
And that love will continue to grow! Every minute, every day, every year!! <3
That silhouetted shot of you is STUNNING, Gina. I love hearing the comparative anecdotes for you with your second pregnancy. I find the whole process to be naturally mystical, and I’ve loved following along with yours.
What a great post. My husband and I are debating baby number two so it’s nice to get some perspective!
-Heather
http://heatherinreallife.com/
Hi Gina, I came across this article this morning and thought you might enjoy it. I haven’t experience this beautiful journey yet myself and it brought tears to my eyes. Your birth experience was nothing short of heroic. Thanks for sharing your journey with us 🙂
http://www.mothering.com/articles/the-last-days-of-pregnancy-a-place-of-in-between/