Differences Between My First and Second Pregnancy

I love to compare things. Everything and anything. If you were to look into my blogging binder (a diy coming!) you’d see an almost embarrassing amount of stats written out, dates, weeks, months, times all compared. (Google Analytics, I love you.) I love TimeHop on Facebook and seeing what I was doing on that day years ago (except, not really because #embarrasing.) So it’s not surprise to me that with every step of this pregnancy I’ve been comparing it to how my pregnancy was with Ryan. For the most part, the biggest difference is size: this belly has gotten much bigger much faster this time around. (Check out this post to see how big I was at 31 weeks this time and last time – it’s shocking.) With 6ish or less weeks to go, I’ve been comparing these pregnancies even more (truth be told, in an effort to decide if this labor will be as quick and crazy as last time.) and I thought that today I’d share the main differences I’ve been able to notice in my second pregnancy. Since it’s Thursday, I’ll be linking it on up with the lovely Amanda for Thinking Out Loud Thursday!

Differences Between My First and Second Pregnancy

1. The Fear. With my first pregnancy, I was scared about labor. It seems so unbelievably terrifying, especially when the most ‘major’ surgery you’ve ever had was your wisdom teeth being extracted. I was scared about becoming a mom, because I’d never even really held a baby. I was scared that I would get overwhelmed, scared that I would hurt him, scared he would hate me.This time a round, I’m scared of different things. I’m scared that Ryan will react badly, or that he’ll feel like we’ve forgotten about him. That I won’t be able to handle two babies, that I won’t be able to magically grow another part of my heart like I’ve read so many places will happen. The fear this time around is different, but it’s still there.
2. Less Noticing. The other day at 29 weeks I looked into the mirror and said, “Oh, that line thing is back.” With this pregnancy, there is so much less noticing and anticipating. I remember carefully squinting at my reflection each morning to see is the Linea Negra has appeared, to check the status of my belly button and stretch marks. I think this time around, although I’m loving being pregnant, nothing is really new anymore, so I’m not taking the time to notice and anticipate the quirks of being pregnant.
3. Less Weight Gain. I remember my mom telling me how she gained an unGodly amount of weight with me (her first) and barely any with my brother (her second). She credited it to not having the time to eat as much, because she was too busy chasing me around. (my brother and I are only 14 months apart. 14!!!) I always thought that was kind of bull, but on account that I gained 65 pounds (at least) with Ryan, and I’m on track to stay in that magical 25-35 pound window with this babe, I can attest that it’s true. I’m either too busy to eat because Ryan is a psychopath, or I’m delaying eating because I don’t want to share with him. (mom of the year, here you guys. Mom of the year.) Between that and barely gaining anything the first trimester due to such crazy nausea (with Ryan I was only nauseous when I was hungry, so I just ate. A lot.) it’s looking like I’ll be gaining less this time around.source.
4. Less research. I distinctly remember sitting for hours on The Bump where there are what they call Bump Month Boards. I would read posts and responses that new and experiences moms were asking and answering, I read hundreds of birth stories and looked at an infinite amount of registry and must-have lists. I Googled EVERYTHING. I mean, everything. It drove Alex crazy, because I would text him and tell him that I was clearly suffering from XYZ, when it was really gas or something silly. This time around, I’m pretty shocked by how little I’ve researched. In one sense, I feel like I’ve been here before and can rule things out easier. I know now to go with my gut and trust my instincts.
5. Different stress. With Ryan, I was stressed about creating a nursery. (stupid, since I still haven’t decorated his room…) I was stressed about working and maternity leave. I was stressed because we were in the process of looking for a house to buy and living with my MIL. This time I’m mostly just worried about Ryan. If I let myself think any further than the first week, I stress about being home alone with two under two. YEs, I worry about other things – like how long will this baby be in our room and how will Ryan handle sharing a room – but the main difference is this time around I’m more confident in my own abilities as a mom and the fact that it will somehow all work out.

It’s so interesting to me how two experiences, that, on a purely fact based/scientific level are the same, can be so completely different. Yes, both pregnancies have been mostly enjoyable, both were super, crazy, unbelievably active boys (both times I haven’t done kick counts because they move THAT often.), both have had crazy Braxton Hicks, both are (seemingly) tiny babies, but on another level they’ve just been so, so different. I wouldn’t have it any other way, either!

So tell me – if you’ve had more than one babe, how did your pregnancies differ? If not, what was the most memorable part of your first pregnancy? (besides labor, obvi..) If you’ve never been pregnant, let me know – are you one of those people that Googles everything, or do you go with the flow? Leave it in the comments, friends!

If you liked this post, you may enjoy these!

Thoughts on Two

33 Weeks

Mom Guilt