Every pregnant mum starts out with good intentions. Then baby number two comes along and something shifts. If you were a precious, careful, colour-coordinated first-time mum, chances are your second pregnancy looked… a little different. Here are 10 things that sum up the real difference between first and second pregnancy.
Differences Between First and Second Pregnancy
#1. Reading books
1st: You read every pregnancy book you can get your hands on, cover to cover, twice.
2nd: You don’t read a single pregnancy book. Who has the time?
#2. Keeping track
1st: You track your pregnancy down to the day, with a bump photo to match.
2nd: You track it down to the hour, mostly so you know exactly when you can say “get me to the labour ward.”
#3. Showing
1st: You delight in your expanding bump and quietly enjoy the attention.
2nd: “Oh no, I’m showing already and I’m only two weeks gone.”
You may also enjoy 25 Reasons to Know You Are the Oldest Child.
#4. Eating
1st: You eat carefully, avoiding caffeine, alcohol, unpasteurised cheese — the works.
2nd: “I’ll have the tuna sandwich, and make that a double espresso.”
#5. Clothes
1st: You make an effort with maternity wear — nice outfits, even heels.
2nd: You live in leggings and slip-on shoes (or you’re still wearing last time’s maternity trousers because they’re just too comfy to give up).
You may also enjoy The Difference Between Your First, Second and Third Child.
#6. Showers
1st: You enjoy a baby shower thrown by family, friends or colleagues, and soak up the attention.
2nd: You’re lucky if you get time for an actual shower.
#7. Music
1st: You play Mozart and Beethoven to your bump, hoping to give their brain a head start.
2nd: The bump gets whatever nursery rhyme CD your older child has on repeat — for the hundredth time.
#8. Stretch marks
1st: You faithfully rub in cream every night to try to avoid stretch marks.
2nd: You cover them up with the leggings you’re already wearing anyway.
#9. Nesting
1st: You agonise over colour schemes and furniture for the perfect nursery.
2nd: Baby number two ends up in your room for months because there was no time to decorate anything.
#10. Announcements
1st: You design and post out beautifully printed birth announcement cards.
2nd: You announce the arrival on Facebook from the labour ward.
You may also enjoy Fact or Fiction? Hilarious (and Ridiculous!) Pregnancy Old Wives’ Tales.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it normal to feel completely different the second time around?
Yes — very. Most second-time mums say they worry less about the small stuff and focus more on getting through each day, simply because there’s an older child who also needs attention.
Why do you show earlier in a second pregnancy?
Many mums notice they show sooner the second time, often because abdominal muscles have already been stretched once. It’s a common experience, not a sign anything is wrong — if you have any concerns about your pregnancy, your GP or midwife is the right person to ask.
Does the second pregnancy really go by faster?
It often feels that way. With less time to sit and focus on the pregnancy itself, and a busy household to run, many second-time mums say the nine months seem to fly compared to the first.
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For more honest, funny takes on family life, see 25 Reasons to Know You Are the Oldest Child, The Difference Between Your First, Second and Third Child, and Fact or Fiction? Hilarious (and Ridiculous!) Pregnancy Old Wives’ Tales.
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