Being Pregnant
Second Pregnancy: 13 Things I’ll Do Differently
Besides the fact that my first pregnancy was unexpected, I have absolutely no complaints about the pregnancy itself. I’d be lucky to have such a healthy, complication-free experience with my next pregnancy — and the same goes for the labor, too.
In fact, I had such an incredible experience that I even considered being a surrogate — and I’d still consider it, to be honest. I had this overwhelming feeling that my body was made to be pregnant.
Yet there are still many things that I’ll do differently the next time around:
What would you/did you do differently with pregnancy #2?
6 things I wish I knew pre-pregnancy: Some lessons only come with kids attached!
Go Back To Being Pregnant
13 Comments
Megan commented on Sep 27 11 at 8:20 amI’d intended on exercising more during this second pregnancy but had clearly forgotten how sick I felt until I reached this stage (16 weeks) and now I feel like I’ve not done anything for so long I’m totally lacking energy and motivation. This time around I regularly forget I’m pregnant – there’s not going to be such a change to my lifestyle. The major change this time around is that I’m saving more money pre maternity leave as I felt so poor last time. This way, I feel the pain of having less money already but with the advantage of having more to dip into when my income’s much lower when the baby’s here.
Crystal commented on Sep 27 11 at 10:40 amThe one thing I know for sure I’d do differently is announce it in a more special way. My husband and I were so excited to be pregnant we immediately told everyone. We have some special things planned for our announcement next time. We would also like to announce the gender in a more special way too. I think I would try to exercise more because my blood pressure was THROUGH the ROOF my first pregnancy, maybe exercise would help that.
illiana commented on Sep 27 11 at 10:50 amWell as my 2nd pregnancy was 13 yr after my first , i had no idea what to do . However i did do alot of reading. I also did buy a pregnancy journal and jotted in it every night so i could have written memories of being pregnant. Sometimes what you write down seems to be more honest than what you remember.I also ate healthier and did not stress out. I do wish i wouldve exercised more before ging into labor lol.
Krishann commented on Sep 27 11 at 10:52 amI can definitely relate to this post…so much in fact. I was so sick throughout my pregnancy and had a very scary delivery. Even so, if I ever muster up the courage to do it again :) I think exercise will be a must and I will be striving to be as stress free as possible. I also missed out on the birthing classes. Sometimes I think my problem was that I worried way to much about those that looked down on me or frowned at me because I was an “early mama” and I looked even younger than I was. It struggled to hold my head up and didn’t want any attention. I needed to remember that whether I received it “too early” or not I was given a gift in the form of a precious baby girl. I was. I would also definitely want to think of a fun way to break the news (before I was scared and nervous to do that) …fortunately my mom (a.k.a. my rock) did encourage me to take pictures but next time I’d go a different route. We went to the glamour place in the mall and I got my makeup done before we went. I had way too much on and didn’t feel like myself. I love the idea of a natural photo (and photos to chronicle my growing belly) and would definitely want my first love (my daughter) to be a part of it :) oh and my Mr. too ;)
Reese commented on Sep 27 11 at 11:03 amWhat is that contraption in the last photo?
I read too much too, but I’m glad I did. Many of my friends had babies this year as well and I’m the only one breastfeeding and my baby was in the NICU for almost 2 weeks. If I hadn’t known what I know from all of the reading I did I probably would have gave up like they (and so many others) did.
Next time around I don’t want to let myself gain so much weight.
Playing Wii during labor?! I had a drug-free delivery too and the most moving I did was from the bed to the tub and back again. My contractions were strong and less that 1.5 minutes apart when we got to the hospital though.
I miss being pregnant. Now I have an urge to text my husband “I miss being pregnant, let’s make another one now,” just to scare him.
michellehorton commented on Sep 27 11 at 11:09 amThe last photo is of the GoCrib – which is something I’d DEFINITELY want this time around. See it here: http://blogs.babble.com/being-pregnant/2011/03/15/5-products-you-dont-know-to-register-for/
And I was only playing Wii because I wasn’t dilating but had to stay in the birthing center because I’m positive for Strep B. There was A LOT of hanging around.
Grace M. commented on Sep 27 11 at 11:19 amKegels and ab workouts before the next one. Pushing was tough and long because my muscles were weak.
Casse Betts commented on Sep 27 11 at 12:33 pmI highly recommend the Bradley Method Childbirth classes. Not only do you work on labor positions but, you need to do squats and lunges regularly in order to prepare your muscles for the crazy workout labor is. Also my Bradley Method structor helped me out with your #9 as well. Postpartum. We made these FANASTIC pads by taking regular ones putting a bit of water, and witch hazel and then freezing them! A relief for swollenness and pain. What I plan on doing differently with number 2 is not getting any ultrasounds. Our baby was diagnosed with bilateral clubfoot at 22 weeks pregnant. The rest of our pregnany was full of maternal fetal medicine, specialists, ultrasounds, and even a visit to an orthopedic surgeon. Even a threat that we could not labor in our birth center with our midwife! Our son ended up have 1 very very minor clubfoot that was resolved with just two leg castings! All that unnessecary stress for nada! I just want to FULLY enjoy the next one (which coincidently will most likely also be my last). Thanks so much for sharing. I really enjoyed it.
Brigette commented on Sep 27 11 at 11:39 pmWhat to Expect… that book made me paranoid as hell in my first trimester. Now, at 33 weeks pregnant, I keep telling the hubby we need to start a bonfire with it. I’m joking… kinda…
Thaddeus Harden commented on Oct 04 11 at 2:44 pmOkay, I’m biased as I’m a photographer! But… when I photographed my wife in her 7th month of maternity, I the results were so beautiful, that I decided at that moment that having a beautiful portrait of this magical time was one of the most treasured portraits a Mom could own, and own for the rest of her life!
So, I decided to start shooting maternity portraits for all moms because I believed so highly in the value of it. I recommend it to all moms so they won’t live with any regrets about it later in life!
Courtney commented on Oct 20 11 at 3:50 pmAs someone who’s on their second pregnancy, I’ve just got to tell you, don’t make too many big plans. Take more pictures, yes. Stress less? That one’s gonna be tough as you’re gonna have another kid to take care of. There’s no napping on a whim or even a whole lot of relaxing with the second pregnancy when you’re chasing/entertaining an (inser your son’s age. My daughter is almost 2 and saying she’s “energetic” is an understatement). And journalling may be tough…or unwanted. Like you, I had an unremarkable first pregnancy- I ALSO thought I may want to be a surrogate someday! But remember this: NO TWO PREGNANCIES ARE ALIKE. This pregnancy was polar opposite my last one. I journaled my first pregnancy dilligently and had my journal all ready to go for this one but the pregnancy was so horrible I never even cracked it open. I don’t know that I even WANT to remember all the details or this go-round.
I’m due in 3 weeks and this will be the end of my pregnant journies. And when I get baby fever, my husband has promised to remind me how miserable I have been and get me a puppy.
Katie commented on Feb 26 12 at 10:08 pmI agree with Courtney. My first pregnancy was a breeze compared to this one. Plus this time around I have a 2.5 year old and I barely remember to eat lunch since I am working full time. There is no way this pregnancy I could have done all the cutsie things I thought I would do this time around. And stress less? The only thing I stressed less about was the actual pregnancy because there was so much more on my plate that I tended to forget about the pregnancy. At least the day to day stuff.
That being said? It’s good to have a plan, it’s bad to feel like a failure if the plan doesn’t work out. Don’t be too hard on yourself next time around.
SK commented on May 05 12 at 6:52 pmTottaly agree with Courtney and Katie.
i’m pregnant with my 2nd baby now. Definitely harder and more unfit and more soreness here and there.
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