Every Pregnancy is Different

A Pregnancy Update

I had a tough first pregnancy. In preparation for a second, I was nervous that it would go the same way. Everyone told me how not all pregnancies are the same and that it was very likely that the second would be better. I’m not sure if I really believed them. Now that I’m about halfway through this second pregnancy, I’m reflecting on all the differences, and they are dramatic.

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First of all, I’m a lot smaller. If you read the same books I did, then you probably heard that you will pop sooner with a second and be bigger. This has not been my experience. By 20 weeks with my first, I had to wear a maternity belt to help support me as I was having severe back pain caused by my large belly. This time around, I do have back pain, but my belly is not nearly as large so the pain isn’t as severe.

I’m not sure if this is because I’ve been more careful of what I’m eating or if it is because I’m not as swollen. I had started bloating and swelling pretty early on in my first pregnancy as well. However, I also thought that since I didn’t gain any weight in my first pregnancy that I could give into more cravings. Needless to say, I gained a lot of weight quickly in the second trimester as a result. This time around, I’m a lot smaller. I’ve been more careful of what I’m eating and not giving into as many cravings. Although I’ve felt some minor bloating, it doesn’t last and I haven’t started to swell.

Another reason that I am not gaining weight as quickly is that I am making a more conscious effort from early on to stay active. After my first son was born, I got a Fitbit to help me lose the weight. This is continuing to help me now in my second pregnancy to remind me to get off my ass and walk around if I’m being too lazy. I lowered my step goal to keep it reasonable but having that reminder really helps me stay active and moving so that I (hopefully) have a healthier pregnancy.

Another difference is that I am more exhausted. I guess this is to be expected as I am chasing a 2-year-old all day on top of being pregnant, but I’ve still noticed this as a major difference. With my first pregnancy, my fatigue ended in the first trimester. This one, while it did lessen, I’m still tired all the time now that I am 20 weeks. I don’t expect this to go away.

My sleep issues are the same. This is one thing that hasn’t changed. I’m still having a very difficult time falling asleep and staying asleep. Between back and joint pain and the need to pee about 100 times every night, my sleep isn’t great. The difference is, I have more tools to help me with this.

First, I started using the Snoogle pillow a lot sooner in this second pregnancy. This pillow helps to relieve hip and back pain by wrapping around me and giving support. The reason I like this pillow over other pregnancy pillows is that it is more versatile. If I read in bed, I can make it into a spiral and place it behind my back. It is also useful once the baby is born to nurse laying down. There are so many different positions and uses that make the Snoogle pillow so great. There is a reason I didn’t want to replace it for this second pregnancy!

The other thing I’ve done to help with my sleep is to stop drinking water about 1 hour before bedtime. I still drink as much as I did with my first, I just stop a little sooner. This made a huge difference in how many times I had to get up in the middle of the night for a trip to the bathroom which translates into more sleep for me!

I’m sure I will find countless more differences as my pregnancy continues to progress. It’s amazing how the body can react so differently to the exact same process (I’m even having another boy so no difference there)! I’m hoping that this pregnancy continues to go smoother than my first.

If you have had more than one pregnancies, how were they different? If not, do you have any fears about being pregnant again?