Your Second pregnancy is most times different from your first pregnancy especially when you are going to have a child with a gender different from your first child. Whether you plan your second pregnancy or it just happened, it’s still something worth celebrating. Children are God’s gift and having them around us makes us happy, fulfilled, and complete as a mother. This joy of bringing a new life into the world gives u the courage to pull through the challenges of pregnancy.
However, when you are having your second pregnancy especially when your first child is a toddler, you must prepare your mind to receive all the changes that it might have on your body. Do not think that it will be just like your first pregnancy, as your second pregnancy could be easier or more challenging than your first.
Even though my second pregnancy was planned, yet I was never prepared for the changes that could come with it. I felt since my first pregnancy experience was so rosy and did not have much of the pregnancy sickness, then this second pregnancy will just be like that. During my first pregnancy, I was active all through my first trimester to the third trimester; I went to work like nothing was happening, was also running a master’s degree program, was active in church, socials, at home, and most importantly in the bedroom. Because of this experience, I wasn’t prepared that my second pregnancy could take a new turn.
My second pregnancy was challenging from the first month of the pregnancy, I experienced light to moderate pains in my lower abdomen which make me visit the hospital even while I was less than two months pregnant. There was also frequent morning sickness, nausea, low appetite, cough, runny nose, frequent headache, and body pains. It was just like a different kind of sickness just showing up after I had gotten treated for another.
I experience frequent tiredness which made me be less productive with work, couldn’t read for my Ph.D. program, not active in taking care of the house and my kid and I just felt frustrated about the whole situation.
I was happy that I was going to have a new child but at the same time, it also frustrated me that I couldn’t meet up with my plans and schedule because of the stress the second pregnancy was having on my body. However, Instead of getting frustrated for a long time, I decided to embrace the situation I have just found myself in and to work around it for my good. I decided to take it easy on myself, slow down my working pace, and also had to suspend my PhD program until When I think I will be able to concentrate more on the research work.
I also decided to make good use of my time and be more productive within the little period of time I am able to work, through proper planning and effective time management. And above all, I had lots of night rest and weekend rest.
Your Second pregnancy: 5 Important Things you must know
- Your second pregnancy will not be like your first, so get ready for the roller coaster experience. Enjoy the days when you wake up with strength like that of Samson and the days you’ll wake up and it feels like you need to stay longer in bed. Also, start taking your fertility supplements with your partner as this will increase your chances of getting pregnant naturally.
- Have flexible plans on how to make things work out with either your work, business, academics, or career during pregnancy. This is because you might think that the second pregnancy will come with lots of energy but the little creature might have another plan for your frail body.
- Decide on how to take care of your first child especially if your little prince or princess is still a toddler. Plan on how to get help either from close family members, a nanny, or your partner. This is because you may not have enough energy to provide your little angel with all the attention he/she is used to especially if she is attached to you. This is a good reason why you need to get your child prepared emotionally and psychologically by letting him/her know that he will be having a little brother or sister very soon. However, you need to do this according to the age of your child, so that they can understand what you mean by having a little brother or sister.
- Get your partner prepared by letting him know that there is a possibility of changes in the experience of your first pregnancy and your second pregnancy. Let him know you will be needing his help, support, and his presence during the constant hospital visit if need be. You should also prepare for changes in your sexual activity during pregnancy and prepare to enjoy these changes with your partner.
- Check if your previously used maternity gowns are still in good condition and size, if not, then you need to prepare on getting new ones both for work and for casual wear. You might likely show earlier with the big baby bump, which means you might feel uncomfortable in your current clothes even as early as three months pregnant.
The bottom line
Preparing for your second pregnancy will help you to cope with any form of changes that might come with it. You should also make sure that you have a financial plan that is able to take care of your increasing family number, especially if you will have a need for frequent hospital visits. Having a good financial plan will also help you decide on the birth plan you will opt for.
Well, there is nothing to be afraid of, you will soon be a mother of two kids. Isn’t that amazing?
