I’m in the second trimester of my second pregnancy, but it almost feels like I’m pregnant for the first time. The last time I was pregnant, I was 20 years old, which was 10 years ago. Pregnancies 10 years apart are the same and also different.
Now, I have a sweet little nine-year-old redhead, and I feel like we’ve lived a lot of life since then! Some things about pregnancy feel familiar, but others feel new and unexpected.
The same
Nausea in the first trimester.
Different
Strange aversions to certain types of food. I pretty much became a vegetarian and I still can’t cut into any type of meat. Weird, I know…
The same
Subscribing to weekly Baby Center emails. Every Friday morning, I can’t wait to read about what’s new that week.
Different
I’ve forgotten what happens when. I’ve pretty much had to start from ground zero in that department. (In case you’re wondering, right now, my baby is the size of a spaghetti squash.)
The Same
Tiredness.
Different
Extreme fatigue! My body is older and probably just needs more rest. Unlike my college days, I can’t take a nap whenever I feel like it because of this thing called…work. On the weekends, all I want to do is sleep!
The same
Following the pregnancy rules.
Different
Being more lenient in some areas. I’m drinking 8-12 oz of coffee or diet coke a day. During my first pregnancy, I wouldn’t dare touch caffeine! I don’t know how I made it without a little caffeine before. Youth, I suppose!
The same
Keeping up on my bi-monthly hair appointments.
Different
During my first pregnancy, I got a shoulder length “mom cut” so I would look older. Not this time around! Keeping my long locks.
The same
Anxiety.
Different
The first time around, I was so incredibly anxious about labor, but didn’t have many day-to-day worries. Now, I know I can handle labor, but worry more about issues that can occur during pregnancy. I know too much!
The same
Finding out the gender.
Different
With my first pregnancy, I was certain it was a girl (and it was). This time around, I thought it was a boy, as did most of my family, but voila, it’s another girl! 🙂
The same
Feeling baby flutters and kicks and loving it.
Different
Nothing. It’s the BEST.
The same
Vivid dreams.
Different
No baby dreams. At least not yet. With my first pregnancy, I had them most nights!
The same
Taking belly pictures (and not putting them on Facebook).
Different
I really don’t want to see my bare stomach anymore (even for my own private viewing). I’m also not taking belly pics weekly like I did the first time around. When I hit a milestone, like 20 weeks, I’ll take a picture and maybe share on Facebook.
The same
Registering. Cuz, you know, it’s been 10 years and I have no baby things!
Different
Familiarizing myself with all the new baby products. It’s overwhelming. Now there’s a high-tech sock that tells you if your baby is doing okay?! Oh, and learning that a lot of products I used are no longer safe (or cool). I’m also registering online for the most part. Score!
The same
Experiencing rib pain.
Different
Feeling it early on. Fun times, I’ll tell ya. During my first pregnancy, the rib pain didn’t hit me until my last few weeks. Not so lucky this time.
The same
Going up a couple bra sizes. Woot woot!
Different
Buying a NICE bra, even if I won’t wear it forever. I’ve also started producing colostrum already, which caught me by surprise. Apparently, this is not abnormal the second time around (the girls know what to do).
The same
Being excited about motherhood!
Different
My first time around, it didn’t really hit me that I was having a baby until I had a baby. Now, I know how special and wonderful a child is and how much joy they bring, regardless of their age. That said, I feel so impatient and ready for my due date to get here already!
I’m also enjoying having friends who are pregnant or just had babies. During my first pregnancy, I didn’t know anyone who was expecting or was my age with children. All my friends were at a different stage of their lives. Now, I know LOTS of woman expecting and can pick their brains and share stories! The journey is far less lonely.
Do you have a large gap between your pregnancies? What’s the same and what’s different?
*originally written in 2018
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