Things you need to know about your second pregnancy

Expecting again? Congratulations! The only think you need to know about your second pregnancy is that it’ll be nothing like your first one…

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Don't expect your second pregnancy to be anything like your first. We give you the low down on what to expect from  pregnancy the second time around.

Announcing your pregnancy
First time: When you announce that you’re pregnant, everyone squeals with excitement.
Second time: When you announce that you’re pregnant, everyone raises an eyebrow to say, ‘What, again!’

Your pregnant bump
First time: You notice a bit of a bump at about 20 weeks.
Second time: You’re back in maternity clothes before the first trimester’s up.

Your weekends
First time: You spend weekends napping on the sofa.
Second time: Naps? Even a full night’s sleep would be nice.

Pregnancy at work
First time: Everyone at work is very curious about your pregnancy and how you’re feeling.
Second time: Everyone at work suddenly has an urgent meeting as soon as you mention your latest twinge.

What's on your coffee table?
First time: On your coffee table? Neat piles of M&B and other pregnancy bibles.
Second time: On your coffee table? Random piles of lift-the-flap books, tissues and abandoned toys. M&B’s in there somewhere — under that pack of baby wipes, maybe?

Getting up at night
First time: You keep having to get up in the night to go the loo.
Second time: You keep having to get up in the night to resettle your toddler. And then go to the loo... if you get a second before she starts again.

Your labour bag
First time: You spend hours packing your labour bag. Facial spritz? Check. Mood music? Check. Cute, colour-co-ordinated baby outfits? Check. Birthing ball? Check. Massage oils? Check. Maybe you need a second bag...
Second time: You grab a sleepsuit and some nappies as you leave for the birthing unit. And then rush back, mid-contraction, for your hospital notes.

Pregnancy journal
First time: You keep a beautiful pregnancy journal, recording all your mum-to-be hopes and dreams.
Second time: You really must find time to put those pictures of your first-born in a proper album before the new baby (and new pictures) comes along.

Pelvic floor exercises
First time: You keep forgetting to do your pelvic-floor exercises.
Second time: You keep forgetting to do your pelvic-floor exercises.
 
Shopping when pregnant
First time: You spend hours cooing over babygros in shops.
Second time: You spend hours cooing over your first-born’s babygros as you unpack them to use again.

Your first scan
First time: You keep your scan picture in your purse, so you can show it off to everyone you meet.
Second time: You keep your scan picture in your purse but it’s a bit hard to see the baby underneath that jammy toddler fingerprint.

Bump time
First time: You talk and sing to your unborn baby, picture her curled up inside you, and thrill at all her little squirms and kicks.
Second time: You realise with a guilty pang that you haven’t really thought about your unborn baby all toddler-filled day.

Your partner
First time: You argue endlessly with your partner about baby names. 
Second time: You argue endlessly with your partner about baby names.

Your pregnant body
First time: You’re in awe of the way your bump is growing.
Second time: You wish you still had a lap for your toddler to sit on.
 
Your relationships
First time: You worry how your relationship will adjust to the baby.
Second time: You worry how your toddler will adjust to the baby.

Your worries
First time: You wonder if you’ll ever cut it as a mum. (But you will.) 
Second time: You wonder if you’ll never love another baby as much as you love your first-born. (But you will.)