Being pregnant while having a child is a very big thing. You are happy and somewhat nervous too. Being pregnant for the second time is filled with excitement and a barrage of responsibilities coming towards you. Are you preparing for second pregnancy? Do you want to know the possible complications in second pregnancy? Is second pregnancy different from the first? These thoughts may be running through your mind.
Read on to find all the answers to your questions.
Your body changes a lot after you’ve had your first pregnancy. These changes can impact your second pregnancy. You have a completely busy routine after having a first child and expecting a second child, you might be concerned about how it may fit into your already busy schedule. The planning, being concerned about complications and your own mental wellbeing becomes very important.
What are the early Symptoms of A Second Pregnancy?
As your uterus is pretty much experienced in nurturing a child because the uterus doesn’t shrink to its normal size (pre-pregnancy size) after the first pregnancy. The signs and symptoms of the second pregnancy are quite the same as they were in the first. However, you may experience those symptoms pretty sooner than you did in your first pregnancy. What are those symptoms? Let’s check them out.
Tiredness
The common and most probable symptom of a second pregnancy is you get tired very frequently. Your body produces a lot of progesterone and this can cause you to feel fatigued and exhausted in the early weeks of pregnancy.
Changes in breasts
Your breasts change a lot after you get pregnant and breast changes are often considered as the earliest signs of pregnancy. The high level of hormones released after conception can cause the breasts to get tender, sore and full. The areola or the skin around the nipple can get darker as well.
Increase in weight
Gaining weight a few weeks after the conception is not very unusual. Your midsection may get a little thicker and your clothes might not fit you. However, this symptom is experienced much earlier in the second pregnancy than the first pregnancy but it is much easier for the muscles to relax once the pregnancy begins.
Bleeding
You might have heard about implantation bleeding. It is light spotting just after the conception as your uterus is getting ready to nourish your fetus. You may consider it as a period. So it is important that you carefully analyse your symptoms. This spotting may not last for too long. It is common and normal in early pregnancy.
Vomiting and headaches
Second PregnancyNausea and vomiting in pregnancy are very common. It can show as early as two weeks after the conception. As the hormones change, women can experience abrupt headaches. Headaches and vomiting are one of the common and usual signs that you are pregnant in both first and second pregnancy.
What Makes Second Pregnancy different from the First?
You might or might not feel the same when you are pregnant with your second baby. There are several differences a second pregnancy might differ from the first one.
You might encounter the symptoms earlier
You are likely to experience the signs of pregnancy a little sooner than the first. The abdominal and uterine muscles get stretched after the first pregnancy and they can now hold the growing fetus pretty easily so your symptoms are inclined to show a bit earlier than the first one. Even your bump will show up sooner than it did the first time.
More tiredness and aches
Ouch! This one is gonna hurt but your aches and pains are going to be severe in your second pregnancy. Back pain and pain in the pelvic joints are common in pregnancy. If you have weak abdominal muscles, then in the second pregnancy you’re going to endure some severe back pains which means more tiredness and fatigue.
Shorter labor
You heard it right! The second pregnancy has a good advantage of faster delivery and labor. Although, it may differ for some women. Your body knows how to hold a baby in it and your cervix is going to open easily this time which makes the baby pop out of it easily. Many doctors believe that delivery is much easier in second pregnancies.
You may feel the baby kicks and movements earlier
If you are a second-time mom, you might feel the fetal movements and kicks earlier than with your first baby. It is because of the reason that your body knows how to recognize the fetal movements. Mostly, first-time moms feel the kicks around 5 months of pregnancy, on the other hand, second-time moms may feel it around 4 months.
Are there any complications in the second pregnancy?
There may or may not be any complications in your second pregnancy. It depends on the health of the mother and the baby. Consuming vital nutrients and vitamins during your pregnancy is crucial. The likelihood of any complications like the postpartum haemorrhage is increased after every pregnancy. It is probable with women having more than one pregnancy.
Postpartum haemorrhage is a life-threatening condition if you are not careful enough. You must always check for unusual bleeding and immediately contact your doctor if you feel something is wrong. Proper care and nutrition may prevent these complications.
How to prepare yourself for the second pregnancy?
Expecting a second child can mentally and physically affect a mother’s life. You need to be mentally and physically strong to give birth to a healthy child. As the symptoms may be a little harsher on you during the second pregnancy, you must take proper nutrition and exercise well.
As you might have an older child with you, you need to teach them that their sibling is growing inside you so that they are also ready for a new member to be added into the family. You need to take care of two little loved ones, so might as well take care of yourself for their better nurturing.
Take a balanced diet, sleep properly and timely, perform favorable exercises and most importantly take care of yourself. Call the doctor immediately if you feel anything is wrong. Have a happy pregnancy and lovely motherhood.
Also Read; How Convenient Second Pregnancy Can Be For A Mother
