Differences Between First and Second Pregnancies

I’m 16 week pregnant today and figured it’s about time I write up a first trimester post. I thought I would share the differences between first and second pregnancies because I was surprised at just how different mine have been. You’ve probably heard the phrase, “No two pregnancies are the same,” but that’s not just person to person but pregnancy to pregnancy. With Mason I was nauseous during my first trimester but mainly when I drove. I don’t recall the nausea lasting ALL DAY. There are a number of differences I want to point out, so I’m listing them below. Some that I heard are common amongst all second pregnancies and others that are more of a personal difference.

7 Things You’ll Likely Experience Sooner Your Second Pregnancy Than Your First:

1. You’ll probably feel pregnant sooner. Having been through pregnancy once you are more in-tune with your body and the signs of pregnancy. I knew before I could even take a pregnancy test that I was pregnant. I just had so many of the symptoms it was hard to ignore. With Mason I was completely unaware and it took something major for me to realize it.
2. You might show sooner. My baby bump started showing weeks earlier than it did with my first pregnancy. It wasn’t until 15 weeks with Mason that my bump was noticeable.
3. Feeling tired and/or fatigued early on. Depending on how far apart your two pregnancies are, you’re likely chasing a toddler, or have an active preschooler at home. After just a few weeks of being pregnant this time around I was feeling so tired and falling asleep so early each night. I am way more tired this time around. I have no idea how I would manage a 9-5 in an office right now.
4. You might notice your baby moving sooner. This I definitely experienced. I was so surprised how quickly I started feeling baby moving around. Justin didn’t believe me when I told him the first time I felt our baby. It was way sooner than with Mason.
5. Your labor might be shorter. Everyone I have ever talked to has always said that their second baby came much sooner than their first. I had to be induced with Mason so it was almost a full 24 hours from when I got to the hospital before Mason was born but after my water broke he arrived in just 3 short hours. I’m very happy we live just minutes from the hospital in case this baby does not need to be induced and my water breaks at home.
6. Breastfeeding should be easier if you’re going that route. Since your body has already been through it once you are more likely to get your milk supply in sooner the second time around making it hopefully easier to breastfeed your new baby. I definitely struggled to get Mason to latch and it took a few days for my milk supply to come in.
7. Postpartum recovery could be harder. You’re starting this pregnancy with everything already more stretched out than the first time around and therefore recovery can be harder. I struggled during my postpartum recovery with Mason and am definitely starting out in a very different place than with him for this pregnancy. I know it’s going to be hard work post birth but it’s more than worth it!

Personal Things I’ve Found To Be Different The Second Time Around:

1. Food aversions. I didn’t really have food aversions with Mason. There were a few cravings like for watermelon and pineapple and I did need to eat a bagel to keep from being nauseous but that was about it. This time around I can’t stand the taste of coffee and eating granola with oat milk has left my tummy feeling very upset. Also anything with too much sugar or dairy has been a no, no so far.
2. Melasma. I definitely don’t remember getting this with Mason. But I’ve noticed that this go round I already have some spots on my cheeks. I honestly didn’t even know this could be a symptom of pregnancy but here we are…learning something new!
3. Bump changes size throughout the day. I know that even pre-pregnancy our bodies can change throughout the day. I just don’t remember my bump growing ands shrinking so much in one day. I’m 16 weeks today and my bump is almost nonexistent first thing in the morning but shortly after I wake up and start my day my baby bump pops out and is so noticeable. By afternoon my belly looks so big and I am showing way more than I did the first go round. I know this is common for second and all subsequent pregnancies I just feel like depending on the day, time, and what I’ve done, I end up looking much farther along than I did at another part of the day.

Have you experienced any of these changes from your first to your second or subsequent pregnancies? I’d love to know if I am alone or have some fellow mamas going through the exact same changes as me.

Shop long sleeve bodysuits:

As always, thank you so much for stopping by the blog today!