Things they don't mention about second (or third, or fourth or fifth....) pregnancies.....

[HeadFairy]

Inspired by the other thread...

No one told me the stretching pains would be so much stronger than the first time... surely I've stretched enough already? My uterus must be like a saggy plastic bag.

You'll be eyeing up maternity clothes about three seconds after you've peed on that stick.

I'm only 14 weeks in so there's got to be some more...

[samja]

That it gets harder not easier. I'm 32 wks with no 3. SPD is worse and my uterus feels totally unsupported by my body because all the muscles are done in from the other 2.

Some people just pop them out over and over though so its not like this for everyone!

[turtle23]

That you wont always remember how pregnant you are(unlike the first time when you knew to the minute!)...or sometimes that you are pregnant at all.

That if you are still breastfeeding the first one it huuuuuuurts.

I second the stretching. That makes no sense. It kills!

[turtle23]

Oh...and your boobs may not get lovely and full-looking again.

[HeadFairy]

Turtle, I thought the whole forgetting you're pg thing was because I've had a couple of mcs and was just being detatched about things until later... nice to know it's normal. I have to write in my diary what week I'm up to as I have no idea sometimes!

[maybebaby23]

Eeek im 14 weeks with my 2nd and i haven't had awful stretching pains this time just occasional on and off period like aches and twinges! Paranoid that its not growing now!

[Picante]

That you have to occupy a toddler while wanting to vomit.

[sweetkitty]

Afterpains, OMG thought there was another one coming out

That SPD gets worse

Being pregnant with toddlers is hard

You feel like your fanjo is dragging on the floor behind you

No one else bothers that you are pregnant AGAIN

After the birth you are just expected to get on with it instead of being treated like a PFB Princess New Mum

Even though you have been through labour once you are still scared, this time you KNOW what is coming

[reikizen]

On the plus side sometimes I struggle to get my gloves on and pack open in time when it is a second baby. You can't take your eyes of them for a second...
third labours are a strange mix of the two and very unpredictable!
Afterpains, much worse 2nd, 3rd etc time round - be prepared!

[mum27]

That nobody stops a runaway toddler when they can see you look like a whale.

That you never thought you would throw a carton of milk at said runaway toddler because you're just too big to chase them.

Forget filled out breasts, that they would never even end up back in the area as they started before DC1.

That no matter how many pregnancies you have you still won't have all the answers.

That people give you a strange look before they say congratulations....which doesn't sound convincing. Maybe it's just that I'm on my 8th

[loganberry12]

That Braxton Hicks feel much stronger and can be painful the more children you have. 5th baby and they are painful like im in labour only 32 weeks so got another 8 weeks of it

[Pinkjenny]

That you will learn to vomit in a cheerful manner, so as not to alarm dc1.

[helsbels4]

Definitely the after-pains. Nobody told me about them and I thought I had another baby in there wanting to come out! Was like labour pains all over again.

[jaype]

Didn't get the stretching pains with the first two, but this time I thought my uterus was falling out - for a week they woke me up at 5am every day in agony.

That under 6s get quite blase about vomiting 'hang on postman, mum's just being sick again'

That three year olds have ears like an elephant and will tell everyone at nursery you have a baby in your tummy within a week of peeing on the stick, even when you think you haven't mentioned a thing in front of them.

[kathyis6incheshigh]

That it is bloody hard to find time for scans, antenatal appointments etc when you have 2 dcs to run.

[5inthebed]

That you can actually get more stretch marks! Even my stretch marks have stretch marks now.

I never had after pains after any of my 3 DC?

Definitely that nobody is that bothered about any subsequent pregnancies after your first one.

[princessmel]

I am scared about the after pains! This is no3, they are going to be awful arent they?

My boobs are huge! I am wearing the bras that I wore when my milk came in with ds, so the biggest size I own. I have still got 16 weeks to go!

[mrsradders]

princessmel i too am terrified of the afterpains i was in pure agony after DD2, so i'm going to ask for painkillers from doctor for after to be prepared (planning another homebirth)i couldn't stop crying it ruined the first 48 hours for me!!!

i think with the 3rd i'm feeling more up to demanding to be treated like a princess after labour....i know what to expect from the whole scenario and plan to ask for help give orders etc to make things easier for everyone...i'm not SUPERWOMAN!!!! lol

[sweetkitty]

I didn't have afterpains with DD2 but with DD3 OMG, I was having a natural third stage and wantes some time with the baby before the cord was cut but I was in so much pain I couldn't even look at her

mrsradders - I was prescribed Cocodamol after DD2 and 3 both homebirths, once they kicked in I was fine

[mosschops30]

That during your 3rd pg, by the time you get to 20 weeks you will look like you did full term with 1 and 2
I am so big I can hardly move, am signed off for a weeks 'rest' as am so exhausted
Ditto boobs will be massive as soon as you pee on the stick and again will be wearing maternity bras that you only needed when breastfeeding others!

[maybebaby23]

Haha i totally agree with whoever said you will learn to vomit in a cheerful manner so as not to alarm your dc!! Also that about 3 year olds rushing into nursery and telling everyone!! Mine stood up in circle time and announced our news that we had yet to announce to her (or so i thought!) lol!

[audreyraines]

lol at vomiting cheerfully. i can almost keep a conversation going now whilst vomiting into the nearest tree/gutter.

[kathyis6incheshigh]

Yup, smiley vomiting. Also vomiting multi-tasking - dressing a toddler with one hand while clinging onto the toilet bowl with the other.

[audreyraines]

x post kathy.

also changing ds nappy, vomit into nappy sack, continue changing nappy is one of my fav's.

[phdlife]

that whole "labour is faster" thing? nobody warns you how much faster (10hrs 1st time. 45mins 2nd time. emcs in both cases...)

the effects of relaxin are much stronger too - I could hardly walk after dd's birth.

[audreyraines]

i am petrified that in expecting a 'fast' labour, i might actually be slower. i've got a 4 hour record to beat!