If you've had more than 1 pregnancy, please can you help?

[RosieThorn]

I've just found out I'm 5 weeks pregnant with second child. When pregnant with DC1 I was terribly constipated from the start but for the past couple of days I've been going to the loo more frequently. I stupidly internetted and have read that frequent bowel movements can be a sign of miscarriage. I've not had any bleeding but my tests aren't showing as strongly as they did at this stage with DC1. I was also very sick in my first pregnancy from 4 weeks but have had no sickness or nausea at all this time. I guess I'm looking for reassurance from people who've been through it more than once - were your pregnancy symptoms the same with all of them or different for each? Also does anyone know if there's any truth to the frequent loo trips being a sign of miscarriage or am I worrying over nothing? Sorry for being a bit angsty - I excitedly confided in someone I trusted before 12 weeks the first time round and she told me not to get excited until 12 weeks because "most" pregnancies result in miscarriage! That stuck in my head and now all I do is worry esp as I think I may have had a very early miscarriage some months ago

I don't know about bowel movements meaning miscarriage, but I am also pregnant with second DC 27 weeks, and this pregnancy has been very different to my first. With my first I had lots of problems with bleeding and was hospitalised at one point for 4 days but had a happy healthy baby, and with my second I haven't had any bleeding at all, I have had more nausea and morning sickness, less hip pain. So very different pregnancies. Hope that helps!

Mine have been very different although it did effect my bladder and bowels the same as you both times. If you are worried please just call the midwife or gp, even if you aren't booked in yet I'm sure they'll be happy to help even if it is just a quick chat on the phone.

I haven't been pregnant before so can't help you there but was also concerned about loo issues. Sorry for TMI but I switch between constipation some days and going to the loo really frequently others. At the very start of my pregnancy I was going all the time and read the same as you about miscarriage but it doesn't seem to have turned out that way as I'm still pregnant. Hope that puts your mind at rest a little.

My 3 pregnancies have all been very different. When pregnant with my 2DSs my bowel movements were very frequent, as in 3 times a day frequent (sorry for TMI) whereas I was constipated with my DD. I wouldn't worry at all.

Changed bowel habits are normal. Whether that's increased frequency or constipation.

How dark the line is means nothing about the viability of the pregnancy either I'm afraid.

You're pregnant. You can't know any more than that. I read nothing worrying or negative in your situation at all.

I'm pregnant with my second (27 weeks) and every symptom/problem I had first time round I haven't had this time, and vice versa. Try not to read too much into it (easier said than done I know) It's a horrible waiting game for the first few weeks.

Hi Rosie I'm sorry to hear you are worried, it's completely understandable. My DS is 11 months old and I am now 17 weeks pregnant with DC2. My symptoms have been completely different to last time, and there have been plenty of days where I have felt scared because I don't feel pregnant at all, whereas with my first I felt pregnant every day right from the start. I have not had unusual bowel movements with either pregnancy, but if you are worried you should talk to your GP as I'm assuming you don't have a midwife this early on. Your GP may refer you for an early scan, which will more than likely be internal but it's really not that bad. Just one thought; are you having any cravings or eating/drinking differently to how you would normally? Because that could obviously effect your movements.
My last pregnancy I was sick right from the start, and threw up at least once a day for 33 weeks. This time I was sick quite a bit to begin with but all done and dusted by about 12 weeks. Last time I felt baby move really early, this time I haven't felt anything amd I'm 17 weeks. Last time I was weeing for Team GB by this point, this time I don't have that symptom at all. It's probably absolutely fine. for you.

Step away from Google, and the tests! And your bullshit spouting friend tbh.
If it helps I am pregnant with DC2 and also had increased bowel movements in the early weeks. I am now 31 weeks and sometimes constipated, sometimes not. It's a funny old thing, growing a baby.

It could be too much iron in your diet? That can cause both diarrhea or constipation. The pregnancy vitsmins can make you feel sick too. Both my pregnancies were different (but both babies turned out to be the same sex). Be gentle with yourself, everything will be fine.

Thanks for the responses.
I haven't changed eating habits or had any odd cravings, the only difference is that with DC1 I was smoking when I conceived and quit as soon as I found out I was pregnant. I stayed quit so not having to contend with that this time, not sure if that would make a difference to symptoms or not.
Not booked with midwife yet - I was going to fill in the forms at the surgery next week as I've an appointment about an un-related issue - and I don't know the phone no to contact the midwife anymore. I'm a bit reluctant to contact gp as I don't want to waste their time over something that may be nothing.
I do feel a little more reassured reading your replies, thank you, and lorna stepping away from Google is probably the best thing I can do!

Both my pregnancies were quite different and I had early diarrhoea with my second but not my first. Take care of yourself. I found the BabyCentre groups with people at the same stage of pregnancy as me really helpful, especially in the early stages.
Congratulations on your pregnancy and take care.

Am pregnant with DC 3 - this one is different again to the previous 2!

Good luck Rosie I hope everything goes smoothly. If your GP is anything like mine s/he would rather see you and tell you there's nothing wrong, than have you worrying yourself to death. Also, I had a consultant throughout most of my pregnancy with my DS1 and the very first thing he said to me was "do not google anything" which I stupidly ignored, but he was right.

I had a lot of frequent bowel movements early on with DC1 (now two), and DC2 (29 weeks pregnant).

Sounds like tripe to me. Every pregnancy is different, and doesn't sound like you've anything to worry about.