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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Are second + pregnancies more difficult/do things happen faster?

18 replies

bohemianbint · 19/02/2008 13:05

I'm just wondering because I'm on pregnancy number 2 and I've been much sicker than I was with DS. Some people say this is because I'm (obviously ) having a girl this time, but other people have said that second time round you cop it worse.

I've definitely had to get into maternity clothes sooner than I did last time (and I can't blame that entirely on Christmas excess!) and someone was saying yesterday that you feel the baby move earlier in subsequent pregnancies.

So what's the deal - is it anything to do with the number or is each pregnancy different in each person?

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3andnomore · 19/02/2008 13:08

Hm...I only had boys, and my 2. pg was , all in all, my best really...however, I had a 6 1/2 year agegap, so, it was a bit like a first time pg on my body...however, only had 21 month between #2 and #3 and I by 24 weeks I looked fullterm and I found that pg very diffilcult, physically...not because anything was wrong, just everything felt more difficult, etc...

NatalieJane · 19/02/2008 13:11

I think some of it has to do with the number, you body has been there and done it before, it knows what to do. And you have also been there and done it before, so you know what to do.

Can't really help with the sickness as I got away with it both times but I deffo had to wear maternity clothes earlier, and ditto with the earlier movements.

Second+ births tend to be quicker but more intense, I think as a very rough guide they say each labour time halves, which wasn't true with me, first labour was 12 hours, second was 2 hours!

I did find I didn't feel half as good with my second pregnancy, with my first I did the whole blooming thing, second I looked like a dog for the most part!

But as you say everyone is different, and I expect I will be different again in my third pregnancy, just the way it goes.

Congrats BTW, when are you due?

Original poster

bohemianbint · 19/02/2008 13:12

That's interesting. There's going to be 24 months between my two and this time around I've caught every bug going, been shattered and it definitely does feel more difficult. And I'm still only 3.5 months!

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bohemianbint · 19/02/2008 13:14

Thanks Natalie - am due in mid August, and yes, I look absolutely horrendous most of the time. I've never had so many spots, it's not fair!

Looking forward to feeling some movement though, that's my absolute favourite thing in the world.

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3andnomore · 19/02/2008 13:18

bohemian, if you are running around after a toddler, etc...you are bound to be more run down physically!

As for the Birthtime halving...well...that wasn't true for me at all...however, whilst my 2. Birht was a very very slow progress, it was a wonderful expeirence, and much more painless due to the slowness....so, I didn't mind it taking more then double as long as the first time round...

Hehe, I have hear da saying, old wivestale, that boys give the mum to be beauty and girls take the mums looks...somehting along those lines...

coastalmum · 19/02/2008 13:20

All 4 of my pg very different. Same with labour, all 4 very different.

Definately felt baby move earlier and earlier with each pg.

NatalieJane · 19/02/2008 13:20

Awww summer baby, nothing better

I love the movements as well, especially a bit later on when you can see your tummy moving Have spent many a time looking on YouTube to find more videos of baby movements, how sad is that?!!

Bky · 19/02/2008 13:22

I am 37 weeks with my second, fell pregnant when DD1 was around 9 months so not much of a gap either.

They started off pretty much exactly the same, didn't show any earlier and didn't feel baby move any earlier this time round.

Now though whereas the first time I sailed through it all, I am in loads of pain this time and can barely walk. Although maybe this is due to the fact that i now have a 17 month old to look after whereas last time on maternity leave I could lounge around all day.

Both babies are girls by the way.

mwro · 19/02/2008 13:30

I'm due any day now and got pregnant again when DD was 6 months. It's a boy this time but my bump is exactly the same! I showed around 2 months (with DD I showed at 3 months). I did feel more nauseous this time but I can't say I had real morning sickness with either pregnancy.

I have had A LOT more Braxton Hicks contractions this time and felt baby moving a lot earlier (mainly when I was carrying DD). I also had ligament pains around my uterus which I was told was normal as my muscles didn't have a chance to get strong again between the pregnancies.

Wish you all the best with your second pregnancy!

ps Hope my second birth goes as quickly as Natalie Jane's!!

PetitFilou1 · 19/02/2008 13:44

Most (if not all) of my friends felt sicker with second pregnancy - you are older, more tired and have another child to run around after! I am now on no3 and it is even worse this time - this is the LAST one!

Birth was also much faster. First was 7 1/2 hours second was 2 1/2 - be prepared...

Original poster

bohemianbint · 19/02/2008 13:46

God - I'm in real trouble then - because DS only took 4 hours, so this one's just going to fall out!

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Minkus · 19/02/2008 15:50

I am worried now too bohemianbint- ds was a 4 hourer too, maybe we should leave for the hospital (or call the midwife) the second our contractions start!

PetitFilou1 · 19/02/2008 16:02

Minkus
that is exactly what my midwife told me to do. Only I forgot. And ended up in hospital with 1/2 hour to go!

This time I am having a homebirth

sagitta · 19/02/2008 16:07

Hi BB,

I'm on pregnancy no 2 (30 weeks) and everything has happened much faster so far - I'm much bigger, my legs and ankles have already swollen (not till 40+ weeks last time), baby moved much earlier. Although I can see it's a bit scary for you, I am hoping labour will be faster after the three-day marathon dd put me through!

PS hope your clothes are smelling nice and clean now...

Minkus · 19/02/2008 16:08

Ha ha I did that too with ds, as of course everyone knows that first babies take hours and hours and there was no way I could be ready to give birth. If dh hadn't been so insistent that we should get to the hospital (bless him I don't know what I would have done without his clear headedness) I would have had an unplanned homebirth for sure

beepbeep · 19/02/2008 16:57

Same again re the 4 hour labour - DH is stressing already and we're only halfway through the pregnancy! I'm on 2nd pregnancy, DD is 15months and first one fine, this one absolute nightmare, just stopped feeling sick at 21 weeks, SPD kicked in a lot sooner, bigger earlier, got every illness under the sun from conceiving and generally felt crap throughout. Think some of it to do with having a yound one to chase round after so being tired anyway and also it being winter so more bugs going around (DD was born end Nov so preg through summer).

Also no complications re DD when pregnant, but this time have low lying placenta and also growth issues - had expected, with it being the 2nd that it would be easier - oh no!!

Original poster

bohemianbint · 20/02/2008 15:38

Thanks for all the replies and big sympathies to everyone having a rough trot!

I had a HB with DS1 and I think I'll definitely be having the same again this time.

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mariekg · 21/02/2008 00:40

well ive had three children 1 girl 2 boys and im pregnant with my 4th i had horrendous morning sickness with my daughter and only a little with my boys dont know with the 4th only just found out and with each baby they and i got bigger but the labours got easier as in quicker recovery but still just as painful sorry hope thats helpful

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