No mother would ever forget the first time she learns that she is pregnant with her firstborn. After all, how many first pregnancies can a woman ever have, right (if only to prove the point)? Firsts are always special and when it comes to being a first-time mom, the emotions are doubled. It’s the first time that a woman experiences hormonal surges that defy even those that she has previously experienced with her monthly periods.
The hormonal changes cause the turbulence on a woman’s emotions during pregnancy. The spectrum of emotions ranges from unexplained melancholy, over jealousy (up to the point of being clingy), crying without reason, or it could also be extreme joy. It’s all hormonal, period. Although this is the case, most women still enjoy the firsts in having a first baby-the trips to the mall to buy as many baby products as your credit card could allow; the first time the husband leans and listens to the baby in your womb; the first appointment with the OB-Gynecologist. Everything’s a swirl and the emotions spike during this period.
But what happens when this is the second time that you’re expecting? Would there be less joy, more pain, less contact with your husband? Or would the experience be just as blissful?
It is important to remember that during subsequent pregnancies, it is normal to have less expectation because you have already experienced a first pregnancy. But this shouldn’t mean that it should be less wonderful. After all, think of the joy of bringing another life into the world-being a co-creator of some sort.
If you have a partner, it is important to convey what you are feeling (and so with him). Open communication between the husband and wife would make the pregnancy a lot more pleasant. The partner should be as patient and as caring as he was during the first pregnancy.
There are many factors that could hinder a woman from enjoying a subsequent pregnancy (whether it be the second, third, fourth or so on). Factors could include having a prior baby just a year or so ago (meaning, the first baby still craves for much attention); the woman wasn’t expecting another baby yet “it came”; the family is not financially prepared to welcome another family member; the list could actually go on and on.
Even if these factors present themselves, they are not enough reasons to worry too much. There are always ways to deal with these obstacles and you should rely on each other (for couples) for strength. Do something unique this time (something that you haven’t done during your first pregnancy). How about doing pregnancy exercises together with an entire class of pregnant women? How about having a pregnancy massage? There are professionals who can do this and it would greatly relieve all the stress that is bottled up in you.
Buying another book on pregnancy would also be a good way of learning something new. Who knows, you must have missed some vital information the last time. Also, you can get busy trying to look for a perfect name for your angel. Try to search for a name and its meaning and you will find out that it would occupy days if not months of your entire pregnancy (couples change their mind each time a new name with a greater meaning comes up).
Explore the world by doing what you love to do. If you’re a born writer, it’s time to concoct that special novel or non-fiction book. If you love to knit, well, there’s lots of time to do it! This last suggestion is best done with your partner: decorate the baby’s future room together. You will find out that this pregnancy (although not a first) can still bring the two of you much closer.
Your imagination should be limitless-there are so many ways to go through this subsequent pregnancy with much joy. Of course, carrying a child within you is far from easy but it’s worth it-you should know, this isn’t the first time you’re giving birth!