I’m officially out of the first trimester of my second pregnancy. I’ve heard every pregnancy is different, both between different women and even different pregnancies in the same woman. I’ve heard it, but I didn’t fully grasp it until this pregnancy. I’ve had a hard time finding anything relateable on the world wide web, so I wanted to compare and contrast my pregnancies for all you moms thinking, “I don’t remember this from last time!”
Spending Time at the Porcelain Throne
During my first pregnancy, I was often found with my head in the toilet. Since I also had a job, I had to find a solution. After some internet research coupled with trial-and-error, I discovered that protein bars and hard candies during waves of nausea kept me from dashing to the bathroom. In that pregnancy, my nausea started around week eight and disappeared overnight around week 13.
When I found out I was pregnant at four weeks this time, I was relieved that I would have a few weeks before the sickness kicked in, and that I already knew what arsenal of snacks would help keep me out of the bathroom. Turns out, I only had a few days before morning sickness hit me, but at least the snacks were just as effective as last pregnancy. I haven’t actually thrown up (TMI? I feel like all of pregnancy is TMI) this time, but oh man, that nausea. As I write this, I’m just shy of 15 weeks and battling nausea like I’ve never experienced in my life. I’m not actually getting sick, but I’ll have spurts of nausea lasting around an hour that are just unreal. At almost 15 weeks. Yes, it’s disappointing.
Daydreaming About the Dreams I’ll Have Tonight
Being a mom is exhausting. Being a pregnant mom is inexplicable (it took me about 45 seconds to come up with that word because I’m dealing with pregnant-mom-to-a-toddler brain). When I was pregnant the first time, I so vividly remember thinking, “I don’t know how women go through pregnancy when they already have other kids to take care of.” Honestly, I still don’t know how stay-at-home moms do it. I work full-time, so I spend about 40 hours a week sitting in a cushy chair in my air-conditioned office. I’m not out in the summer heat chasing a toddler, or trying to come up with ways to keep her entertained, or using nap time as an opportunity to clean the kitchen, but I’m still so, so tired.
I could easily fit in the space under my desk, and most days I think to myself, “I could sleep under there. I could just close the door to my office, curl up and fall asleep, and no one would know.” Of course, I don’t actually do that out of pure fear of someone coming in my office and finding me asleep. Maybe if the door to my office locked. But I digress. I regularly fell asleep on the couch right after dinner during my first pregnancy, and I think I’m doing just slightly better this time. I haven’t actually drifted off to sleep before managing to get myself into bed. I really think it’s because I value my adult time so much. I come home from work, spend time with my daughter, put her to bed, and then I get to have some quiet time with my husband, which really is the best part of my day.
The Belly Situation
Hooooooly cow. I can remember looking at my belly at 15 weeks during my first pregnancy and thinking, “I can kind of make myself look pregnant.” But, really, that belly was more burritos than baby. Now, my pants hurt at just under 15 weeks. My belly touches many of my blouses that used to be a loose fit. Depending on what I wear, I look like I must have recently upped my calorie intake and it all went straight to my stomach. Luckily, leggings help my stomach round out, which makes me look more pregnant than pudgy.
The Random Reminders
I remember during the second trimester of my first pregnancy, I would forget that I was pregnant. This time, there always seems to be a constant reminder (mainly my too-tight pants that demand to be unbuttoned when I sit). My hips already feel loosey-goosey. I know this happened in my third trimester last time, so I’m a little annoyed that I’m already constantly having to reposition myself in my chair and sleep with a pillow between my knees. My lower back seems to be aching, and I swear I can feel my inner organs moving out of the way in anticipation of the impending uterus takeover. In general, I’m just a little more uncomfortable in a lot of ways.