2Nd Time Pregnancy- Different from the First?

Updated on July 10, 2008
B.M. asks from Chandler, AZ
20 answers

Hello! Well, I have an 11 month old son and am now pregnant again. I am only 11 weeks but I can tell this time around is going to be different. The first time you couldn't really tell I was pregnant till about 6 months and no morning sickness. Now, I get "morning sickness" all day long- actually vomiting. Also, I swear my belly is starting to poke out already.. I don't know if it is from pregnancy or maybe I am just starting to gain weight (I don't own a scale so I'm not really sure). I just want to know from all you moms out there what to expect the second time around and any suggestions you might have for the morning sickness would be great. Thanks so much!

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A.B.

answers from Phoenix on

I am pregnant with #3, I have two boys. My first son I was nauseas for a few weeks and then fine, I had a huge appetite and gained 60 lbs but it took around 4 months before I began to truly show. My second son I was able to wear my regular clothes until around 7 months and then I switched into my maternity gear. I only gained 25 lbs and lost it two weeks after he was born. This time around, I wound up losing 10 lbs from my starting weight in the first 5 weeks and am slowly regaining. I am 4 lbs shy of my starting weight so I haven't actually gained any weight yet and I am almost 14 weeks. I have had the worst nausea especially when I am brushing my teeth, but it is constant all day. I have serious food aversions where I cannot eat any animal product except eggs and milk so I have been living off veggies, rice and pastas. I have not actually thrown up though this time and I threw up almost every morning when I brushed my teeth the last two times. Even though I have not gained any weight I swear my belly is popping out, my husband thinks I am crazy but my pants all still fit because I had lost those 10 lbs. I have been wearing my maternity tops though because it feels like it fits better than my other clothes... So I think my belly is popping and some people say it is and others say I do not look preggers. Every time is different and unpredictable. Good luck and I wish you the best.

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M.L.

answers from Phoenix on

Ginger ale was a huge help to me with morning sickness-ginger settles the stomach.

The 2nd time around is a lot different, bigger quicker and a lot more aches and pains, esp. in the pelvic area. My dr. called them 2nd baby pains and they are normal.

Good luck. My babies are less than 15 months apart and are great together.

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M.K.

answers from Flagstaff on

The second pregnancy is very different from the first. I showed almost immediately and my morning sickness was much worse. I actually lost weight the first 2 months. Now, to help with the morning sickness, I kept a pack of saltines by my bed. Before I even sat up I ate a couple. It really helped with that early morning nausea. Always eat when you should. Missing a meal or snack makes you feel sicker and light-headed. TUMS are great as well. They have a high amount of calcium which you need and they help tame a sour stomach. My doctor prescribed a medication for me as well. She was worried because i was not gaining weight. Everything i ate came back up. I don't remember the name but it is approved for pregnant women and they also use it for cancer patients to combat nausea. Good luck. My second pregnancy was definately my most difficult. Everything was just a little bit bigger, a little bit sorer and definately more uncomfortable. bonus though.....Delivery of #1 - 48 hours, Delivery of #2 - 45 minutes start to finish.

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H.L.

answers from Albuquerque on

I am probably not going to be the first or last to tell you that every pregnancy is different. I am a mom of almost 5 children up until the last few weeks I thought that my second pregnancy was the hardest. I was sick morning, noon, and night the whole pregnancy. The day before my daughter was born I went from throwing up to having labor diharrea I was in labor for about 23 hours and by the end I thought I wasn't going to make it but I did and now she is 11. This time it was a challenge to get pregnant probably because I am a little older this time. I was pregnant 2 months before this baby and the fetus stopped growing at 9 weeks I ended up having a D&C which was very painful and very difficult emotionally. I am now 8 months pregnant with my fifth child and just found out i have gestational diabetes which has proven to be a huge challenge. You mentioned that you think your belly is starting to poke out already, I am one of those women who starts to look pregnant at around 2 months. It wasn't that way with my first child but every pregnancy after that was. The only thing that helped with the throwing up was catnip tea. You take small sips on right after the other until you feel like your going to throw up but as soon as you do you will feel better and be able to eat. Good luck

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J.B.

answers from Phoenix on

CONGRATS, yes every time is diff. i have two and they were soooo diff. as far as the sickness, gingerale soda, gigersnaps cookies, hot teas, peppermints, sprite, saltine crackers, all worked for me. good luck. the first months are the worse, pray you don"t have it all nine 1/2 months. good luck, J.

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A.K.

answers from Albuquerque on

I showed a LOT earlier the second time too! I was also sick with both of my boys and found myself on a diet of lemonade and plain potatoes for a while!! Lemonade, lots of lemonade.

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B.C.

answers from Phoenix on

Every pregnancy for me was different!!!! BUT only with my first one did I not show for a long time...With # 2 and #2 I was pretty big by 3 mo. To the point that people assumed I was having twins by the time I was 6 mo. After your first one, you get bigger faster..usually! Good luck!

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E.B.

answers from Phoenix on

Hi,
I've had 4 children and every pregnancy was different from every other. With my first, people I saw regularly were just figuring out I was pregnant 3 weeks before she was born. With the second, the same people were asking my why I wasn't in the hospital when I was 5 months along. With the 3rd, I needed maternity clothes when I was barely 3 months along.
I had morning sickness all day with the first and when I ate certain foods the whole time. The second it was just in the morning. The last 2 I don't remember being sick.
Even though my first was a girl and the others were boys, they still were quite a bit different. Just the way the hormones work I guess.
Good luck with the new baby to come.
E.

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H.B.

answers from Flagstaff on

Hi B.,
I have four children, and each pregnancy was different. I drank a lot of red raspberry leaf tea for the nausea, and it worked like a charm. You can also take it in capsule form. No bad side effects and it also tones the uterus. Hope you get some relief!

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C.C.

answers from Phoenix on

I currently have an 11 month old and am 15 weeks pregnant. With the first, I was nauseous from morning till night, but never actually got sick. With this one, I have been vomiting and it's actually gotten significantly worse in the last week. I started showing much sooner with this one (even though I've only gained 3 lbs.) but I'm carrying much higher. I can still fit into my jeans, just need maternity tops, and with my first at 6 weeks I was too bloated to fit into any of my pants.

I have tried pretty much everything for the morning sickness--the wrist bands, ginger, two different medications from my ob, etc. and nothing has really helped.

Just keep in mind sick mommy usually means healthy baby.

Good luck!

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S.

answers from Phoenix on

Yes B., the second time around is much different than the first. Like you the first time was great and I too got pregnant when my baby was 8 months old. I have two boys 16 moths apart. They were both boys as I just said and the pregnancies were completely different. I was so sure it was a girl but no. Also I started showing right away and yes, you are showing already. The Dr. said that your tummy muscles are already stretched out and it just pops right out there when you get pregnant again, especially when it has not been that long. I was really sick the second time around, but only for the first trimester. Hopefully, your morning sickness will end soon. Remember to eat Saltines before you even lift your head off the pillow in the morning. Strangely, you feel sickest when you have nothing in your belly. Gingerale is also another stomach soother. Even if you don't feel like eating, at least try to drink a fruit slush or something like that. Congrats! I hope you feel better soon. You have some crazy years ahead of you, hang in there!

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D.J.

answers from Phoenix on

Congratulations!!

A woman will always start to show sooner with baby #2 - all the heavy-duty "stretching" was done with baby #1, so the baby doesn't have to work as hard to "show" the second time around.

I have had one baby, and I had horrible severe morning sickness with him (hyperemesis). Here are some things that can help:

- Peach leaf tea
- Other herbs: Wild yam root, ginger, peppermint, red raspberry leaf, alfalfa
- Sea bands (buy at a drug store - relief varies by woman)
- Homeopathics - Look up your symptoms on-line and see which would be appropriate for you. Some possibilities would be Sepia and Pulsatilla. These can be purchased at stores like Sprouts.
- Chiropractic care has been shown to help some forms of morning sickness.
- Eating something very often - perhaps hourly. If you're too sick to keep things down, you can try energy drinks like Ensure.
- Stay hydrated; try diluted Gatorade. The more dehydrated you are, the worse you will feel.
- There are prescription drugs available (Zofran, etc.) if it gets out of control.

Here is a link to my blog, which deals exclusively with severe morning sickness. This is probably way more than you need (you sound like you're dealing more with just normal morning sickness, not the severe kind), but you might be able to find something there:

http://whiningpuker.blogspot.com/

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C.S.

answers from Phoenix on

I was also sick the second time around(not at all the first) people said because the sex of the baby would be different (not true). Although I did not get a stomach for a long time or gain weight -because of all the throwing up-which I think would be your case also.
Go to an OB and get some promethazine(sp) or zofran-helps with vomiting safe during pregnancy-or if you dont have insurance try preggy pops, and ginger tea. Good Luck!

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C.S.

answers from Phoenix on

Just like every baby is different, so is every pregnancy. The only difference, is that you have a better idea of what to expect in labor (although that could be different) and what it is like to have the baby in your home and life. (and that will be somewhat different, too) When my employer had her second son, I was amazed at how surprised she was that he looked so different from the first! Each baby is a different person, this experience can be different, (or not). When your first pregnancy was ideal with no morning sickness, etc, your expectations are in line with that, and when it isnt, you are disappointed. Strive to feel good with this one, but know that this is a different pregnancy, and your body is different than it was with the first, even though it wasnt that long ago. Because it wasnt that long ago, your body is undoubtedly somewhat depleted yet from the first pregnancy, so bolster yourself with extra great nutrition and rest. Pamper yourself! You are a phenomenal woman!

There are great herbs that help with the "morning sickness". Red raspberry leaf tea should be every pregnant woman's daily beverage. Ginger, peach leaves, mint are others that can be helpful. Chewing on dried ginger pieces all day long can help with the nausea. Nettles is another tea that would be good....high in nutrition.

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T.R.

answers from Phoenix on

I too became pregnant when my son wqas 11 months old and felt as if as soon as I saw that positive on that pregnancy test I was showing. I spoke with my OB about this because with my first I wasn't in maternity clothes until 7 months and by 3 months this time around thats all I could get into. The Doc said that it is normal. The reason you start showing earlier is because your stomach muscles aren't what they used to be. I hear everything happens faster and easier this time because your body knows what it is doing (it's familiar with the process). I also was sick to my stomach (this was not a problem with my first) but never actually got sick and we are having a girl so maybe you'll get one of each as well! Best of luck!! :0)

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D.H.

answers from Phoenix on

Congrats! I got pregnant with my second when my son was almost 3, so it was quite a bit of time afterward, but I noticed that I started to show much faster. And my first pregnancy was a BREEZE compared to my second - I was sooooooo sick the second time around! (My second child is a girl, so maybe you're having a girl!) I was sick all day - all I could eat were potatoes and crackers. I ended up losing so much weight that the doctor put me on medication - but the medication made me bloated and crampy, so I just sucked it up and ate a LOT of crackers! LOL The morning sickness should pass, but if it gets unbearable, you can ask your doctor to give you something. Good Luck!!

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J.C.

answers from Tucson on

Congratulations! I just went through the same thing! My first pregnancy was wonderful compared to my second! Everything you're experiencing is normal. I had all the same things happen and I was a lot more achy! My Dr. said that the second pregnancy is almost always tougher than the second, but the good news is that labor and delivery are supposed to be easier than the first. My second labor and delivery was much easier and quicker!

As for the morning sickness, one of the things that I was told about that worked for me was lemonheads and lemonade! I carried a little baggy of lemonheads with me everywhere I went and as soon I started feeling nauseas I would suck on one of those or drink some lemonade. Most of the lemonades were a little strong for me, (I drink a lot of water and not much of anything else) but the one I really liked was the vitamin water lemondade!

My morning sickness passed shortly after the first trimester, but the bad thing is it came back a few weeks before the end of the third! The Dr. and one of my friends said that was normal!

Good luck and hope this helps!

A little about me: I'm a 31 yr. old stay at home mom of 2 boys- ages 3 yrs. and 3 1/2 weeks! I used to be a kindergarten teacher. I have wonderful husband and we've been married for almost 6 yrs.

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H.Q.

answers from Great Falls on

Every pregnancy is different. My first, I got nauseated some, but never had full blown morning sickness. Second, I was sick all the time. I didn't throw up, but every food there is made me super nauseated. I lost a lot of weight with #2.

Here are some things that are supposed to help (a little) with the nausea. Mint - I used non caffinated mint tea, but mint is supposed to be soothing to your tummy. Also chamomile is supposed to be soothing. I have a friend who had morning sickness thru her entire pregnancy. She drank chamomile tea and that helped her. My mother-in-law says almonds are supposed to help. I never tried that, tho so can't vouch for the truth of that statement. You can try those - see what does and doesn't work.

For each person, every pregnancy will be different. I know that doesn't help, sorry. Congratulations on #2, and take it easy. It seemes a lot more work being pregnant the second time while taking care of #1!

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S.M.

answers from Phoenix on

My second pregnancy was very hard on me. I had a 9 month old when I first found out. (sounds like we are in the same boat. He turned 18 months after I had the second baby) I think what made it so hard is I couldnt just lay around and relax and sleep like I could with the first. I had to still be a Mommy to someone else! I think you also kinda know what to expect more the second time around so you are more in tune with your body. Good luck!

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C.M.

answers from Phoenix on

Every pregnancy is different. You might be having a girl this time - someone joked to me that "two women were never meant to inhabit the same body - there's just too much hormones". As far as your belly - your uterus is already stretched out from the first baby, especially since he is so young still, so it's going to grow quicker. Think of it as a balloon that's already been blown up. For me, keeping bland food on my stomach helped a lot, crackers, bagels, cereal without milk. Keep smells around the house simple too. Stay hydrated - maybe with ginger ale or 7 up if that is more appetizing than water and more palatable than juice. Good luck and congratulations!

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