I’m currently 25 weeks into my second pregnancy. That means I’ve been pregnant for a total of 62 weeks of my life, which equates to over a year. Despite the fact that I have been a human incubator for this fairly significant amount of time, I still feel that I am hardly an expert on the topic. That being said, there are things I learned during my first pregnancy that have helped me in this second pregnancy.
Here’s what I wish I had known the first time!
Pregnancy Is Not Glamorous
Contrary to the common portrayal of pregnancy in the media, it is not glamorous, nor is it always “cute” or “beautiful.” It’s definitely been hard for me to accept my changing body and to let my husband experience the pregnancy alongside me: good, bad, and ugly.
You Can’t Do Everything You Used To (And That’s Okay)
I love to work out, but because of my history of pre-term labor, my usually intense sessions in the gym have to be put on hold during pregnancy. Sometimes it stresses me out when I desperately want to do sprints or lift heavy weights. I get discouraged even with the things I’m still allowed to do. I used to be able to touch my toes, but now my belly is too stinkin’ big. I’m learning to accept the things I cannot change and cut myself some slack during pregnancy!
“Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself”
Hormones are raging during pregnancy and make me feel like I’m on an emotional roller coaster every day. I’m laughing one minute (usually at something that’s not even funny), and then the next I’m crying because my husband left the milk out of the fridge. I’m not always a peach to be around during pregnancy, and sometimes my hormonal self is unfairly rude to others. I’ve got to constantly remind myself to take a deep breath and chill out.
Balance Rest and Social Time
The second I found out I was pregnant both times, I suddenly felt this wave of exhaustion that didn’t leave for nine months. Sometimes I just wish I could stay in bed all day and eat chicken salad and strawberry pop tarts. Rest is important, but I missed out on a lot of meaningful time with friends during my first pregnancy. I’m still working out a more reasonable ratio of rest to activity.
Get Creative
Some of my clothes don’t fit over my baby bump anymore, but I hate maternity clothes. I’m not allowed to do high impact workouts, but I want to stay active. I can’t eat dairy, but I’m craving ice cream. During this pregnancy, I’m turning the minor issues I’m facing into “fun” challenges. It’s been fun trying to create stylish maternity outfits with my pre-pregnancy clothes. Although I miss my intense workouts, it’s been fun trying new, low-impact exercises like barre and swimming! Instead of eating ice cream, I’ve been eating frozen fruit and enjoying it just as much. Get creative with pregnancy.
Enjoy It
After I had my first daughter, I was so happy to have her with me, but sometimes I missed the little things I got to experience in pregnancy, like feeling her kick. Most people only get to be pregnant a couple times in their life, if at all. Embrace this time, and make the most of it!
