By: Sarah Thompson
Until recently, I was rather self-assured about my first pregnancy. I couldn’t comprehend why many women expressed dissatisfaction with their experiences, firmly believing that I was simply exceptional at carrying a child while others struggled. Nausea? Stretch marks? Weight gain? Heartburn? I thought those were merely complaints from women who weren’t handling it well. I was convinced I had a superior grasp of what it meant to be pregnant—how naive I was.
Fast forward to my current pregnancy, and the tables have turned dramatically. The discomfort is relentless: I feel enormous, achy, and have found myself visiting the doctor’s office more frequently in just one week than I did throughout my entire first pregnancy. It’s clear that this baby is a completely different character from my first child. Here’s how things have changed:
Diet and Exercise
During my initial pregnancy, I adhered to a strict regimen of daily walks and a healthy diet rich in salmon and spinach. I meticulously tracked my protein intake and followed a checklist of exercises designed for birth preparation. It was a bit excessive.
However, my diet this time has revolved around avoiding anything that might trigger nausea and salvaging leftovers from my toddler’s plate. My exercise routine mainly consists of chasing my 3-year-old and making frequent trips to the bathroom throughout the night.
Body Changes and Weight Gain
While I hesitate to boast, my first pregnancy left me with minimal physical consequences. I gained 25 pounds and returned to my pre-pregnancy weight by my six-week postpartum checkup, attributing my lack of stretch marks to good genetics and a pricey oil I applied daily.
This time, however, I stopped weighing myself after I reached the weight I hit during my previous delivery—about halfway through the second trimester. Discussing stretch marks with you would likely lead to an emotional meltdown, so let’s leave that topic alone for now.
Birth Experience
I was fortunate to have a positive birth experience with my first child. I never experienced the intense urgency to “get this baby out of me,” likely because I was in labor right on my due date. Despite my thorough preparation for a natural birth, which included 12 weeks of childbirth classes, I eventually opted for an epidural. The experience humbled me greatly.
Now, I face uncertainty regarding how this birth will unfold. I’m equally anxious about the prospect of preterm labor and the possibility of being induced for going past my due date. My perspective has shifted, shaped by the experiences of other women who faced more challenging labor situations. I now understand that childbirth is a process that deserves respect rather than strict control. My aim this time is to set aside my pride, accept whatever happens, and prioritize a safe delivery for both myself and my baby.
Recovery
My mother once told me, “You get one free pass. The first recovery is easy; after that, it takes real work.” If only she knew how much work I’d have ahead of me. I’ve already been advised to pursue pelvic floor therapy (essentially physical therapy for the pelvic area) and expect to carry other signs of this journey, such as hemorrhoids, for quite some time.
The process of growing, birthing, and caring for babies is undeniably challenging. I am profoundly grateful for the experiences I’ve had. The miracle of bringing a healthy baby into the world is not lost on me, and I find myself humbly praying for that miracle once more.
This reflection serves as both an apology for my previous arrogance and a warning to those who may relate: appreciate an easy first pregnancy, as it might be a blend of fortune and the universe’s clever way of encouraging you to try again.
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