Second pregnancy, smaller belly?

[L J]

Its rare that I need reassurance on anything pregnancy or birth related, but I really would like some reassurance on this. Its been bothering me for a few days, and getting it off my chest, so to speak, might help.

This is my second pregnancy. My starting weight with my first was about 15 pounds lighter than my starting weight this time, but I still started at a reasonable and healthy weight for my body type.

All variables are pretty much the same for this pregnancy and the last. I work a physically demanding job that keeps me on my feet and running for several hours a day. Same as last time. I eat high protein, lots of complex carbs, whole grains and dairy. Same as last time. I'm taking the same exact brands and amounts of supplements this time as last (prenatals, calcium & mag, omega 3s, garlic) and drinking the same pregnancy teas. Other than the teas, I drink nothing but water.

This baby has a different father than my last, not sure if that has anything to do with it.

I got HUGE with my first son. I mean, couldn't button my jeans by 12 weeks, was making store clerks nervous by 7 months just by being in their store.

This time, I'm a lot smaller. Baby boy #2 is lying transverse at the moment. I'm between 25-26 weeks right now (sure of O date) and that is different - my first son was vertical the entire 2nd and 3rd trimesters.

I can still wear my pre-pregnancy jeans, the ones that were low rise, and if I hold in my abdominal muscles, you can't even tell I'm pregnant. Its just so strange to me. At my one u/s at 16 weeks he was measuring right on for when I had figured my dates.

I have only gained about 8 pounds the entire pregnancy, but I have cut out all sodas and replaced with water, and I'm eating better, so I figure my weight is mostly just shifting.

I feel regular, strong movement that has gotten stronger over the past weeks as he has grown.

I just feel so strange to be so small. My belly just isn't big, and it isn't hard like it was with my last. It feels firmer than non-pregnancy fluff, but its not hard as a rock the way it was before. Anyone have any thoughts on this? Personal experiences?

[megviolet]

Well, i'm pretty big with this baby (my second). Big enough that random people need to ask if it's multiples, if i'm overdue, or just point out that my belly is huge BUT i'm smaller than i was with DD at this point. My weight gain is the same but my belly is 4" less.
My friend is 32wks with her second and she still does not look pregnant. People are surprised to find out she's expecting at all, nevermind that she's due so soon. She has an average/slim normal build so the belly should show but it doesn't, and she's gained only 12lbs so far.... with her 1st she gained 40lbs and looked typically pregnant.

2nd/subsequent babies have more room in there too, so they can be tranverse or whatever they want for longer before committing to vertical/head down. My baby was still (painfully) turning as it wanted when i was 36wks! Luckily, it's stayed head down and engaged in the last week or so (phew!)

Really, if you're eating well, drinking tons of water, and your fundal height is within normal then nothing to worry about. Did you get an ultrasound? Your OB/MW should be able to palpate to get an indication of the size of the baby and if he/she is measuring to dates too.

It seems weird when 2 pregnancies are so different, but nothing to worry about

[junipervt]

I'm pregnant w/ my 2nd. I started out about 15-20lbs bigger this time (was skinny when I got preg w/ DD). W/ DD I had to start wearing maternity pants at 10wks. This time I didn't until about 15wks.

[Carolinamom4]

I am way smaller with this baby (my 4th) than any other pregnancy. Didn't need maternity clothes until late second trimester, still can wear some nonmaternity pants. Am definitely carrying out more, not as wide. No one knew I was pregnant until I was close to 25 weeks. and at that time, I think I just generally had a pudgy look versus pregnant look. I haven't gained as much but started out higher in weight. Of course, we have had the stomach flu more than I'd like recently which is likely slowing the weight gain...

[aikigypsy]

I started this pregnancy about 5 pounds heavier than my previous (full-term) pregnancy and I've gained much less weight... well, I had until about 2 weeks ago when I suddenly started packing it on. I'm now about 17 pounds over my normal weight, 12 pounds over my pre-pregnancy weight. I'm at 25.5 weeks, according to the ultrasound dating (not sure of dates).

I wore bigger pants than my usual ones though the beginning of the 2nd trimester, and switched into maternity jeans a few weeks ago, maybe around 20 weeks, but I really didn't "show" until after that, and even now I just look a bit heavy or thick through the middle if you don't know me, or aren't looking carefully. Actually, today I'm wearing a pair of big-waisted but non-maternity pants, and they're a bit tight but fit comfortably. Lots of people I know around here gained less in their second pregnancies, too.

[JessieBird]

I started out the same weight with both pregnancies but got bigger faster with my first. Now that I am 25 weeks or so, I've caught up and am the same weight as I was with #1 at the same time. Sadly this time it's not all belly - more has gone to my thighs and butt than last time so my belly is still a bit smaller. Both are boys.

Baby #1 was measuring 2 weeks ahead while this one is measuring exactly on target. They'are all different!

[lrgs]

I'm the same way...........smaller with this baby then my last. I started off weighing about 20 pounds more then I did when I got pregnant with DD so I had a few pounds to spare. I wasn't massively overweight but overweight none the less. My last pregnancy I was constantly sick and throwing up, this time was no different. Last time I gained 35 lbs and this time around I am approaching 35 weeks and have yet to gain a single pound.......actually I lost 10 pounds and then gained those back so am at my pre-preg weight right now. The other day I broke up my favorite pair of regular jeans and they still fit......although I prefer the comfort of mat pants at this stage. I'm actually still wearing non-mat shirts. This was something that worried me through out my whole pregnancy. At my last OB appointment I was measuring a week behind so the OB sent me for an ultrasound to check babies growth. I was 34w1d at the ultrasound and baby was measuirng 34w5d and their "guesstimate" was about 5lbs 2oz so no issues with growth or size. I guess my height (tall) and lack of weight gain have given him room to hide in there. Baby was also transverse which would account for the measuring behind.