For those with 1 or more children . . .

[Mizelenius]

. . .does this pregnancy, so far, seem different this time around?
Do you feel more or less excited, or the same as previous times?

For me, this PG is different so far because the m/s isn't as bad (which, of course, makes me worry). Is there any truth to the idea that your m/s feelings correlate to the gender? Hmm . . .

Anyway, I can't say that by any means, I am less excited about the baby this time around. However, all the things I thought about in the past are just not an issue. I used to get SO excited for doctor's appts., but now I just seem them as one more thing to do (and you don't do much at these-- EVER!). I would plan everything as though my life started once the baby was born, but that's different now that I have a toddler. Other than some diaper covers and maybe a new sling (and clothes if it's a boy), I think I'm pretty much done buying . . . .so the planning element is gone.

I really enjoyed being pregnant the first time, but I think this time I'm more relaxed . . .it's peaceful to know that there's nothing to do but live life, and eventually, that baby will come!

[MaryLang]

I know what you mean about the planning element being taken care of, if its a girl, I have all the clothes, if its a boy, I'll borrow them from my mom. I must say though that I am more excited this time, with dd I was so worried all the way through that something would happen. This time I'm more confident. This pregnancy is much harder than my first. I have constant m/s, innsomnia, food aversions (there has to be a more powerful word, than "food aversion"), tiredness. I think I would be so happy all the time if this m/s would just let up a little. And your right, it is a much more peaceful feeling.

[aprildawn]

yep.

this time has been different in both ways -- my symptoms are completely different and my emotions are different too.

i've had nosebleeds, insomnia, specific food aversions and cravings, less m/s (but i've also been home more and driving less which might be contributing to having less queasiness), i'm more tired, and ACNE! with dd i had gorgeous skin, general food aversions and cravings, slept beautifully, and never had a nosebleed.

emotionally i'm more aware of what's happening at each stage of pregnancy which is making me feel more connected to the baby. i'm not as naiive as so what can go wrong which makes me worry more. and i'm thinking more about the birth and about what life will be like after the baby comes. with dd i was totally unprepared for anything after the birth which made for a very difficult adjustment.

with dd we had already painted her room by this point and started getting things ready. this time i have a color in mind, but the room we'll be using is a wreck! (and who am i kidding? because i know the baby will spend most of his/her sleeping hours in our room anyway.)

[mrzmeg]

I know what you all mean about being more relaxed! I think for me, a lot of it comes from really understanding the LENGTH of pregnancy...I went to 43w with my ds, so I'm not in nearly as much of a hurry as I was last time.
My m/s hit earlier this time, but has already tapered off. I just hope it's not getting a second wind! I think I am more tired this time, but I'm not able to indulge it like I did last time. All in all, I think it's been easier so far. I have been a lot busier this time, which I think helps.
Yesterday, I randomly asked my ds "where's the baby?" just to see what would happen (we have talked about babies and mamas in general terms, but nothing about me specifically being preggo). He pointed to my belly! SO sweet!

[sarasprings]

I actually feel a little neglectful because I'm not thinking of this baby very much. A friend gave me her copy of a week by week pregnancy book and yesterday I looked at how big the baby was and was shocked. It's formed and huge (I'm 10 weeks). I totally forgot it would be like that already. When I went to bed last night I made a point to rejoice in this pregnancy.

My ms is worse and I'm more tired, too. Yuck.

[heyitsnaomi]

This was a great thread to start, thank you. It made me think a little. Physically this time has been much different. With DD I really didn't start showing until I was barely 6 months! Now I am 10 weeks and I can already see my belly pooching out just a little bit. I was really surprised about that. With DD I had absolutely no m/s at all (lucky me!). But this time it was CONSTANT for the past 5 weeks, although the past couple days it feels like it is letting up a little. But my first pregnancy I was also sleeping about 16 hours a day for the first 4 months (no joke!). I was exhausted. I really don't feel so tired this time. Which is awesome, cause keeping up with Gracie takes a lot of energy most of the time.

As far as the emotional aspect...so true about being more relaxed. I had my nose in a book the entire first PG (What to expect, etc). I was constantly checking my online pregnancy calendars to see where the baby was develomentally, what I could expect that week. It kinda makes me giggle now. My Mom asked me yesterday how far along I was exactly, and I had to stop and think about it for a few minutes, LOL! This time feels really good actually. For me it comes down to confidence, ya know...as a mamma I mean. I didn't have that the first time, there was so much uncertainty. I think that is where the relaxation comes in, it feels good.

[Stream]

This is our second pregnancy, but our first *planned* pregnancy, which I think makes a bit of a difference as well. The first time around, I think my symptoms were pretty similar (though I'm much more tired this time), but there were a lot of emotional issues to figure out. We wanted the baby, but we were engaged, living in different cities, yada yada yada.

I wish I could say I felt more calm about this pregnancy, but, as much as I hate to admit it, I think I'm a bit of a worry-wart about things that are out of my control. Once we hear the heartbeat, I'll feel a lot more confident, I think. I think one part of me worries more because we planned this pregnancy to the minute-- it's like we chose the baby rather than the baby choosing us. I can't explain it exactly, but it makes me worry on some abstract level.

On the other hand, I don't sweat the details like I did the first time. Aside from the miscarriage possibility, I feel perfectly capable of growing a strong, healthy baby. Not anxiously awaiting midwife appointments like I did the first time-- it's just one more thing to do.

Interesting thread...

[sleet76]

Great thread!

I have had very similar symptoms from the last time, but haven't given them as much thought--hence they seem to be much less. I can't indulge my triedness, and I am busy chasing around my 15-month-old. It is amazing to me that I have to think about how far along I am (11 weeks tomorrow)--last time I knew to the minute, just about. Overall, I think I just think aobut it so much less, which is making the time go much more quickly.

I also am already showing a little bit--nothing that a stranger would notice, nor am I looking "pregnant". However, I do have a little pooch, and my tighter-waisted jeans are NOT cutting it the last two weeks. With pregnancy #1, I wasn't in maternity clothes until around 24 weeks or so (including pants), and now I am already totally filling the "fatter" of my regular pants rather fully.

It is definitely a different experience!