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First Pregnancy vs Second Pregnancy… with a Toddler in Tow

Updated: Feb 13



Today, I looked over at my “infant” and realised she is not really an infant anymore. She is already crawling, pulling herself up with support, and looking way too ready to run off into toddlerhood. It was not long ago that I was still pregnant with her, but somehow, those days feel like a blur. Thinking back, I can barely remember much from my second pregnancy other than the fact that she was always moving. My sweet princess was a kicker, constantly reminding me she was there—probably preparing for her grand entrance into a life of chaos.


Pregnancy the first time around was like stepping into a magical bubble. I could nap when I needed to, take bump photos every week, and bask in all the excitement of growing a tiny human. The second time? A completely different game.


Having a toddler while being pregnant is the ultimate test of endurance. There is no such thing as “rest when you are tired” when someone is screaming for snacks, climbing onto furniture, or needing you to “look!” every five minutes. Sitting down for a break? Only happens when they are finally asleep. The bump updates? What updates? The only time I remembered was when I saw a first-time mum posting hers and thought, “Oh yeah… I should probably do that too.”


During my first pregnancy, I had the luxury of time. I could Google every symptom, track every milestone, and read endless lists of what to expect (spoiler: none of them actually prepare you). The second time, it was more of a just wing it situation. Less reading, more surviving, and a whole lot of “Wait… is that normal? Oh well, too late to worry now.” I had no time to obsess over baby development apps when I was busy making sure my toddler did not eat crayons or attempt another death-defying stunt.


Physically, it also hit differently. The first time, pregnancy felt like a glowing, beautiful journey. I rested when I felt tired, took my time waddling around, and even had moments to enjoy prenatal massages. The second time? I felt like I had aged ten years overnight. Everything ached sooner, my belly felt heavier, and instead of gentle prenatal yoga, I was stuck in a never-ending cycle of bending over to pick up toys and chasing after a runaway toddler.


Emotionally, it was a mix of excitement and constant mum guilt. The first time, all my attention was on the baby growing inside me. The second time, I felt torn between preparing for the new arrival and making sure my firstborn still felt loved. I worried about how he would adjust, whether I would have enough energy for both, and if I was even ready for two kids. Spoiler alert: you are never really ready, you just adapt.


Then there was the reality of preparing. My first pregnancy was all about setting up the perfect nursery, making sure I had the best baby gear, and researching everything down to the tiniest details. The second time? The hospital bag was packed last minute, and the nursery… well, let’s just say it was more of a figure it out later situation. I already knew half the things I bought the first time were useless, so I skipped the unnecessary stress.


Even though both pregnancies were completely different, they were special in their own way. The first was filled with wonder and excitement, the second was more chaotic but also came with a deeper appreciation for the journey.


Pregnancy with a toddler is exhausting, but it is also a reminder of how much we are capable of. Even when our bodies ache, even when sleep is a distant memory, we push through because that is what mums do.


Probably an unpopular opinion, but I really enjoyed pregnancy, even though I was hurting near the end. How do you even describe the feeling to someone who has never experienced it? It is like being completely drained, yet full of life at the same time. Weird, magical, and a little bit like carrying around a tiny boss who occasionally punches you from the inside.



 
 
 

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