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by Jamie Thompson
Updated: November 10, 2020
Originally Published: June 19, 2015
1. The Learning Curve
First Pregnancy: You dive into every pregnancy book you can find, from childbirth techniques to diet tips.
Subsequent Pregnancies: You steal a few minutes to flip through gossip magazines instead. After all, you need to know what the latest buzz is about celebrities like Sarah and Mark. You’ve read enough; now it’s all about survival.
2. Extracurricular Activities
First Pregnancy: You attend prenatal yoga, water aerobics, and every available class on childbirth.
Subsequent Pregnancies: You barely have time to breathe, let alone join a class full of first-timers obsessing over labor. Let’s be honest: it’s rough, but it ends.
3. Nursery Preparedness
First Pregnancy: Your nursery is immaculate and ready for the baby by 25 weeks, with everything color-coordinated.
Subsequent Pregnancies: Wait, I’m having another one? Panic sets in, and you scramble to prepare the nursery at 39 weeks.
4. Your Diet
First Pregnancy: You meticulously maintain a balanced diet to ensure optimal development for the baby.
Subsequent Pregnancies: Dinner time means snagging leftover chicken nuggets from your toddler’s plate while juggling bedtime chaos.
5. Your Social Life
First Pregnancy: You still go out with friends, putting on a brave face to show that being pregnant won’t change you.
Subsequent Pregnancies: Unless someone offers you free tickets to an event with your favorite celebrity, you kindly tell your friends to take a hike. You’re busy being pregnant.
6. Diagnosing Mystery Ailments
First Pregnancy: You call your OBGYN at the slightest twinge or worry.
Subsequent Pregnancies: If it’s not life-threatening, you brush it off and keep moving.
7. Talking/Thinking About Baby
First Pregnancy: Your pregnancy is all-consuming; it’s what you think about constantly.
Subsequent Pregnancies: You think about it twice: once when the pregnancy test reveals two lines, and again when it’s time to rush to the hospital.
8. Weight Gain
First Pregnancy: You fret over weight gain and what your post-baby body will look like.
Subsequent Pregnancies: You embrace that extra slice of cake without guilt because, let’s face it, stretch marks are happening regardless.
9. Fetal Movements
First Pregnancy: Each kick is a moment to cherish, halting your busy day to marvel at the miracle of life.
Subsequent Pregnancies: Sure, it’s exciting when the baby kicks, but if you’re on your way to grab a donut, you’re not pausing. Babies love donuts too, right?
10. Expectations
First Pregnancy: You envision your baby as a perfect angel.
Subsequent Pregnancies: You’ve learned to accept that your little one might just be a tiny tyrant who cries for hours and creates chaos.
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In summary, the journey through pregnancy evolves significantly from the first to subsequent experiences. Initially, there’s a deep focus on preparation and expectations, but with each new pregnancy, the approach shifts towards practicality and a more relaxed attitude. The excitement and challenges remain, but the learning curve becomes more about adaptation than perfection.