My first trimester second time around.

I've recently announced that we are expecting our second baby. This is my second pregnancy and although I'm only half way through, I've already noticed quite a few differences between the two. This is the story of my first trimester, second time around.

Finding out we were pregnant.

We found out we were pregnant second time around much earlier than we did the first. My first trimester, second time around has definitely felt much longer than the first!

We were a little late in discovering our first pregnancy as at the time I was taking Norethisterone. This was to delay my period as I was due on, on our Wedding day. And I definitely didn't want the stress of mother nature on my wedding day. I didn't realise at the time but Norethisterone can also be taken to help couples with their IVF journeys. As we'd been trying for a baby for a number of years I was unsure as to whether this had helped us fall pregnant or not.

It turns out it probably hadn't.

Second time around we fell much quicker. So much quicker in fact that we both had 'Oh shit' moments, wondering if we were actually cut out for two children under three. After three months of being off any contraception we saw those two blue lines on the exact date my period was due. I was eager & decided to check as my body usually tells me, rather aggressively, when I'm due on... And this time it didn't!

Initial first trimester symptoms.

There are lots of things you might expect from the first trimester. I was really lucky first time around so was fully expecting to feel like I'd been hit by a bus second time around. Surely I couldn't be that lucky twice?

I actually, kind of have! (I'm sorry to anyone suffering out there). There have been many similarities in my first trimester symptoms. Both pregnancies, I've felt it in my boobs first! Although breast tenderness is one of the easier first trimester symptoms to deal with, it's certainly the one I've been hit hardest with. I stopped wearing underwired bras from about 6 weeks and have fully embraced the more 'comfort is key' life when it comes to containing the tatas. I'm living in Weekday bralets from ASOS at the moment! They're an absolute Godsend!

I'm much tireder second time around. I don't know if it's because I'm running around after a toddler whilst pregnant or if it's just a case of I'm tired because I'm pregnant, but boy I'm really feeling it this time! I've had to learn to listen to my body so much more second time around. I've had to plan chilled days around busy days and vice versa, just to make sure I'm looking after myself.

I definitely feel much achier second time around too. But again I'm unsure as to whether this is pregnancy or toddler related. If I'm honest I'm a little bit worried about how well I'll be managing when I'm in my third trimester, especially as I'm feeling so stiff already!

My midwife appointments.

I've experienced my first trimester, second time around during the third national UK lockdown. This has meant that things have been slightly different than before.

And for that reason we decided to go for a private ultrasound scan using Miracle Inside when I was around 8 weeks. We chose to do this as I wouldn't actually see my midwife until just before my 12 weeks scan. I had a telephone consultation with her when I was around 8 weeks pregnant, however it felt like we were running more through formalities. If I'm totally honest, it felt like she was only asking me if I'd ever had any health problems, or if any issues ran in our families.

Even though it's my second pregnancy & I knew I was definitely pregnant, I feel like I needed somebody to physically tell me 'Claire, you're pregnant'.

Thankfully I'm considered low risk which means my future appointments will be slightly further apart than first time around. My next midwife appointment will take place when I hit 26 weeks. This means I have a timescale of 14 weeks between the midwife appointments which to me seems like such a long time. I'd have liked to have had a midwife visit in between. It's obviously a good thing I'm low risk, but I could really do with the reassurance.

Who we told & when.

We were much more guarded last time. We got married when we were 10 weeks pregnant and hadn't told anybody apart from our parents. It was our little secret which was lovely to walk down the aisle with. Part of me wishes we'd told people during the speeches. Part of me is glad it was just us that knew.

We were much more open this time around. As a couple, we discussed it together & decided that even if this pregnancy didn't quite go the way we wanted it to, we still wanted people to know.

My Husband & I told both sets of parents pretty much as soon as we found out. Further family was told after we'd had the private scan at 8 weeks.

Looking to the future.

I'm much more chilled second time around. There are even times my Husband & I both forget we're having a second baby. *Sorry second baby*. We quite often get so wrapped up in our days of working & looking after a toddler, that it's only on an evening when we sit down & I can't get back up off the sofa that we look at each other like 'oh yeah, we're pregnant again'.

The main thing I'm worried about with this pregnancy is how well I'll be coping towards the end of it. I do feel like there are days where I struggle now & I'm sure it's only going to get harder. On the hard days I think of that lovely squishy baby we'll have at the end of it all.

My daughter has already been saying 'Mammy's got a big tummy' which is exciting, if a little obvious. She's also adamant that she want's a brother... We'll be finding out in around 10 days time whether she gets her wishes or not.

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Are you pregnant with your second? How have you felt your pregnancies have differed? Please send me words of hope for my second & third trimesters! PLEASE!