Everything you need to know about your second pregnancy

So, you're pregnant with your second child? Congratulations! Now that you've already been through pregnancy, you probably have some idea of what to expect. But you're probably also wondering what might be different this time around.

You might have heard that your baby bump will pop earlier, you’ll feel kicks sooner, and your labor will go much faster during your second pregnancy – and there's actually some evidence suggesting all of these things may be true. As you may also assume, there are also a number of emotional differences you can anticipate when you bring home your new baby to meet their big sibling.

From second pregnancy symptoms to postpartum recovery and your mindset before and after birth, here’s what you may experience with your second pregnancy.

When do you start showing with your second pregnancy?

Be prepared to bust out your maternity clothes earlier: While your baby isn't growing any faster, you may very well find that your pregnant belly pops sooner than it did the first time. Most women don’t start showing until the second trimester during their first pregnancies, but their baby bumps will likely show in the first trimester for every subsequent pregnancy.

Why? Many women start showing earlier in a second pregnancy because the first go-round loosened the abdominal muscles, so they don't hold the pregnancy in quite as efficiently during second and future pregnancies. (For the same reason, you may also carry your baby a little lower this time.)

Common second pregnancy symptoms

Every pregnancy is unique, so it's difficult to predict what your exact experience will be like. But here are a few common ways your second (or third or fourth) pregnancy might be different from your first.

You might experience more pregnancy fatigue

Many women say they feel more fatigued in subsequent pregnancies than during their first. The little research that’s been done on the topic is inconsistent: Some studies suggest that women are significantly more tired the second time around, while others don’t.

If you're feeling flat-out exhausted, it's no surprise: With a child (or multiple kids) in the house, you have even less time to nap or just plain rest than you did the first time around. And you may be getting less pampering from your partner or family (who might be thinking pregnancy is old hat for you by now).

Try these tips to battle pregnancy fatigue:

• Rest. Think about what you can do to cut back on unnecessary activities and carve out some well-deserved time to kick up your (swollen) feet.
• Keep your partner involved. Remind them that you may need some extra help.
• Ask for additional support. Don't hesitate to call on other family members and friends.
• Eat well. Make sure you're getting all the nutrients you need, and stock up on energy-boosting and other great pregnancy foods for meals and snacks.

Pregnancy back pain is more common

Back pain tends to be more common with each subsequent pregnancy, particularly if you experienced back pain with your first (or previous) pregnancy.

Your abs may be to blame, since they support your core and back. During pregnancy, your expanding uterus weakens these muscles and moves your center of gravity forward, changing your posture and increasing the risk of back pain. If you weren’t able to re-strengthen your abdominal muscles after your last delivery, you’re especially at risk of back pain now. You’re also doing more running around, lifting, and bending with your older child, which can put additional stress on your back.

Strengthening your abs beginning now may prevent or lessen lower back pain as your pregnancy progresses. Find time to exercise your core whenever you can, and strengthen your back and hips, all of which may hopefully help ease your back pain. Always bend your knees and lift from a crouching position to minimize stress on your back. Don't lift anything heavier than 20 pounds. And consider a pregnancy belly band to provide comfort and compression to your abdominal muscles.

Breast changes may differ

Here’s some good news if your breasts were especially sensitive and sore during your first pregnancy: They may not grow as large or feel as uncomfortable this time around. And if you’re still breastfeeding your firstborn child, you can continue to do so now that you’re pregnant again. Studies suggest that breastfeeding while pregnant is safe for most women and won’t increase the risk of miscarriage or preterm birth.

You might feel kicks and Braxton Hicks contractions sooner

It's common for veteran moms to feel kicks a few weeks earlier than they did during their first pregnancy, possibly because they're familiar with the sensation. In fact, you may feel those first flutters at around 16 weeks of pregnancy, instead of closer to the 20 weeks (or more) that’s common with first pregnancies. You may also notice Braxton Hicks contractions earlier now too, for the same reason.

It won't be any easier to predict when you'll go into labor

Experts still don't fully understand what triggers the onset of labor. And just like with your last pregnancy, there's no way to predict exactly when it will start. But research shows that a surge of hormones from the baby signals to the mother that they’re ready to be born, and the mom's body responds by preparing for labor. Because you've done this before, you may be more attuned to the signs and signals that labor will happen soon.

It's still not a sure thing, but once you have some "bloody show," labor may be imminent. Likewise, if your water breaks before the onset of regular contractions, chances are that you'll soon experience regular and more intense contractions – but even if you don’t, it's best to call your healthcare provider or head to the hospital right away.

If your first labor was fast, your second one might be even faster!

It's not a sure thing, but every stage of labor is likely to be shorter this time around. First-time moms can spend up to 20 hours in the early stage of labor – when the cervix dilates to 6 centimeters – compared to 14 hours in women who have had a baby before. The active phase of labor, when the cervix dilates from 6 to 10 centimeters, also tends to be quicker in second-time moms.

The transitional and pushing stages of labor (which occur from the time when the cervix is fully dilated to when your baby is delivered) also typically progress much more quickly for women who've been through it before, lasting 3 to 4 hours in first-time moms compared to 2 to 3 hours in second-time moms. First-timers laboring without an epidural tend to have on average 17 pushing contractions, compared to about 5 pushing contractions for those who’ve had a previous vaginal delivery. You're also less likely to end up with perineal tearing or an episiotomy than a first-time mom – and less likely to require a c-section or a forceps or vacuum delivery.

You might also go into labor slightly sooner than the first time. Research suggests pregnancies last on average two days less in women who've had a baby before versus those who’ve never given birth.

You may experience worse cramps after birth

Postpartum cramping is caused by contractions of your uterus as it shrinks back to its pre-pregnancy size and location after you have your baby. To deal with postpartum cramping, keep your bladder empty, take ibuprofen, and try gently massaging your lower belly. Some moms find a heating pad helpful. And let your healthcare provider know if you experience strong and severe pain that doesn’t go away; it could be a sign of a more serious problem.

Postpartum recovery may take longer

It may take longer to lose the pregnancy weight this time. Most women start their second pregnancy at a higher weight than their first, plus your abdominal muscles may be weaker. You’ll also have two kids to watch after now, which makes it a lot trickier to find the time to work out.

As with your first pregnancy, postpartum exercise is important to help you regain muscle tone and help your mental health – and even just a few minutes can make a difference. Try to squeeze in walks with your baby whenever possible, paired with at-home strengthening exercises for even five or 10 minutes when your little one is napping.

Emotional changes during your second pregnancy

Just as you’ll probably experience physical differences between pregnancies, you’ll likely feel emotionally different this time around. After all, you know first-hand how thrilling – and challenging – the first couple years of a child’s life can be. As your family grows from three to four (or more), you may worry about how your firstborn will handle the transition. You may even feel guilty that you’ll have less one-on-one time to spend together.

Here are a few emotional changes you may expect to experience during your second pregnancy:

Your mindset may have completely changed

While you may have just as many ups and downs as you had before, the things that excite and worry you are likely to change somewhat.

At times, you may be overjoyed at the thought of having another baby. Other times, you may wonder what you've gotten yourself into. Along with the possible worry that your new baby will be healthy, you may be wondering about how to handle the demands of having two kids and how the cost of adding another child to your household will affect your family's finances.

It's also common to have concerns about how your relationship with your partner and your other children will be affected, such as whether you'll still be able to give them the attention they need.

You may find it helps to talk with moms who have more than one child. Chances are good they had some of the same feelings, and their perspectives (now that they're on the other side) might be very helpful. Consider joining a local mothers' group for support or an online community of moms where you can ask for opinions, reassurance, and suggestions.

When to tell your child you're pregnant

How you prepare your child for the birth of a sibling is a personal decision, of course. When you tell depends partly on how old your child is and how you think they'll handle the news. However, you may want to wait until after your first trimester, when the risk of miscarriage declines significantly.

How to rebound from a difficult birth experience with your first pregnancy

If you had a difficult or even traumatic birth experience last time, here are some ideas to think about:

• Switch from an OB to a midwife, or vice versa. (If you switch practitioners, make sure your new one gets a copy of your records and knows your history.)
• Consider having a birth doula. Research suggests that women who work with doulas are more likely to have better health outcomes, lower healthcare costs, reduced rates of anxiety and depression, and lower c-section rates than those who don’t – especially those who live in under-resourced communities.
• Consider whether you'd prefer delivering in a birth center instead of a hospital, or vice versa.
• If you had a c-section before, and you're interested in considering a trial of labor for a vaginal delivery, you'll need to find a provider who's willing and has privileges in a hospital that allows the option of a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC).
• Develop a detailed birth plan to share with your healthcare providers.

How to anticipate – and help prevent – some second pregnancy symptoms

Every pregnancy is different, but you'll likely have at least some of the discomforts you had in your prior pregnancy. You can use this knowledge to try to lessen and possibly prevent some of these uncomfortable symptoms.

• If you suffered from pregnancy constipation or hemorrhoids last time, try preventive measures early on, such as eating plenty of fiber or taking a fiber supplement, drinking plenty of water, and exercising regularly. An osmotic laxative may also be helpful.
• To help prevent urinary incontinence, do daily Kegel exercises.
• If you got stretch marks the last time you were pregnant, you'll probably get some new ones with this pregnancy. Although there isn't much you can do to avoid them, being careful not to gain an excessive amount of weight may help. Use this pregnancy weight gain tracker to find your target weight range.
• If you suffered from varicose veins during your last pregnancy, consider wearing compression socks or tights starting early on this time around, and elevate your feet and legs whenever possible. Daily exercise, such as a brisk walk, is also helpful with improving your circulation.
• If you had morning sickness during your last pregnancy, stock up on healthy snacks so you can eat when you wake up (even better, while you're still in bed) and often throughout the day.

Are there any potential second pregnancy complications?

If you're healthy and had no problems in your previous pregnancy, your risk for complications now is low. If you've previously had a pregnancy complication – such as preterm labor, preeclampsia, or placental abruption – you do have a higher risk of having that complication with your second pregnancy. You're also at higher risk of certain complications this time around if you've developed a chronic medical condition such as high blood pressure, obesity, or diabetes since your last pregnancy.

On the other hand, if you haven't had preeclampsia before (and haven't developed hypertension since your last pregnancy), your chances of developing it during this pregnancy are actually lower than the first time around.

Make sure your practitioner is aware of any pregnancy or postpartum complications you've had, any health problems your babies have had, or any medical problems you've developed. That way they can determine the best way to manage your pregnancy.

Are second pregnancy prenatal visits and tests the same?

If you had no complications during your last pregnancy and haven't developed any medical conditions in the meantime, you can expect pretty much the same routine in terms of prenatal visits and tests. (If you've had problems in a previous pregnancy, you may need more of both.)

Your provider may recommend different screening options for genetic disorders such as Down syndrome, since the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) for all pregnant women. This screening involves testing your blood for fragments of placental DNA, which match your baby’s DNA, to assess your risk for several chromosomal disorders. (Keep in mind that only CVS and amniocentesis can be used to make a definitive diagnosis.)

Many of the blood tests you may have had during your first pregnancy will need to be repeated, but not all of them. For example, if you or your baby's father were previously screened for genetic disorders (such as sickle cell trait, cystic fibrosis, or Tay-Sachs), those tests will not need to be repeated because the results would be the same.

Should I take childbirth classes again with my second pregnancy?

It's really up to you. If you gave birth relatively recently and nothing is substantially different this time around, you may choose to forgo classes. On the other hand, if your last birth was a long time ago, you may want a refresher. Or, depending on how you felt about your first labor, you may want to try a different birthing method. Taking childbirth classes will also introduce you to other expectant parents.

Here are some other options you might find helpful:

• Review classes. While getting back to basics is often helpful, some instructors offer shorter "refresher" classes for those who don't want to sit through an entire course again.
• At-home courses. You could buy or stream a childbirth education class that you can view from your couch. Check out BabyCenter's online childbirth class videos.
• Sibling classes. Later in pregnancy, you might want to sign up your older child for a "sibling class." Many hospitals now offer introductory programs designed for new sisters- and brothers-to-be. They'll show your child a room like the one you'll be staying in; discuss any ideas, questions, and concerns about the new arrival; and visit the nursery (if your hospital has one) so everyone can see what a newborn looks like. Most programs last about an hour.

How do I make sure my other children are taken care of when I go into labor?

The waiting game of early labor can be quite stressful when you have other children to care for, particularly if you have to wait for a sitter to arrive before you can head to the hospital. And labor tends to go more quickly (sometimes a lot more quickly) than in a first pregnancy. That’s why it’s a good idea to plan ahead and make sure someone is available to take care of your child when you go into labor. That person may be a friend, trusted sitter, or nearby relative – or even out-of-town family who can fly into town to be there on standby.

You’ll also want to make a contingency plan if, for example, your partner isn’t reachable or you go into labor before out-of-town family arrives. If all else fails and your labor appears to be progressing rapidly, head to the hospital with your child and have your designated caretaker meet you there.

One last option: having your other child at the birth. Interested? Find out ahead of time if your practitioner supports this and whether the hospital will allow it, if that's where you're planning to deliver. Lastly, be sure to prepare your child for the fact that you’ll be away at the hospital for a couple of days and check they have the support they need during this time. Discuss what's going to happen and who will be with them, and acknowledge any fears they have about being separated from you.