Health
Differences between multiple pregnancies?
Bibi92
Hi,
I became a mom 5 months ago and I’m totally crazy about my little boy. But the pregnancy itself was a hell. Now I wanted to hear from the moms with multiple kids how different your pregnancies were. Because we wanted a 2nd child, but now we’re doubting heavily because my pregnancy wasn’t smooth sailing and according to the gynecologist, it’ll probably be like this again with the next one...
My pregnancy:
- The first 3 months I was very nauseous and could barely eat. I actually lost weight during the first 3 months.
- Once that was over, I got pelvic instability and hard contractions starting from month 4. I had to lie completely flat for 2 weeks in month 4 because I had too many hard contractions.
- The 2nd trimester was actually the most pleasant, though I could barely walk and driving started hurting my pelvis. (I’m stuck every day on the Antwerp ring, so that meant constant clutching and braking)
- From the 3rd trimester onwards, I also started retaining a lot of fluid and suddenly gained massive weight, which made my pelvis suffer even more. Because of the excess fluid, I could barely sleep at night because I literally suffocated at night from the pressure on my throat/lungs/etc. In the last 2 weeks before my birth (weeks 34 and 35), I gained 10kg in just 2 weeks purely from fluid!
- For the last 1.5 months, I had to commute to work with a colleague because driving myself was just no longer possible. My pelvis kept locking up, so I couldn’t switch pedals quickly. Very dangerous if you have to brake suddenly but can’t lift your leg!
- Around week 31/32 I also got pre-eclampsia, but that only came to light when I ended up in the ER at week 36 because I felt so bad. On 36+6 I was then induced.
... Now, my birth itself was actually quite smooth. So I have no fear of giving birth at all. I was just happy to be done, I think... Unfortunately, I enjoyed my pregnancy too little. There were some moments (especially in the 2nd trimester) but when I hear other pregnant women, I didn’t have that blissful feeling at all.
According to my gynae, a 2nd pregnancy would definitely be heavier for me because that pelvic instability would likely be present again and would return much faster than last time. Of course, I know better now how to deal with it, and my physio said I could probably counteract it by starting exercises in time to strengthen the muscles around my pelvis.
So that’s why: How were your pregnancies? And are there any women here whose 1st pregnancy was really no fun and the next one went smoothly? Or maybe like my gynae predicts: A bad 1st pregnancy and an even worse 2nd pregnancy?
I’d love to hear your experiences, hoping that my gynae might be wrong after all
I became a mom 5 months ago and I’m totally crazy about my little boy. But the pregnancy itself was a hell. Now I wanted to hear from the moms with multiple kids how different your pregnancies were. Because we wanted a 2nd child, but now we’re doubting heavily because my pregnancy wasn’t smooth sailing and according to the gynecologist, it’ll probably be like this again with the next one...
My pregnancy:
- The first 3 months I was very nauseous and could barely eat. I actually lost weight during the first 3 months.
- Once that was over, I got pelvic instability and hard contractions starting from month 4. I had to lie completely flat for 2 weeks in month 4 because I had too many hard contractions.
- The 2nd trimester was actually the most pleasant, though I could barely walk and driving started hurting my pelvis. (I’m stuck every day on the Antwerp ring, so that meant constant clutching and braking)
- From the 3rd trimester onwards, I also started retaining a lot of fluid and suddenly gained massive weight, which made my pelvis suffer even more. Because of the excess fluid, I could barely sleep at night because I literally suffocated at night from the pressure on my throat/lungs/etc. In the last 2 weeks before my birth (weeks 34 and 35), I gained 10kg in just 2 weeks purely from fluid!
- For the last 1.5 months, I had to commute to work with a colleague because driving myself was just no longer possible. My pelvis kept locking up, so I couldn’t switch pedals quickly. Very dangerous if you have to brake suddenly but can’t lift your leg!
- Around week 31/32 I also got pre-eclampsia, but that only came to light when I ended up in the ER at week 36 because I felt so bad. On 36+6 I was then induced.
... Now, my birth itself was actually quite smooth. So I have no fear of giving birth at all. I was just happy to be done, I think... Unfortunately, I enjoyed my pregnancy too little. There were some moments (especially in the 2nd trimester) but when I hear other pregnant women, I didn’t have that blissful feeling at all.
According to my gynae, a 2nd pregnancy would definitely be heavier for me because that pelvic instability would likely be present again and would return much faster than last time. Of course, I know better now how to deal with it, and my physio said I could probably counteract it by starting exercises in time to strengthen the muscles around my pelvis.
So that’s why: How were your pregnancies? And are there any women here whose 1st pregnancy was really no fun and the next one went smoothly? Or maybe like my gynae predicts: A bad 1st pregnancy and an even worse 2nd pregnancy?
I’d love to hear your experiences, hoping that my gynae might be wrong after all
Replies
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Sjeel #2
Hi bh92,
Congratulations on the birth of your little boy!
Your pregnancy sounds so relatable to me! I was quite sick during my first trimester too, and I also had pelvic instability (I ended up in a wheelchair at 30 weeks because I could do nothing anymore and what terrible pain). It's impressive that you kept working for so long. My daughter was born at 35.6 weeks (spontaneously, probably because my body couldn't handle it anymore). And the fluid buildup is very relatable too. I ended up gaining over 30 kilos despite losing weight in the beginning. Additionally, I have a bleeding disorder where my blood doesn't clot well, so I've spent several times in the hospital with heavy bleeding. That was really tough too.
But now I have a healthy daughter who is almost 3 years old, and the desire for a second child has prevailed. The prediction for me is that this won't go smoothly either. But we'll see. I'm now over 8 weeks pregnant and it's getting better. I was nauseous, but I didn't lose weight. So far, I've been tired (but well, I'm also at home during a renovation and there's a toddler running around), so that's not surprising. I do feel my pelvis when I've done too much, especially after long car rides. So I'm already going to physio, and I have confidence in that.
For now, I'd say enjoy your little boy. And I hope for more good stories here. I'd also like to follow along if you don't mind.
Best wishes, sjeel -
sterre #3
I experienced all 4 differently
The first and fourth were with the least complaints. -
Bibi92 started this #4
Hi Sjeel,
I hope you're looking forward to a better pregnancy! Maybe I should wait until it's just vague memories and I don't know exactly what's in store for me with the second one anymore, haha
Sterre, how were your pregnancies then? And which one was 'the worst'? What symptoms did you have, and how did that differ from the other pregnancies?
I'm really curious. -
Sanne #5
Hi Bibi92, I know that feeling. With my second, it was just a year after the first, so I knew exactly what to expect. The fear that it would be just as tough again actually made it harder. My first was the most physically demanding, but I had more energy for it. The second one went faster, but the exhaustion hit me harder. Every pregnancy really does feel different.
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