How is being pregnant with a toddler different, than being pregnant the first time?
This question seemed more complicated at first, than it really is. The difference is simple actually: you have two kids now. One in your arm, and one in your belly. That also means that the attention is divided. That's where my partner plays a big role, by letting me take time to point my focus also to the the new coming baby, while he's out doing fun things with the older one.
I was once told, that making a drivers license or any kind of exams, while pregnant, is impossible, because the brain just doesn't want to focus on "unnecessary" tasks and thoughts. It instinctively wants to prepare for the upcoming birth and motherhood tasks. While i thought that my memory during my first pregnancy was terrible, then now i could say, that the disc is simply full. I have forgotten to answer emails, texts, even to call back the next minute. No to mention one of my friends job, that she described just a week before. Then again i have no trouble of remembering what we need from the grocery-store, or what to pack, when going on a trip. When it's family-oriented, i still keep it together. But it also makes me more tired, than i expected. On our latest trip to the national park i didn't take our camera with us, because i felt that my brain couldn't handle one more item to look after, while we hike around. And i was right: the pocket-camera we took, we also forgot there at some point.
The second main difference is that, when before my partner could take care of me solely, now we have already a family to take care of. That's maybe the main reason why the second pregnancy feels more exhausting: i still have to do the things i have to do. Maybe feeling a bit more lonesome is something that is connected to it. While waiting for Juss, i did prenatal joga, went to a water-gymnastics class and met up with many other pregnant women. Now i use the time, when Martin is out with Juss, for sleeping, cooking, cleaning, .. and thinking about all the other things i need to do :)) and often end up waisting time on the net... sadly-sadly.
What will be helpful? I realized recently, that maybe it would be a good idea to make a plan, like for the whole week. So that time would be organized better and i could take time and invest it in something meaningful. Taking time for doing the dishes is okay too, but it can lead to somewhat frustration as well ;)
We still haven't tried it out, but i hope we get there. It would mean, that i have something to look forward to and would feel fulfilled and accomplished later.
This time around i also feel that we are both a bit pregnant. We already share the weight of responsibilities and tasks, we've been without any good sleep (like 10 hours straight) for over a year now, we both have backaches and get easily irritated when tired. So no princess treatment is possible, from any side. There is just no energy for that. This one is, egoisticly, the hardest one to accept.
As my midwife said, this is the second pregnancy and it just is that way.
But i hope i could give an answer, that said more than "it's hard" or "difficult" or "complicated".
This time around i also feel that we are both a bit pregnant. We already share the weight of responsibilities and tasks, we've been without any good sleep (like 10 hours straight) for over a year now, we both have backaches and get easily irritated when tired. So no princess treatment is possible, from any side. There is just no energy for that. This one is, egoisticly, the hardest one to accept.
As my midwife said, this is the second pregnancy and it just is that way.
But i hope i could give an answer, that said more than "it's hard" or "difficult" or "complicated".
Ps. Thanks M for a wonderful lunch! It made my day :*
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