What to Expect When You're Expecting, Again

Congratulations! You’re about to become a mom… again! You must be bursting with a range of emotions right now; and let us be the first to tell you that there are so many reasons to celebrate this news, and YOU!: Just because you've been pregnant before does not mean you don't deserve the same kind of attention and excitement as you likely enjoyed as a first-time mom!

At Rumbly, we are here for women throughout their whole journey. We’re here to give you a more elevated, cared-for pregnancy, however your path to get here was. We’re here for all of it, and all of you. For both the woman and mother you are today and both the woman and mother that you’re becoming. 

So let’s jump in and talk about what to expect when you're expecting again.

Get rid of all assumptions

First off, get rid of all assumptions. Yes, this time around, you may think you know what to expect, but either fortunately or unfortunately, there are still plenty of things that will surprise you!

We cannot say this enough: every pregnancy is sooooo unique.

First, let's talk about hormones. You know they will be there, but they may not affect you the same way that they did with your first pregnancy.

This goes for other aspects of your pregnancy too, like food cravings, food aversions, morning sickness, etc. All of this may seem different than it was the last time for you. Don't make assumptions about what your pregnancy “should” be based on your previous one because one thing we can guarantee (and perhaps the only thing we can guarantee) is that this baby will have plans alllll of its own.

For many of us Rumbly moms, the endless hours we spent on Google during our first pregnancy may have trained us to write off anything weird that we were experiencing as a pregnancy “symptom,” and for the most part, you are probably right; however, despite feeling like a pro at this (as you may be feeling like you are right now) it remains ever so important to continue to watch for any signs that may indicate something of a real health concern. Your gut and intuition will always reign over Google. Remember that!!

Your life is different

During your first pregnancy, you could take a Saturday afternoon nap if you felt like it or just Netflix all weekend when you were feeling super sick, achy or just flat-out lazy. But for your second pregnancy, life now is just different. That toddler has you on their schedule, their agenda, and likely busy round the clock. That freedom you once took for granted when pregnant with your first-time baby is no longer showing up for this one. And as hard as some of those days may be, it’s important to still take care of you! Which leads us to our next point...

Check-in with yourself

It's so important to check in with yourself emotionally and mentally throughout your pregnancy.

When you're a busy mom (as we have no doubt you are!), it's easy to get caught up in it all or to judge and compare yourself and feel like you just don't measure up. So how do you avoid this? Take some time each day - even if it's just five minutes - to check in with yourself and to be mindful of how you're feeling.

This is especially true if this pregnancy was a surprise or came a lot sooner than you had planned. You may still be reeling from the shock of being pregnant again—which many women do! So do ensure that you take and make time to pause and process ALL of your emotions.

Including your older children

Your other child or children are about to become the big brother or sister (which can be really exciting!), and you want to help them feel prepared too. Talk to them about what's happening and what they can expect when their new sibling arrives. Let them help you prepare for their new baby sibling by picking out clothes, toys, or other items. 

Or, a tip that some of our Rumbly moms have shared (and which we just love!) is to have your older children pick out a gift for their new baby sibling and present it to them after their arrival. You could then get a small gift to give your older child(ren) and say it’s from their new little sibling. And while they can’t talk yet, they did want to give you something special ☺️.

The important thing is that whatever you decide to do or not do, just make sure your older siblings know that they will still be just as loved and just as important to you, even with a new addition to the family.

Learn from the first time around

After having a baby, we often find ourselves giving advice to our newly pregnant family and friends. How often have you said, "I wish I packed this in my hospital bag..." or "If I could go back, I would have...".

Guess what? Now you will get to go back! Take all those learnings and any of those tips from your previous pregnancy and make it happen for this one! 

In fact, many moms find themselves more confident and better equipped this time around. You probably learned some hard lessons during your first pregnancy - whether it was to ignore all that unsolicited advice or that you cannot control everything. Take advantage of what you have learned to make this pregnancy even better!

Take care of yourself

Now more than before, it is important to prioritize YOU and practice more self-care. Any pregnancy can be physically and emotionally draining, so make sure you're getting enough rest, eating well, and moving your body - daily! Find something that calms your mind each day - whether it's reading a book, listening to music or going for a walk. This can also help you be more present in the moment and reflect on this special time in your life!

And why not show yourself a little extra love during this pregnancy with a subscription to Rumbly. Every delivery from Rumbly leads from a place of immense thoughtfulness, in order to give you more of the pregnancy you deserve. Our goal at Rumbly is to help you celebrate more of the big and great moments in your pregnancy; while supporting you more during those harder ones.

And with all items timed to match exactly where you are in your pregnancy journey, you will have so much fun discovering some new instant favourites that you cannot believe you ever went without - from bump to birth to baby.

Regret nothing. You deserve a Rumbly pregnancy!