Motherhood is hard. From the moment I found out about my second pregnancy, life instantly became more challenging.

Second Pregnancy

It’s a battle to survive the first trimester. Mine was filled with nausea, exhaustion, and strange eating habits. I lived off of apple sauce and salad for nearly three months. Coffee made my stomach turn and I couldn’t get enough sleep. CrossFit was so challenging during this period too. Basic things that I used to excel at used all my energy and left me feeling lethargic. This was such a difference from my first pregnancy. That one was effortless. Maybe it’s due to age or maybe it’s just the mystery of pregnancy but this has always been hard work for me.

Thankfully, my energy levels came back in the second trimester. I got back to my old routines and mildly functioned like a normal person. When the third trimester rolled around, all of that went out the window. My stomach started growing exponentially and everything was even more difficult. I felt like a meatball just trying to move around.

At 39 weeks, my son decided to make an early appearance thrusting us right back into early parenthood. Since then, it’s been a whirlwind. Time really had flown for me. This fourth trimester was just as exhausting the second time around but I learned a few things to pass along.

Four Things I Learned in My Second Pregnancy

1. Breastfeeding Gets Easier

I chose to breastfeed this second time around and thank the Lord it was easier. It felt like my body knew exactly what to do. I also felt smarter too. With my first son, everything was a huge learning curve. And then he developed acid reflux so he basically spit everything up.

Thankfully, this time around my youngest son doesn’t have those same issues and I’m not as crazy about using formula when I need it.

2. Your Body Needs Lots of Healing

During my second pregnancy, I was active in CrossFit all the way until two days before delivery. Although this consistent exercise was challenging, it made labor so much easier. I managed to labor at home and deliver without any medications or interventions. I learned to breathe through the pain and contractions just like I would any terrible workout and was able to listen to my body much better this time. Recovery felt a bit better within the first two weeks of postpartum but I still have the same amount of baby weight to shed as I did with my first pregnancy.

At nearly four months of motherhood, I’m just now feeling like I can get back to a version of a CrossFit workout. Despite my pregnancy fitness going well, my body still needed a ton of time to recover. I stuck with walks and yoga for quite a while and even started pelvic floor physical therapy to help out. Forcing myself to slow down has been difficult but it’s exactly what I needed.

3. Juggling Multiple Kids Is Hard

My sons are five years apart on purpose. I wanted my oldest to be in kindergarten and mostly independent by the time another person showed up. Although having my oldest at school all day does help a lot with bonding with my baby and overall recovery, multiple kids are still super hard right now. They both have two completely different needs. Little boys also apparently have enormous feelings about everything. Add homework and weekly activities and my brain is spinning. Thankfully my husband is here to help a lot. I honestly don’t know how I’d do this without him. Shout out to the husband of the year.

As the baby gets bigger, things do get easier. The boys can entertain each other and maybe, just maybe, I’ll get more than 15 minutes to myself.

4. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help

As I mentioned, it was a huge learning curve with my first son. I was trying to be a super mom and not ask for help. This was a terrible idea. I ended up being overwhelmed and mad at everyone. This time I did not make the same mistake. I constantly asked for help. From babysitting to big kid activities and even diaper changes in the middle of the night, I lean on someone close when I’m feeling overwhelmed. Babies are adorable but the first six months can be brutal. These first three you’re literally just surviving.