You’re pregnant for a second time – ‘Hoorah!’, you think, ‘a chance to reuse my Cuddledry baby apron towel!’ And then your thoughts turn to the pregnancy. You’ve done it once already, you feel like you know what to expect. But does a second pregnancy always follow the same path?

Morning sickness. Pah! What a crock! They should rename it: ‘Begins from the moment you wake up, then steadily increases in stomach-churning intensity over the entire day, until slightly easing off around 9pm (if you’re lucky) sickness’. At least that’s how it was for me when I was pregnant with my daughter Lucia.

Unfortunately, as the past few weeks have revealed, my second pregnancy is following the exact same path. I should be pleased, I suppose, as one theory says the nausea is a sign of a strong pregnancy, but it’s hard to feel relieved when you’re fighting a constant battle to hold on to your stomach contents.

Despite the nausea, fatigue and pounding headaches, I think this time round it’s much easier. I know what’s ahead of me, so it doesn’t feel as surreal or frightening as it did during my first pregnancy. I’m not so panicked about everything I eat, or so worried about the strange aches and twinges I’m feeling as my body adjusts. Sure, it’s difficult some days, with an 18-month old toddler running about, not knowing (or caring) that Mummy desperately needs a nap, or that her head is thumping. But on the flip side, she provides me with a welcome distraction, which stops me dwelling too long on how utterly rotten I feel.

There’s something that feels more ‘real’ about being pregnant for the second time. During my first pregnancy I would try (unsuccessfully) to imagine how it will feel to hold a newborn baby. Now I just need to remember back to how it felt when Lucia was born, and all those exciting emotions and sensations come flooding back. When I start to feel the baby move, I expect that will feel different too – I’ll be better able to comprehend that it’s an actual BABY in there, stomping on my bladder, rather than envisaging some alien creature ready to burst out of my stomach.

Some people think ignorance is bliss, but I like to know what lies ahead. So when it comes time to deliver number two, I know I’ll feel more mentally prepared. My first birthing experience was a horrific event that ended in an emergency c-section, so I also feel reassured that this time round can’t possibly be any worse. Therefore, it will have to be easier, right??? But, by far the best part of being pregnant again, is knowing that in a few short months I’ll have a little brother or sister for Lucia, and another beautiful baby to love.