My Second Pregnancy: The Different, the Bad, and the Just Plain Ugly

Pregnancy is often romanticized—the glowing skin, the fluttery kicks, the nesting bliss. But for me, this second pregnancy has been anything but dreamy. If I’m being honest, it’s been one of the most emotionally and physically challenging seasons I’ve walked through. I love the life growing inside me, but that doesn’t mean the journey has been smooth or beautiful. So here it is—my unfiltered experience: the different, the bad, and the ugly.

The Never-Ending Nausea

The first half of this pregnancy was pure survival. I battled relentless morning sickness for 20 weeks straight—and not the “queasy for an hour” kind. I’m talking full-blown, all-day nausea that left me drained, weak, and barely functioning. I lost 12 pounds in that time—not because I wanted to, but because literally nothing sounded good to eat. There were no cravings, just intense food aversions.

Cooked foods? Absolutely not. If it came out of a pot or pan, forget it. The smell alone would send me running. The only things that brought some relief were some fresh fruits and vegetables, and even then, I had to be cautious. Eating became a terrible chore, something I dreaded rather than enjoyed.

The Hydration Struggle

Water, my old reliable and refreshing friend, became unbearable. I couldn’t tolerate it cold or room temperature. The only way I could stay even mildly hydrated was with warm or hot tea. Out of desperation, I turned to lemon-lime Liquid IV —my go-to drink for electrolytes, though I didn’t even like the taste much during this stage. It was more about function than pleasure.

Juices felt like a lifeline. They were more palatable and easier to drink, but still didn’t make up for how dehydrated I often felt. Plus those juices had simply too much sugar to my liking, so I would try to dilute them with some water, which help but I didn't drink them much as they weren't really hydrating options in my opinion.

Turning a Corner at 21 Weeks… Sort Of

Around 21 weeks, the fog finally started to lift. I woke up one morning and realized I wasn’t nauseous anymore. I had energy again—real energy! I could go for walks, run errands, and feel like myself for the first time in months!

But just as that door opened, another one slammed shut: pelvic girdle pain made its grand entrance.

It hit hard and fast. It slowed me down drastically, made everyday tasks feel impossible, and lifting anything heavy became out of the question. It was like trading one discomfort for another. It slowed me down—mentally and physically. I had to accept that I couldn’t move through the world the same way anymore.

A Storm of Emotions

The physical challenges were just one part of it. Emotionally, this pregnancy has felt like a roller coaster with no seatbelt. I’ve dealt with intense anger, sometimes over absolutely nothing. My patience has been nonexistent, and I find myself crying at the drop of a hat. I’m short-tempered, irritable, and so often feel like I need to be alone—not because I don’t love the people around me, but because I know this version of me isn’t who I really am and I don't want to hurt those around me.

I’ve pulled back from some social situations, not out of resentment or sadness, but self-awareness. I know I’m going through a phase where I feel more fragile, more reactive, and more likely to snap and I feel like not one person around me really understood what I was feeling/going through. Lonely phase for sure.

The Weird (and Honestly Gross) Stuff

Here’s one I didn’t see coming: even though I love dogs so much, the idea of touching animals has made my skin crawl. I don’t know if it’s the smells, the textures, or just a hormonal thing, but after any interaction, I feel this compulsive need to wash my hands thoroughly. It’s like I can’t get the germs off fast enough. And it’s not just animals—this pregnancy has made me feel like a delicate flower about to break in the slightest wind. Sensitive, overwhelmed, and constantly on the verge of wilting!

Still Grateful, Just Honest

I know all of this sounds heavy—and it is. But that doesn’t mean I’m not grateful for this baby or the chance to bring her into the world. I am. Deeply. But I also believe it’s okay to say: this has been hard! It’s been messy and extremely lonely and uncomfortable in ways I didn’t expect.

Pregnancy doesn’t look or feel the same for everyone. This time around, it’s been full of sharp edges and soft tears. But I know this is just a chapter, and every hard moment is bringing me closer to holding my baby girl.

If you’re reading this and can relate, and feel this way—even a little—please know you’re not alone! It’s okay to feel like a mess and still be a great mom. It’s okay to struggle and still love your baby with everything you’ve got.

We are all doing the best we can—and sometimes, that means surviving one uncomfortable day at a time.