Preparing for Second Baby
Preparing for the second baby has looked a lot different. Although I wasn’t aware of it at the time, I had all the time in the world to prepare physically, mentally, and emotionally for Ezekiel’s birth. This time around, I am having to be much more intentional about setting aside time for these things.
One of the few “bump” pictures I’ve taken this pregnancy, around 36 weeks
Fortunately, collecting physical baby items is not as copious for the second baby. We have most of the necessities already, so it has been restocking the postpartum supply and buying double of some things that we will need (car seats for example). The other big task has been collecting all the home birth supplies again. This is usually filled with excitement and anticipation for what is to come. I actually love organizing all these supplies.
At 37 weeks, I am feeling as prepared as I can with the physical items. The hardest part has been preparing mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Birth is so much more than just a physical event. Although my workout routine looks different because I am pregnant and because I am busy chasing Ezekiel around, I am confident the movement and care I have given my body will benefit me in birth. The biggest challenge for me is to get quiet time to journal, pray, and fill myself up with positive affirmations before going into the birth space. Journaling has been a great way for me to get my thoughts out on paper and pray through them.
I’m new in this motherhood journey, but I am realizing how selfless I really need to be. This doesn’t mean I neglect caring for myself and my needs, because this would not help me be a better mama. It does mean that at times, I have to set aside my desires for a quiet journaling time to go to the park with Ezekiel. It means that he takes priority, and it may take more planning and scheduling to block out time for myself.
Other preparation for the second baby has included asking for help postpartum with Ezekiel, while I am unable to care for him around the clock. From experience and as a doula, preparation for the fourth trimester is just as important as preparing for the actual birth. The time you give yourself to heal will pay off in the long run. This kind of preparation helps to ease my concern for Ezekiel and allows myself to bond and get to know this next baby while I rest. With more responsibilities, this gets harder to do, that’s why it is so important to lean on family and community around you to help you through this time. This topic deserves its own blog post, so I will address the postpartum time in another write-up (and report back with how this postpartum compares to my first).
As you may be able to tell, I am a big planner. I think there’s a piece of this that comes out in any mama preparing to bring her baby into the world. It is something that I truly enjoy, but has just proven to be more complicated than the first time around. After all is said and done, I choose to trust that God has His hand on me and this baby and will carry us through this birth. That is my biggest need and prayer, to fully trust God and surrender to His plan and His design for birth. He has blessed us with this baby and He will walk with us through all the ups and downs of this season.
