My infinite wisdom

I have come to realize that something about being pregnant before has made me a little cocky about a second pregnancy. As I skim back through my old pregnancy books, I find myself making little mental notes: "I don't have to worry about that," "that won't happen to me." Not exactly scientific observations, given the sample size of 1.

Want some specifics?

• Implantation bleeding. "I never have that." Never's a bit of a sweeping statement. If I head into this pregnancy without implantation bleeding, then I'll be in a better position to say never (since we only plan on having the two kids).
• Spotting in general. "No worries." Slightly better authority here since that applies to the entire 9 months of my first pregnancy, but still no guarantee for this go around.
• Morning sickness. "I've read that it affects young women, first pregnancies, and mothers carrying multiples most often; therefore, I won't even think about it." Yes, I'm one of those few women who did not suffer from morning sickness. In my first pregnancy, at the youngest I was ever going to be. Now, I also had HCG levels that did rise as quickly as desired and there seems to be a correlation between the increasing hormone and nausea. So actually, I might manage to avoid the anxiety I had early in the last pregnancy if I find myself puking.

Of course, there are also the things that I imagine will be just as bad as last time. Exhaustion--I was lucky enough to still be on summer break for my first 8 weeks; Trillian came home to me napping almost every afternoon. Weight gain--50 pounds last time. Heartburn--Tums were my friend.

I am also beginning to realize that my general experience of this pregnancy will be very different from my first one. I was very aware during my first pregnancy of every step and spent a lot of time revelling in it. But I just don't have the time now. With an almost-4-year-old and a demanding course and teaching load, there is not as much time to sit and enjoy. Or even just sit.

Speaking of which, off to some primary source reading...