Having your first child may have been easy, but having a baby no. 2 can sometimes get out of hand. There are several things to consider when one is planning for a second child. It is important to prepare not just the physical and financial aspects, but the emotional as well.
Edward Christophersen, PhD, a psychologist at Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, stated that having a second child requires more commitment when it comes to parenting. Having a second child can possibly have a huge impact when it comes to the emotional and social aspect of the mother as mentioned in Parents.
Having just one child can still give the mother freedom to spend time with herself and can still maintain the lifestyle she has before having a baby. As for having two children, however, she might need to cut down her pre-baby lifestyle, or at least have it minimized.
Aside from the social and emotional part in welcoming the second child, physical changes should be considered too. Though some may think that the second pregnancy will be easier, it is not applicable to most women. Every pregnancy is different and physical challenges can escalate from bad to worse for some mothers.
According to James Grifo, M.D., Ph.D., professor of obstetrics and gynecology at New York University School of Medicine one of the things that do not necessarily change when it comes to pregnancy is morning sickness. Grifo said, "If you're one of the roughly 70 percent of women who had morning sickness the first time, you'll probably have it again."
Establishing relationship between the upcoming baby and the first child is one of the most important things to consider, especially if you're dealing with a toddler. According to The Bump, involving the first child all throughout the second pregnancy can go a long way in establishing a positive, love-filled relationship between the siblings.
