Run it back - The Dudela Family is Growing

Baby #2 Is Coming: What I'm Doing Differently This Pregnancy   The Dudela family is growing. Michael and Abigail are expecting baby girl number two, due on Christmas Day. And pregnancy feels a little different the second time around. In this episode of The Dudela Podcast, John sits down with Michael to talk about what pregnancy number two has actually been like, what he learned the first time, and what he is intentionally doing differently as a husband and dad this time around. Because during your first pregnancy, everything is new. You are tracking the baby's size every week. You are Googling symptoms. You are trying to figure out which appointments matter. You are buying baby gear you have never heard of. You are wondering how much everything is going to cost. And somewhere in the middle of all of that, you are trying to figure out what your pregnant wife actually needs from you. The second time, you know a little more about what is coming. Michael shares what has been different during Abigail's second pregnancy, including more nausea, earlier body changes, food aversions, cravings, preparing their toddler Riley to become a big sister, moving into a bigger home, and realizing just how quickly the second pregnancy seems to move. We also talk about why the halfway point of pregnancy can be such an important moment for dads. Around 20 weeks, the pregnancy can suddenly start feeling very real. There is a growing belly. You may be feeling the baby move. The anatomy scan gives you an incredible look at your child. And the countdown toward labor, delivery, and newborn life starts getting a whole lot shorter. That is when preparation matters. Michael shares why dads should prioritize important ultrasound appointments, how to support your wife when her body starts changing quickly, why you need to become a better listener instead of trying to solve everything, and how taking things off your wife's mental load can make a huge difference. We also get into the reality of preparing financially for another baby, planning a babymoon, getting ready for sleepless nights again, deciding which baby products are actually worth keeping, and figuring out how to give your first child the attention they need when a newborn enters the family. And if you are nervous about becoming a dad? That is okay too. You do not need to have fatherhood figured out before your baby arrives. You just need to start becoming the kind of dad who wants to figure it out. In This Episode Michael and Abigail are expecting baby girl number two Why pregnancy number two feels completely different Their Christmas Day due date What has surprised Michael during the second pregnancy Pregnancy nausea, cravings, food aversions, and exhaustion Why the baby bump can show earlier during a second pregnancy What pregnancy feels like when you already have a toddler Preparing your first child to become a big sister or brother What dads should know around 20 weeks pregnant Why dads should attend important ultrasound appointments What to expect from the anatomy scan When pregnancy starts feeling real for dads How to support your pregnant wife without trying to fix everything Becoming a better listener during pregnancy Taking things off your wife's mental load without waiting to be asked Why pregnancy requires dads to become more selfless Preparing financially for hospital bills, diapers, formula, and newborn life What Michael learned financially from baby number one Preparing for sleepless nights when you already have a toddler How to make sure your first child still feels seen after baby arrives Why a babymoon is worth considering The best time during pregnancy to get away together Baby products Michael will use again Baby products they probably will not buy again Why bottle feeding flexibility can help dads become more involved How fatherhood changes what you consider important Why it is normal for expecting dads to feel nervous Becoming the dad you want to be before baby arrives If You've Ever Searched pregnancy advice for dads first time dad advice expecting dad advice how to prepare for a baby how to prepare for fatherhood what should dads do during pregnancy how to support my pregnant wife how to be a good husband during pregnancy 20 weeks pregnant dad what dads should know at 20 weeks pregnant anatomy scan for dads second pregnancy second baby advice preparing for baby number two second pregnancy differences pregnancy with a toddler preparing toddler for new baby how to prepare for a second child pregnancy tips for husbands pregnancy timeline for dads what appointments should dads attend during pregnancy babymoon ideas when to take a babymoon baby budget financially preparing for a baby newborn essentials baby gear for second baby new dad anxiety nervous about becoming a dad pregnancy podcast for dads dad to be podcast fatherhood podcast This episode is for you. Follow Michael's Pregnancy in Real Time With The Womb Watch Michael is not just talking about this pregnancy after the fact. We are documenting it as it happens. The Womb Watch follows Michael and Abigail through pregnancy number two in real time. Every few weeks, John and Michael sit down for shorter conversations about what is happening right now, including appointments, ultrasounds, milestones, what Abigail is experiencing, what Michael is learning, and what dads coming behind him should know. If your wife recently got pregnant, you can essentially follow along with another dad who is just a little farther down the road. The Womb Watch is exclusively available inside the Spit Up Society. Join the Spit Up Society You do not have to figure out fatherhood alone. For $5 per month, the Spit Up Society gives you access to The Womb Watch, exclusive Dudela content, and two live calls with us every month where you can bring whatever questions you are dealing with right now. Pregnancy. Birth. Postpartum. Marriage. Money. Newborn life. Fatherhood. Bring it. Join the Spit Up Society here: https://thedudelaco.com/join/spit-up-society/ Find Resources for Your Exact Stage of Pregnancy Not sure what you should actually be doing right now? Head to Dudela and choose where you are in the pregnancy journey. We have resources designed to help dads understand what matters at different stages so you can spend less time Googling and more time actually preparing. https://thedudelaco.com/ Free Dad Prep Guide If you just found out you are going to be a dad, start here. https://www.thedudelaco.com/guide Our free Dad Prep Guide covers the things we wish someone had told us before becoming dads and gives you practical ways to start preparing for pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and newborn life. Dudela Prep Kit Want to take preparation seriously? https://dudelaco.gumroad.com/l/dudela-prep-kit The Dudela Prep Kit gives first time dads a practical framework for preparing for fatherhood, including your relationship, emotions, finances, labor and delivery, postpartum, family identity, and life after your baby arrives. Because knowing more is helpful. Doing something with what you know is what actually prepares you. Ask Dudela Are you somewhere in pregnancy right now and have a question? Maybe you just saw the positive pregnancy test and have no idea what happens next. Maybe you are heading into the anatomy scan. Maybe your wife is miserable and you do not know how to help. Maybe you are excited about becoming a dad but also quietly terrified. Send it to us. Leave John and Michael a voicemail through the Dudela website. We listen to every message, and your question may become part of a future podcast or live conversation. https://thedudelaco.com/ Follow Dudela Instagram https://www.instagram.com/the_dudela_official/ TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@the_dudela_official YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@TheDudela-Official Facebook https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Dudela-61566037880710/ Your Challenge This Week If your wife is pregnant, ask yourself one question: What is something she is carrying right now that I can carry for her? Do not ask her to create a list for you. Look around. Maybe it is dinner. Maybe it is laundry. Maybe it is getting up with your toddler on Saturday morning so she can sleep. Maybe it is researching the car seat. Maybe it is making the appointment. Maybe she just needs you to listen without trying to solve anything. Find one thing. Own it. Because preparing for fatherhood is not just about knowing what happens next. It is about becoming the kind of man your family can count on when it does.