You’ve peed on the stick, the timer is counting down, and those familiar lines start to appear. It’s positive. You’re expecting your second child. In an instant, a rush of emotions hits you all at once.

From excitement to panic to quiet reflection, finding out you’re pregnant again brings a unique mix of thoughts. Here are 10 thoughts every mother has when expecting her second child, and hopefully, a reminder that you are not alone on this journey.

10 Thoughts Moms Have When Expecting a Second Child

Pregnancy the second time around often brings a completely different set of emotions than the first. These thoughts are common, honest, and deeply human.

1. There’s no way I can love anyone as much as I love my first baby.

This was the most common thought that occurred to me when I conducted an unofficial poll on this question among my family and friends. And I get it! Your first baby changes your life in a way you can’t even comprehend until it hits you in the face. (At 3 a.m., pacing the floor, begging your little angel to please sleep.)

The excitement and love you have for your baby are unmatched by anything else in the world. How could another human compare? Is it possible to feel the same unimaginable love for another baby? I am happy to confirm that it is possible and that when expecting your second child, your heart multiplies, not divides.

Related: Second Baby Guilt: How I Am Working Through It

2. How will this affect my relationship?

This is such a valid thought and one that is inevitable. Yes, your relationship will change, like it undoubtedly did with your first baby. Now, expecting a second child means double the coordinating, double the dinners, and maybe double the diapers. As you and your partner settle into your new routine as parents of two, your relationship will also change.

While it may be easier said than done, prioritize your relationship just as much as you prioritize attention to your little ones. Schedule a trusted adult to spend an hour or two with your children so you can sneak away for a quick adults-only date.

Recharging your relationship battery will allow you to feel rejuvenated and ready to return to the kids, feeling refreshed (relatively speaking) and prepared to take on the next challenge. Start this routine during pregnancy so that when the new baby comes along, you will already be in the groove.

3. How can I ever divide my time with two kids?

With one baby, your time and attention are entirely undivided. You have a sole focus: to cater to your child’s every want and need. With another baby in the mix, that time needs to be split in two, and it can bring both logistical and emotional challenges as you figure out how to accomplish this difficult feat best.

When I found out I was pregnant with my second child, I remember having panic-stricken thoughts where I knew it would just be a cacophony of cries while I tried my best to tend to everyone.

As difficult as it can be, it’s okay if one of your children cries for a few minutes while you tend to the other. You are only one person, and while moms are multitasking masters, sometimes some things must wait.

Related: How to Adjust from One to Two Kids

4. I wonder how my first child will be with the new baby?

This all-too-common thought can be an emotional one. I was excited to think about how my older son would handle the arrival of a new baby. However, I was also curious and a bit nervous. Would he be rough with the baby? Would he regress and revert to bad habits to seek my attention?

While this certainly can depend on the age gap between your first and second child, you can bank on the likelihood that you will see the full spectrum of interactions between your children. Buckle up and enjoy the ride!

5. What am I going to do differently with baby number 2?

This thought played on a loop in my head during most of my pregnancy while I was expecting my second child. I found this thought to be two-pronged: logistical and emotional.

Logistically, I knew I would be doing things differently with the arrival of my second baby. You’re much calmer the second time, and you know what to care about and what you cannot lose sleep over.

Emotionally, it’s somewhat of a different story. I knew I wanted to savor every second, because I had already experienced how quickly it all passes. Wanting to soak up every single cuddle and crying about how fast it’s all going, even when the time feels like it’s standing still, is a special type of crazy.

Related: 10 Things I’m Doing Differently With My Last Baby

6. How will I care for my child while dealing with morning sickness or postpartum depression?

Unless you’re one of the lucky ones, we all know how awful it is to be out of commission because of morning sickness and pregnancy exhaustion. During your first pregnancy, if you felt sick, you could lie on the couch all day and night and order takeout until those cravings were satisfied. With a second pregnancy, you still feel just as sick, but this time you have a tiny human running around you and demanding your undivided time and attention.

Postpartum, this feeling of dread can feel so real. You are recovering from birth, have your first child who needs attention, and a newborn is waiting not so patiently for you. Be kind to yourself; use screen time if you need to, and remind yourself that this is a temporary situation. Survival is the name of the game these days. Get through any way you can.

Related: How to Survive Pregnancy With a Toddler

7. I don’t know where to start.

An overwhelming feeling can hit you like a ton of bricks when you find out you are expecting your second child. You may have felt like you are just getting the hang of this whole parenting thing, and maybe you are killing the mom game. Enter a newborn, and all your carefully laid routines go out the window. You’ll need to readjust some things with the arrival of number two.

It can be stressful trying to figure out how to handle two of everything; in reality, you just do. It’s a sink-or-swim mentality, and it all gets done. Remember to work as a team with your partner to make sure you divide and conquer. Checklists can be extremely helpful in ensuring you have everything you need before outings, and before you know it, you will be handling two of everything like a pro.

8. I want this moment to last forever (after an hour of uninterrupted sleep).

Expecting the arrival of your second child can be such a bittersweet feeling. If you are having a rough pregnancy, you might wish the months away, desperate to hold that baby in your arms. If you are one of those unicorn mamas who thrive while pregnant (seriously, what’s the secret?), you may be savoring every second of pregnancy and enjoying the ride.

Once the baby gets here, you are desperate for sleep, yet you have those well-meaning people in the grocery store who remind you, “You are going to miss this one day.” Well, yes, I will. But I also miss my bed, sleep, and a hot meal. All of which can be true. However, with your second child comes a deeper realization of how quickly everything passes, along with a sense of nostalgia.

9. I know what to expect.

Pregnancy the second time around can be a tricky thing. On the one hand, you know more this time around, so you might be worried more than you were during the pregnancy of baby number one. On the other hand, there is an element of peace and comfort that comes with pregnancy number two, allowing you to not sweat the small stuff as much and enjoy the ride.

It can be stressful white knuckling every prenatal appointment and milestone during pregnancy. Celebrate the wins, and remember that once the baby is in your arms, there is plenty to worry about there, too. Take this moment of calm and savor it!

Related: To My Second Baby, You Made Me a Better Mom

10. Oh s***.

As exciting as the news can be, it also triggers a sense of panic. The toothpaste is out of the tube; this is happening. The financial aspect of having another baby can be daunting, and there are numerous logistical things to work out. Childcare, being a working mom, the needs of other children, and health concerns. The list doesn’t end. This thought is so normal and familiar, and it doesn’t mean you don’t love your baby or aren’t excited about it. So many things are about to change, but remind yourself that this is exactly where you should be.

Expecting a second child can bring a flood of thoughts, worries, and emotions. Every one of them is valid. Pregnancy and motherhood are intense, life-changing experiences, and feeling overwhelmed does not mean you are doing anything wrong.

Be gentle with yourself, lean on your support system, and remember that having these thoughts means you care deeply. You are already the best mom for your growing family.