The present study aimed to investigate the expectations and feelings of pregnant women regarding their second child. A total of 25 second-time mothers, aged 28 to 43, in the last trimester of their second pregnancy, took part in the study. They lived with their partners, in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. A semi-structured interview was carried out, which was analyzed according to qualitative content analysis. The mothers reported their expectations concerning the second child regarding gender, name, and physical and emotional characteristics, often making comparisons with the firstborn. Mothers who are expecting a new baby are faced with the challenge of welcoming and accepting the unknown that the new infant represents. The meaning the second child has for the mother must be explored in future studies on the subject.
Family structure; Pregnancy; Mother child-relations; Second child