Pregnant with a toddler?

[Rockchick1984]

How tough is it really? Have DS 20 months, and TTC. Is it really as bad as I'm gearing myself up for it to be?

[BuntyCollocks]

It's not that bad. I'm more tired than I was when pregnant with him, but think that'd be the case whatever age. DS was 14 months when I became pregnant and currently I'm 8 months.

[Glup]

Actually finding it better than last time (fingers crossed! I hope I don't regret typing this), just because I seem to know what to expect a bit more. I kept on going out in the evenings and doing stuff last time, whereas this time, I do online food orders and sit in and watch tv whilst my toddler plays after work.

Things may, of course, change loads!

[FeckOffWithYourXmasBollocks]

Pregnant with a toddler
Wow! The birth is really going to smart!

[InTheNightGarden]

I have a 18month old, 26 weeks pregnant now! No idea how hard its going to be but my is an absolute delight so can't wait for this one to join the family!! :)

[Joiyuk]

So glad you've started this thread. We are just talking about TTC number two. Ds turned 2 3 days ago so think its a good time for another.

[cupcake78]

Depends how well you are when your pregnant. I happen to be horrific at being pregnant very sick, very tired and every symptom possible.

[Graciescotland]

I'm finding this pregnancy easier than my first (am 38+3 with a 2.3 year old!) It is knackering though, I try and make sure DS gets loads of fresh air/ exercise in the morning when I've got more energy. That way I don't feel bad about lying on the couch whilst he watches ITNG before bath.

[terilou87]

i have a 5yo 4yo and 3 yo currently 41+1. it depends on what kind of pregnancy you have, i was fine coz other than having a bump with ds2 and 3 i never had any sickness or pregnancy symptoms, however this time round iv had spd sickness every ache and pain imaginable and it has been very difficult despite all the help from dp. ill second what graciescotland said it is knackering but worth it in the end

[DeathMetalMum]

I am also finding it mostly tiring (no sickness either). 23 weeks with a 21 month old, however I'm lucky as dp works evenings so is around to entertain during the day. I am keeping us busy we go to two toddler groups a week where as it was one occasionaly before hand.

The thing that had change the most for us is walking, I would quite often walk leaving the pushchair behind anywhere that was within 10 minutes, carrying dd if she wanted I have had to stop this as I can no longer carry her more than up or down the stairs or to another room.

[dizzy77]

I'm 11 weeks in with DC2, DS is 18mo. Still early days, I've had more nausea this time but otherwise touch wood relatively ok. Don't feel any more tired as used to not-quite-being-at-optimum-sleep-levels since he was born. The worst thing for me is the urge to eat to keep nausea at bay: last time, as I packed up drinking, I had about 1000 spare calories a week, I never resumed to pre-child levels so feel much more conscious of watching it.

[CailinDana]

Not too bad really. I'm 26 weeks and my DS is 23 months. He's a quiet easy toddler though so I know that helps! I am tired, and he has a meltdown when I can't lift him (haven't been able to since about 15 weeks - he's a big lad!) but other than that it's not been awful. I'm lucky that I don't suffer much with sickness or pelvic pain, both of which would be horrible with a toddler to manage. I'm sure I'll get more tired as time goes on but DH is good at picking up the slack so I'm not too worried. As long as you're willing to have lazy days when the toddler watches quite a lot of tv then you'll be fine. No point running yourself ragged trying to be "perfect mummy" - you have to allow yourself time to rest.

[TheOnlyPersonInTheRoom]

I'm 7wks in and have a high maintenance 13mo DD. TBH I am not particularly looking forward to either the rest of the pregnancy or the newborn phase! I don't get sick (touch wood) but I am phenomenally tired all the time and will be working full time til as late as possible. I'm totally exhausted already and can't even let on at work yet.

I'm just focussing on about 3 years time when it will hopefully all magically get easier

[PoppyAmex]

"i have a 5yo 4yo and 3 yo currently 41+1"


Seriously though terilou, how hard is it to manage with ages that close?

I have a 7mo and keep wondering if it's easier that way or waiting until she's a bit older.

[TerrorNotSoFrightened]

I got pregnant with DS on DD's 1st birthday, so 21 months between them.
I found it difficult (had hyperemesis and SPD) as couldn't rest as much during this pregnancy as I did with my first.
Also found it hard not being able to run around with DD due to the SPD.

If you are generally healthy through pregnancy it won't be so bad, for what it's worth I found having a newborn and a toddler far easier than being pregnant and having a toddler.

[StrawberriesTasteLikeLipsDo]

Im 32+5 with Dc2 DS is 3.1, in some ways he is quite independent but in most ways not. I have gestational Diabetes SPD and anaemia. All things considered this Pg has gone quicker than the last, ive been hospitalised though, and have definitely been more tired.

The PG aspect isnt too bad but I worry how I'll cope with new born and DS, worry about jealousy too. Having ELCS 21/12 so im telling myself that xmas will either be really good for DS (presets to distract him, more family around) or throw him more

[ChocolateCoins]

I'm 9 weeks and have a 14 mo DD. I'm having really bad morning sickness at the moment and finding it really tough in the mornings. DD wants me to play but I just really can't be bothered which makes me feel really guilty as I feel she's being neglected a bit. I feel okay in the afternoons though so try to make up for it then. Hopefully the sickness will pass soon so I can get back to normal! I'm finding this pregnancy easier than the last so far though. That might change when I've got a huge stomach though! Good luck with ttc op!

[Numbthumbs]

Im 30 weeks with a 16 month old. The worst part about it is the tiredness and sickness in the early days but now im over all that its fine, i love the fact that my two will be so close and im really looking forwards to DD meeting the baby.

Thankfully DD is very laid back, sleeps through and is having a 2 hour nap in the afternoon so i am able to sit on the sofa or have a nap myself, without that i dont know how i would cope to be honest.

Bring on the mayhem

[TheOnlyPersonInTheRoom]

There is one good thing to be said for getting pg again so soon - I only RTW in July and had loads of holiday entitlement (my 25 days plus 8 days bank holiday). I managed to persuade my boss to allow me to carry 13 days over which means next year I get nearly 40 days leave so can go off on mat leave much earlier than I would have if it was a 'normal year'. Thank god for a small age gap and a great boss!

[Lauzifer]

I'm 15 weeks pregnant and have a 20month old DD. The first 12 weeks or so were hard as I spent most of that time with my head down a toilet bowl. Now I've got a second wind and I'm coping much better. I'd say it depends on how your body copes with pregnancy and how demanding your toddler is.

[MrsMarigold]

I have a nine week old and a 17 month old and it is fine I was terrified before hand and the final days of pregnancy were exhausting - not being able to bend to pick things up was hardest. Once the baby arrives it's not as bad as you feared. Although I've had piles which have been the worst thing I've ever experienced - worse than anything in the pregnancy

Although I recommend co-sleeping as I'm far less tired than I was the first time when I got up each night.

Also get into reading to your toddler while pregnant - we read about 20 books a day and it's a nice activity we can do while I'm bf. Prepare the toddler and explain about "our baby" so they feel included in the process.

Good luck.

[terilou87]

poppyamex well having my first two so close was alot easier than having this one with my youngest at 3yo she is very demanding and heavy when she needs picking up or she is climbing on you. plus when there a simlar age they have more in common so play together alot more.

[PoppyAmex]

terilou at the moment I struggle to imagine the logistics of looking after two DCs, so I'm well impressed with your four, with such small age gaps!

[Anothercerealnamechanger]

DC1 will be 2.10 when this one arrives (all being well), I intend to keep 2 days of nursery place reduced from FT, and rope in family and friends!

My other worry is working until 38 weeks but fingers crossed it will be do able.

[terilou87]

it really isnt that much different to just the one. i fell pregnant about 6 week after ds1 was born and i was terrified of how hard it would be ds1 was always crying never slept really hard to look after but when ds2 came along it was no where near as hard as i thought. she was a perfect baby tho never cried just feed her change her and she was asleep the rest of the time. also i think you just go into auto drive and get on with things,

[Emsyboo]

Have a toddler 22 months and 22 weeks pregnant in some ways it is easier but I am a lot more tired getting hard running after DS though but all pregnancies are hard in their own way.
Had to spend night in hospital with bleeding and low lying placenta which is hard being away from DS and difficult to sort childcare but this isn't a normal occurance but keep in mind you may need someone to look after toddler for things as pregnancy goes on.

Good luck TTC and hope all goes well x