How to cope with DC1 and pregnancy with DC2

[ilovechops]

Hello,

Looking for some tips of how to cope with a delightful DC1 when pregnancy with DC2. I'm suffering from utter exhaustion and nausea. I know I'm lucky my daughter is really good but I just can't do anything. If I had my way i would lie on the sofa all day I feel that bad (or sleep) but she doesn't seem keen on that ha ha!

Any easy ideas that can entertain her but don't require energy from me. I feel awful we can't get out on a sunny day like today but just can't summon the energy. Some days I'm ok but must be a growth spurt. Just 8 wks pregnant.

[FoxSticks]

I'm 32 weeks pregnant with a two and a half year old. I found the early days very difficult and we did watch a lot of dvds and cbeebies. Second trimester was fine but I'm beginning to find it harder again. Best thing we did was buy a second hand swing and slide set on ebay and a cheap garden seat from Argos, on nice days we can hang out in the garden. If I give her a watering can and some water she can entertain herself for ages.

Soft play is good, particularly for wet days and especially if you can go with someone else who can help keep an eye on them.

[ilovechops]

Yes we will definitely be in the garden this afternoon. I've just resorted to a film on Netflix. I think it's the guilt I struggle with! She does watch a bit of C beebies normally but not a lot and I just hate putting it on because I am too lazy to do anything but have to keep remembering I am not being lazy and am creating a person!

[ilovechops]

Should say she's just over 2.5yrs! Already been through 5 activities since 8am!

[Artandco]

We have 15 month gap between so ds1 was a lot younger when I was pregnant. Luckily I felt fine first 30 weeks with ds2 ( didn't find out expecting until 20 weeks!)

But ds1 liked:

• baby bath full of rice/ couscous/ lentils as indoor sandpit. Just lay towel underneath to collect mess and add small toys/ spoons etc
  

• took bath daily with him - I could relax a little and he played with bath toys next to me. Saves bath time in eve also!
  

• I went on long walks. Seems counter productive but fresh air stopped me feeling quesy. Just put ds1 in pram and went x2 daily if poss ( although the 8 mile walk at 38 weeks prob led to ds2 being slightly early! - but keeping fit throughout meant labour was much easier)
  

• swam daily. Every eve with ds1 ( still do now with both). Water makes you feel lighter when huge

[eatscakefornoreasonwhatsoever]

I'm in exactly the same position. Age of older child, stage of pg - everything. We're just watching beebies and chilling. I think he's actually quite enjoying having no schedule, no pressure to get dressed, go here and there etc. He's being very cuddly and affectionate so whilst I feel a bit guilty I'm trying to relax and just enjoy it. It won't be for much longer. .. hopefully :)

[SweetsForMySweet]

I'm in the same boat , feeling sick most of the day and no energy. I take ds to the park so he can run around, we have a sand pit and a little water table in the garden so he loves that too. He loves books so I have a stack for him to look at, he has lots of toys to entertain himself and sometimes we just have cuddles on the sofa. He loves looking at our photos on our phones and home made videos of him so it passes some of the day too. Do what you can, it's not easy but hopefully the second trimester will improve and we'll feel better

[FoxSticks]

Don't feel guilty, this will only be for a short period of time, you'll feel a lot better in a couple of weeks and then you can make the most of having some energy again!

I've just seen an advert for our local gym offering a 14 day membership for the holiday. I'm going to look into this as it would be great to take her to the pool a few times, plus they have a small soft play area that we could make the most of. They also have a spa and creche which is pretty tempting too! Maybe there is something similar near you?

Another place to try is your local sure start centre. Ours has a toddler group which runs through the school holidays and is great. Lots of lovely toys and activities and you don't have to do all the tidying of toys on your own! Come September all the toddler groups will be up and running again, I found these a great way of keeping dd amused with minimal effort from me, and I got a cup of tea and a biscuit too!

[ilovechops]

Yes last time I felt great after 12 weeks so have my fingers crossed for that.

I think I have to remind myself it's not for long. A walk is probably a good idea! Need to keep fit but my daughter is out of the buggy now and likes to run so it's action packed. I am hoping she will want a nap today and I can do the same then head out this afternoon.

[FoxSticks]

I find walks difficult as my dd doesn't like going in the pram either, but we can't go too far before she gets tired and demands to be carried.

[eatscakefornoreasonwhatsoever]

Can't do walks here as getting tired makes me vomit as I found to my peril. We can just about stagger to the playground if it's cool though.

Hopefully I'll be better by the time toddler groups start up again

[ilovechops]

Yes I've resorted to driving to the park (only half a mile away) as then she will run around while we are there and I don't have to go through the carrying her home...it is so much easier when DH is at home, wish I could have him here all week!! I tend to find one day I feel ok ish, do quite a bit and then the next day I really pay for it. I also feel much much worse when tired sickness wise which is weird.

I am actually looking forward to being at work tomo and DD being at the childminders!

[KeepSmiling83]

I feel just the same! Am about 7 weeks pregnant and feel so tired and sick. My DD is 3 and I feel so guilty about not being able to do much. Strangely I feel the best in the morning so am trying to do activities with her then but by the afternoon I just want to lay on the couch and sleep. She is a real mummy's girl so is finding it hard when her dad tries to play with her so I can have a sleep. I am wishing the next few weeks go quickly and that I feel better soon!

[LittlePink]

I feel better reading these posts now. Im 19 wks and let 2 yr old DD watch a lot of c beebies which I feel very bad about but some days I cant get off the sofa the fatigue is that bad. A lot of the time she comes and snuggles with me or just sits on the rug quietly watching it so im lucky in the sense shes not zooming around like she would have been if she was a year younger.

I always take her out in the mornings either to a play group (in term time) or to meet friends, park, soft play, garden centre for a wander around, library rhyme time etc but by the afternoon im done in and collapse on the sofa. Generally if I can I will take her to a local swing park but I stay very local these days. I actually managed to bake a cake with her yesterday pm as I had a bit of energy but generally afternoons im conked out on the sofa, poor DD.

[weebairn]

It's really hard.

First trimester I spent a lot of time lying on the floor while she jumped on me or watched tv.

Second trimester was ok and we had lots of good times again.

33 weeks now and massively struggling to push her up the hill into town to go to our usual hang outs. She is also pushing all my buttons (22 months so tantrum central) and demands to be carried a lot despite the fact she has been walking for an entire year - it is doing my back in. So I am doing more things around the house -painting, or just hanging out with her in the paddling pool (I get DP to fill it up before he goes to work). I go places in the car rather than walk which makes me feel a bit lazy but whatever.

I also put her in nursery extra days just to recover. And I get my mum to come and help. And I go to mates houses who have kids and lie on their sofas.

I am not the world's greatest mum. But I guess it is not forever.

It's hard.