Pregnant & a bit desperate, help!

[Addictedtocustardcreams]

DD has just turned 2. DC2 due in 6 weeks now. DD has never been a great sleeper but I think had some kind of 2 year old sleep regression & around the same time got really sick & her sleep got totally buggered up. She is starting to settle a bit but is still up at least twice a night. I am not really keen on sleep training involving lots of crying for her, not really a general problem with it but last time I tried to do more of a gradual retreat but being a bit tougher & letting her cry rather than get her up it was a disaster. She got worse & worse so by the end of the second week she was sobbing & saying 'no bed' every time I got her near her cot. Since then she has gone into a bed & I have tried gradual retreat again but more slowly & not letting her cry- I couldn't manage to retreat! Now I have been telling her I will be back in a minute & leaving the room briefly hoping to build this up. However she now thinks this is a fun game, follows me & tries to play peek-a-boo with the door every time.
Does anyone have any other clever suggestions?
Failing that has anyone got any advice on coping with a new born plus toddler who never sleeps through & retaining sanity???!