2 under 2 - reassurance!

[GoodVibesOnlyPlease]

So I'm currently almost 9 weeks pg with dc2, there will be a 20 month gap when this one arrives. I'd got my head around that and all is fine but after my booking in appointment yesterday the midwife mentioned taking extra iron due to having two pregnancies close together.

I'd not heard of this so then I fell down the Google rabbit hole of two babies close together and possible low birth wait, pre term labour and the rest of it. Please put my mind at rest and tell me it's all just ifs, but and what ifs!!

You could google any issue and hear all the worst possibilities. Yes it's tough with two small babies/children but you just get through it, like everything else. It doesn't last forever.

Stay away from Google ! Anxiety machine that it is.

Take the extra iron, but don't worry too much. You are pregnant now and assuming it is happy news, then that's wonderful!

How many women throughout history have had babies close together and been absolutely fine? Chances are you will be one of them. I know people who have had babies one year apart and they are also just fine.

I think, in an ideal world for your health, they say have a 2 year gap between pregnancies, but many, many people don't wait that long, as there are other benefits to having a smaller gap.

Congratulations to you .

Thank you! Just realised my shocking spelling mistake as well, weight not wait I knew someone would be along to reassure me! Google is the devil's work! We did plan for a fairly small gap and dc1 took a little while so we didn't want to hang around but this time it happened a little quicker than expected! On the plus side they will both be at school within a year!

Yes, I know two families who had the same - 20 month gap, but kids at school one year after the other. Worked really well! No health problems at all, no preterm births either. Both went full term and a bit overdue iirc.

Didn't even notice the spelling mistake!

Good to hear, thank you!

21 months between my two, dc2 was born on due date weighing 9 and a half pounds!

Oh wow, good size!! Thank you, lesson learned (until next time) no more googling!

Congrats OP .

I had two under two, it was the best thing ever, so many advantages, you haven’t forgotten anything, you are used to broken sleep. Of course, it’s busy & hard work at times.

But I would do the same again if I could. My two are 19 & nearly 18 now and very close brothers.

Enjoy, they grow so quick.

Oh forget to say, DS2 was a fortnight early and 9lb 3ozs

I had 2 under 2 and it was fine - hard work for the first year but there are definitely advantages as they get older (e.g similar interests). In fact it could not have been that bad as I had ds3 just before ds1 was 4yrs.

20 months between mine and DS certainly doesn't have a low birth weight - he was 9lb 8!!

You'll be fine, don't worry!

Oh thank you, so many positive stories! You've all put my mind at ease just need to prepare ourselves for the carnage that is the first year then!

For any pregnancy situation there are good and bad stories. I had 4 births in 3.5 years. Sadly, ours was one of the low birth weight tragedies. It's a slightly increased risk, but just take care of yourself as much as possible

I'm sorry to hear that @BloodyMuppet, thank you.

Honestly, do not worry about that. By all means take pregnancy supplements but the vast majority of people who have babies close together don’t have problems.

I had my boys 18 months apart. Ds2 was 9lb and 9 days overdue. I have loved having 2 under 2, it’s just been great. Good luck!

Really sorry to hear that @BloodyMuppet

I've just graduated from 2 under 2, they are now 2 and 4 months. 6lb 10 followed by 7lb 4. I had GD in both pregnancies but otherwise textbook and honestly, it's all fine. Extra vitamin D is a must especially if you're BFing but it's not that close really. My DH is 11 months younger than his brother! Also both fine, altho
MIL claims to have no memory of the first year!

18 months between my two. Dc2 was born at 38 weeks but I put that down to the fact we were idiots and moving house at that time. Plus DH was working in the new area for 6 days a week so life was full on.

I love having my children so close together, their bond is so strong and they utterly adore each other. It's wonderful that they can both enjoy the same age toys and activities, and play together at the same level.

One bit of advice, if you ever get them napping at the same time in the day, fuck off everything else and lie your ass down for a nap too! We had a double floor bed we would all nap on after lunch. It was bliss

@GoodVibesOnlyPlease

So I'm currently almost 9 weeks pg with dc2, there will be a 20 month gap when this one arrives. I'd got my head around that and all is fine but after my booking in appointment yesterday the midwife mentioned taking extra iron due to having two pregnancies close together.

I'd not heard of this so then I fell down the Google rabbit hole of two babies close together and possible low birth wait, pre term labour and the rest of it. Please put my mind at rest and tell me it's all just ifs, but and what ifs!!

I'm 8+3 and have an 11 month old. Nothing to add other than solidarity. If this one sticks, I think I'll have my hands full.

Oops l didn't know about the extra iron!

21 months between mine. DS2 a week and a half overdue and just shy of 9lbs. Aged 2 now and a picture of health! (so far much healthier than his older brother, who gets colds more badly and has viral wheeze).

As someone above said once you start looking you only ever really see the worst of things! I think because that side of things hadn't even crossed my mind I started to panic! Like you say @LimpLettice it's not actually that small age gap and when it's almost a year down the line from giving birth, and you feel perfectly healthy, of course it seems like a good idea to do it all again

I have a 20 month old and I'm 38 weeks pregnant at the moment and my midwife hasn't said anything like that to me. I was anaemic in my first pregnancy too. I should t worry too much if I were you. This baby is definitely going to be bigger than my last, I'm bloody huge! Good luck!

I had a very small gap and low iron was the only issue. It was hard but the pregnancy was fine, I was the size of a house though

Haha amazing @TheBabyAteMyBrain will definitely take on that advice! @3rdtimelucky2019 I say almost 9 weeks, I'm actually 8+4 so nearly the same, agreed, fingers crossed everything carries on smoothly for you! @ArialAnna me neither, I'm sure she said it was standard procedure 🤷‍♀️ I may find out more when I have bloods taken!

Aw I feel like I'm joining a two under 2 club. So glad to see me and my other half aren't the only nutters that think it's a good idea!