Pregnant again 7 months post-partum! Advice please!

[Nellynoo182]

So we have had a huge shock in finding out I am pregnant again only 7 months after having DS! I have been on contraception and totally blindsided by this!

DS was born premature and now I am really worried this next little one will be even earlier. I’ve also been on a boozy hen do in the last 2 weeks and drinking over the bank holiday which I’m really worried about. I have no idea how far along in my pregnancy I am as I haven’t even had a period yet. I only tested as feeling exhausted and nauseous for the last 3 days. Test said I’m 3weeks + though.

Feeling very worried and guilty and generally overwhelmed at the moment. Any positive stories or words of advice? ❤️

Mine are close together and DC1 was only 7 months when I got pregnant with DC2.
Everything worked out fine, I actually had a great pregnancy and the birth was a lot easier and enjoyable, I was home within 18 hours.

I think it’s natural to worry and I really did and yes I felt guilty but now I have two primary kids who are the best of friends and life is sort of easier because they share toys, clothes, friends, activities etc. The earlier years were tiring for sure but also really enjoyable as I could do a lot of activities with them both in the buggy and by time DC1 was fully mobile and running around, I felt comfortable carrying DC2 and we got out and did loads together.

In terms of your 2nd baby being premature, I don’t have personal experience but lots of other posters will and of course your midwife and / or consultants will keep close eye on you and monitor how your pregnancy develops.

Good luck OP, there’s lots and lots of us out there with close age gaps, you’re not alone!

Thank you so much for sharing, your message definitely starts to make me feel excited. It is just such a shock and not how I imagined it all to happen! I keep reading about them being close in age actually ending up being a good thing when they get that little bit older so that is really nice to hear.

Hopefully this one makes it to term but we will see!

I found myself with a surprise pregnancy last year with my dc being just 8 months old, so completely get how you're feeling. My dc2 is now 7 months and we've found out feet/routine now so things are feeling easier.

I prefer being mum to 2, as I wasn't second guessing everything I do in the newborn stage, was a lot more relaxed, and more confident in my Mum gut!

My waters broke early in my first pregnancy, and I was really paranoided they'd go again with my second. But that didn't and second time round I went over due. They will keep a closer eye on you this time round with your history.

I'd also been drinking in the 2 weeks up leading up to me finding out I was pregnant, I'd just given up bf and felt my body was mine again! I felt awful too, but you didn't know you were pregnant and many other women will have also done it, so don't be hard on yourself.

Seeing my two grow together, they already have an amazing bond it's incredible to watch. They play with the same toys, make each other smile and giggle and I'm happy to get the baby years done close together.

A good double buggy and a sling for the little one will definitely help. You've got this!!

I’m another one who had an unexpected pregnancy, I was four months pregnant when I realised I was pregnant and my daughter was eight months old so only 13 months between them! I too had been drinking alcohol during those early months, been skiing and had just donated all my maternity clothes!

After the initial shock, I actually enjoyed the rest of the pregnancy, I guess I was too busy looking after my other children ( I had a three year old as well) and working out the logistics of having three young children to worry about coping with another baby. It took me a few weeks to get into a routine with the new baby but it helped that I was able to get all three of them down for an afternoon nap at the same time.

My youngest two were great friends and played together well, they are still best buddies even though they are adults now.