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Original poster

Would I be mad to TTC with a 6 month baby?

31 replies

Feelingbroody · 05/05/2008 20:38

My baby is just over 6 months. Am feeling broody and don't want a huge age gap... would it be mad to start TTC now? (No guarantees it would happen straight away obviously, and I'm not getting any younger). Anyone around with a small age gap?
Thanks!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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NotABanana · 05/05/2008 20:39

Oh you lucky thing! I would have loved to have done that but had a section. Go for it!!

eenybeeny · 05/05/2008 20:41

I know someone who got pregnant 5 weeks after their DD was born. I mean GOOD LORD

Go for it! I would have done it if DH had been on board. As it is now we have a 20 month old and are TTC.

midnightexpress · 05/05/2008 20:42

Yes it's great! We've got 14 months between our two (now 2.6 and 15 months) and although it's pretty knackering, they are starting to play together (sort of) now and are into the same things and are just scrumptious.

I found the second pg much more tiring than the first and the recovery slower (I had 2 emergency cs though, which didn't help, and I'm an older mum) but worth it of course.

Go for it!

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tribpot · 05/05/2008 20:43

Well I have a nearly 3 year old and have been TTC since forever. I wanted a much smaller age gap so am doubly gutted that it's taking so long. Go for it and see what happens.

Kiansmummy · 05/05/2008 20:44

Its your choice completely me and my brother were close in age ( 14 months gap) and we have always been close and he developed quickly because he was watching me - the only thing I would say is that ur oldest child would have to grow up quicker than normal and may get less attention but there are positives and negatives in every situation and above all its ultimately ur decision!! Good luck

Original poster

Feelingbroody · 05/05/2008 20:47

NAB - I had a section too! Does that mean I'm supposed to wait? Noone told me that!

Tribpot, exactly: it can take ages and is unlikely to happen in month one of trying. Good luck to you and Eeny!

Midnight express and Kiansmummy, thanks for the positive comments.

OP posts:

MummyDoIt · 05/05/2008 20:50

We've got 14 months between our two and I absolutely love it. Wouldn't have it any other way. Looking back, I suppose it was hard work at first but I honestly don't remember feeling that at the time. I certainly never felt overwhelmed. Now mine are 4 and 5 and I'm really reaping the benefit as they play so well together. I'd say go for it!

NotABanana · 05/05/2008 20:51

I couldn't try sooner as they botched my section, and at first I wouldn't contemplate another child. It has been said it is best to wait until 12 months after the op to try again but every mother is different.

Nemoandthefishes · 05/05/2008 20:52

I had 12mths between my dds so was 3mths pg by time dd1 was 6mths..lol Also hae an older son who was 3.2yrs when dd2 was born. I love the small gap and both dds generally get on very well apart from when it comes to toys. They are now 16mths and 2.4yrs and are fab. We are going to ttc again in the next month or two for no.4

MummyDoIt · 05/05/2008 20:52

Just noticed NotaBanana's comment - I had a c-section with DS1 and had no problems with the second pregnancy. I mentioned before I was discharged from hospital and again at my six week check that I had no intention of using any contraception and no-one said it was a bad idea.

oliviaelanasmum · 05/05/2008 20:53

Im pregnant with dc4 (15 weeks) and dd2 is only 7 months, i was told i was infertile after dd2 so these dd3 & dc4 are very welcome surprises

chrissnow · 05/05/2008 20:56

I had a section and was pg again within 3 months. Consultant was most disapproving and muttered about scar rupture etc . . . i muttered back about expecting to be well looked after then
In answer to OP. Having 2 with a 13 month gap. Yes you are totally insane!!! . Nah at almost 2 and almost 3 they are just beginning to become best mates and it makes it all worthwhile.

NotABanana · 05/05/2008 20:57

My section was botched and didn't heal so I am not a usual case.

MummyDoIt · 05/05/2008 21:06

If you do go for a small age gap, just prepared for every Tom, Dick and Harry asking you if it was planned. Everyone seems to assume you must have been careless or stupid.

Nemoandthefishes · 05/05/2008 21:10

oh do agree with mummydoits comment and also be asked if you have a tv, dont you do anything else, etc etc just ignore them..lol

LuckySalem · 05/05/2008 21:11

Feelingbroody - I want to start TTCing again now - DD is 4 months on weds and originally DP did but now he wants to wait till she's at least 6 months before getting pregnant (and won't listen to my argument of it took 2 years to get her we best get going)

If you want to and so does your partner go for it, but remember being pregnant with a baby will be hard work.

jaynz · 05/05/2008 21:14

DS was 6 months when we got preg again (18wks now). Were expecting it to take a few months at least but 1 cycle later...

We only started thinking about it because he had started to crawl at 5 months so it kind of seemed like a marker to start trying for some reason

gingeme · 05/05/2008 21:27

Go for it Feelingbroody. I have a very soon to be 14 year old and 12 year old just 15 months apart. BF accident and an 18 month and 4 month old meaning they are 15 months apart too. None of them planned this way but I find it a very good age gap tbh. Good luck

ChippyMinton · 05/05/2008 21:31

I'd say go for it (My 3 DC are 13 & 15 months apart and i had an emergency section first time around). It is hard work, but you will reap the rewards of having them so close together.

mimsum · 05/05/2008 23:43

there is some research (can't put my finger on the reference but can try to dig it out if anyone's interested) that suggests that physiologically the best gap between births is 18 months to 3 years - seems to have the best outcomes for both mother and baby in terms of risk factors for various things, birthweight etc - sooner than 18 months, babies are more likely to be smaller and mothers more likely to find the pregnancy harder - more than 3 years and the body almost 'forgets' it's been pregnant before

fwiw my gaps are 2y9m and 2y11m - not planned that way, but ime it's an absolutely perfect gap

Original poster

Feelingbroody · 06/05/2008 08:19

Thanks for the comments everyone. Minsmum, that gap you suggest sounds like the perfect 2.4 children style gap, but I suppose in real life it takes time to conceive and so we can't decide the gap ourselves anyway!

I guess people would make comments but in the end it's up to us to decide when to have another dc and also starting TTC now doesnt of course necessarily mean I'll be pregnant immediately!

OP posts:

sweetkitty · 06/05/2008 08:24

I was broody immediately after DD1 but waited until DD1 was 9 months before ttc, yes we got pregnant that first month and theres 18 months between them, I love the gap and wish it were less TBH. I'm pregnant with number 3 and DD1 will be 4 and DD2 2.6yo, would have had another smaller gap but periods didn't come back until DD2 was 11 months this time and then I had a mc so gap is larger than we would have liked. The pregancies get harder the more toddlers you have to look after but I can't wait to have all my gang.

GooseyLoosey · 06/05/2008 08:29

I have 15 months between my 2. It was very hard at first and ds had no interest in dd until she was about 2 and could talk to him. However, now they are 3 and nearly 5 there are upsides. We can do the same kind of activities with them both as they are close enough in age to want to do the same things, they will play together a lot and always keep each other company (although they also fight a lot too).

Thankyouandgoodnight · 06/05/2008 09:58

Not mad at all! We started trying (half heartedly) at 6 months and at 9 months decided we might wait and enjoy christmas and new year but by then it was too late......

I think there are pros and cons either way to be honest and a lot of how you cope is down to your attitude.

poodlepusher · 06/05/2008 10:32

If you are fit and strong and otherwise healthy, go for it. IF not, get yourself in the best shape possible for dealing with (and possibly carting around in your arms / up and down stairs etc) two babies. I did it with a 15 mth age gap and its fine if not wonderful, but there's nothing wrong with me.

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