Expecting number two?

[ruthietoothie]

Hi, I found out just this week that am 4/5 weeks pregnant with no 2 (dc1 is just one). I'm feeling a combination of excited and terrified about idea of two children under two. Also have mixed feelings about having to go off work again soon (I'm in latter stages of a phd)

Just wondered if there are others out there expectant with no two who want to share experiences / thoughts!

Everyone I know with more than one child seems to have waited about two years before their second, and so a bit scared of the whole two-under-two thing too!!

[Mylittlepuds]

Ha ha ha! I thought you'd said PND not PhD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congratulations - hope you have a lovely, lovely pregnancy.

[june2013]

I'm only expecting my first, but:
1 - I'm also doing a PhD, and I think it's a great time to have kids. Though I am anxious about managing mine with a baby. Still!
2 - there's only 18months between my brother and I and we have always been extremely close. There was never a feeling of favourites or rivalry or anything like that. We grew up like twins and we loved every minute of it! We're still very close now (and in our 30s)...

Good luck & congrats!

[Mylittlepuds]

Me too and me too me too!

DS 20 months, I'm due in April and had very, very bad PND that I'm still not over. Was a surprise.

Was petrified when found out. Have been more anxious due to PND but things have settled down and I know that if I'm badly affected again at least I'll know why I'm feeling weird. 25 weeks now.
x

[Hai1988]

Hi im pg with my second and my ds is 7.4 years so quite a age gap there! Think the gap will have its pros and cons like any gap tbh.

Am 13+5 weeks today had my 12 scan last week and all went well :)

[ruthietoothie]

Milkyjo your ds sounds great! Def going to get mine a doll nearer the time.

[milkyjo]

I have heard its much easier once the new baby has arrived! I will be 27 weeks on DS 2nd Birthday this week, he will be 2.3 when DD arrives. He has a baby doll (mine as a child) and says baby in mummy's tummy. He has a book called 'there's a house in mummy's tummy' which he really likes. I told him from about 14 weeks about the baby inside as I am trying to prepare him early on - although he might not really understand what's going on, he likes to help me if baby is 'stretching' (braxton hicks).

[NAR4]

My little girl (baby number 4) got so used to me being sick with this pregnancy that she would even pass me hair bobbles and rub my back when I was being sick.

Now I have really bad SPD (PGP) and she passes me my crutches and carries things for me.

She really seems to understand there is a baby in mummy's tummy. She talks to my tummy and rubs it sometimes. She even likes to pull my top up and give the baby stickers. I think talking to my children about each pregnancy is what stopped the jealousy. They had plenty of time to get used to the idea.

All in all, compared to a pregnancy where you feel rubbish, with a young toddler to look after, having a newborn and older toddler is much easier.

[Mylittlepuds]

Thank you I felt guilty at first but it passed quite quickly. Just kept imagining that moment when DS sees DC2 for the first time!

[ruthietoothie]

Ps nar4 thanks for tips on special jobs and books for big sister / brother. Sounds great. I've found out they want me to have an early scan (I had an op under general anaesthetic just before i got pregnant) so just want to get that out of the way in the next week or two (hopefully), and then I might feel ready to tell family and closest friends and even start getting a bit excited

[ruthietoothie]

Congrats on all the second pregnancies! On all day sickness I found that eating little and often really helped. Even when it was the last thing I fancied half an oatcake would often quell the worst of the sickness. Hope it eases off for you soon.

[NAR4]

Baby number 4 will be 22/23 months old when baby number 5 is born. This is the same age gap (by chance) as my older 3. It was fine then and I'm sure it will be fine again.

None of my children have ever been 'good' sleepers and never had that lovely 2 hour afternoon sleep other mums talk about. I still survived! It honestly isn't as hard as I'm sure you are worrying it will be. Your toddler will be a lot more grown up and capable by the time baby actually arrives.

Buy a few 'special' books to give your toddler from the baby, when he/she is born. Read one of these books to your toddler when you are spending a long time feeding the baby. If you breastfeed, a sling is really helpful as well. It allows you to feed baby whilst doing housework or playing with your toddler.

Maybe I was very lucky but none of my children were ever jealous of the new arrival and actually enjoyed 'helping' to look after them. I use to give them big brother jobs to do, ie fetch a clean nappy for me, gently rock the pram whilst I cooked dinner, sing for the baby. These jobs actually did help a surprising amount. They have all grown up really close as well, hence we decided to do it all again.

[MrsMargoLeadbetter]

Closest not closet friends!!

[MrsMargoLeadbetter]

Am preg with DC 2. DS will be 5 when the baby is born, so different from most of you. It is right for us, but it bring a different set of challenges.

My closet friends all have kids close in age like most of you will have. It was hard, but once the second hit 2ish you could see it was getting easier, the kids were enjoying each other's company and my friends were getting their lives back.

Wishing everybody a healthy pregnancy.

[Neiffer]

Snap littlemilla and jojo, literally the day after we must have conceived I felt nauseous and its been up and down since. Up as in just feeling a bit sick and down as in major puking fest. It's all died down the last few days tho. First pregnancy was a breeze and no sickness or anything. Wonder if this ones a girl?! I'm already struggling with ds so god knows how ill be when huge!!

[Jojobells1986]

I was 7 weeks pg with #2 on DSs 1st birthday. I'm also having mixed feelings about it but only because I had a really healthy pregnancy with DS but this time round I've been nauseated & dizzy since 3dpo. I'm 15 weeks now & it's beginning to ease but it's been difficult to get excited about the idea of another child to look after when I've been struggling to take care of myself, let alone the one I already have! I'm already looking forward to DH having paternity leave so he can be around to help out 24-7!

[LittleMilla]

Really feeling sick as a dog, this isn't good for getting me excited! Really didn't have this with ds, dear god!

Any tips for dealing with all day sickness. So far I'm just feeling rough and retching. Eurgh!!

Sorry, had a pants day

[ruthietoothie]

Congrats, mylittlepuds, glad to hear you're feeling more positive about the pregnancy now

[Mylittlepuds]

DS 19 months, 20 weeks with DC2. A surprise! Absolutely terrified at first as have suffered with severe anxiety since birth of DS but we're still thrilled and excited. Can certainly understand mixed feelings but they lessen as the pregnancy progresses. They have for me anyway.

[ruthietoothie]

Woodifer - congrats! we are at almost exactly same point then. Don't even talk to me about hormonal ;-) I'm constantly either pi**ed off or teary at moment.

[helebear]

Congrats to all you fellow 2nd timers! I'm 23 weeks with no.2 & dd is 21 months so there'll be almost exactly a 2 year gap. I have a bro who is 18 months younger than me & we've always been very close & I can't remember him not being in my life so I always wanted quite a close gap. Was excited & terrified when I first found out! I've been slowly getting my head around it more as the pregnancy progresses but I still can't imagine how the logistics of things like getting 2 year old dd bathed & in bed with a newborn in tow!

[Neiffer]

Funny isn't it, the guilt. I think I'd have it even if ds was 5. I do worry I'm taking my time from him. Hey ho. Im driving myself nuts trying to figure out if I've had a missed miscarriage :( god knows why, I didn't worry at all last time! I think I just want to know if there's something in there or not. Even busted out the doppler despite being more than aware that I'd find anything. I didn't. Argh.

[ruthietoothie]

Woodifer - congrats! we are at almost exactly same point then. Don't even talk to me about hormonal ;-) I'm constantly either pi**ed off or teary at moment.

[Longfufu]

Ive just found out I'm expecting No. 2, so 4 weeks. DS is 22 months.

[LoveYouForeverMyBaby]

Two more bfps this morning so think I'm 4/5 weeks pg.

Feel a bit like I've betrayed dd as shes only 1 and feel like I should be spending quality time with her while shes little. Another part of me feels a little excited about dd having a sibling and vice versa.

[Woodifer]

Ooh me too. DD just gone 1.
4/5 weeks pregnant with no. 2. I'm also feeling guilty towards DD, and ridiculously hormonal!