Will I cope? Worried!!

[Madallie]

I've just found out I'm pregnant with DC2. We already have a beautiful but very spirited 18mo and I am really panicking about how we'll cope when the new baby comes. DD is adorable but keeps us on our toes, I guess like most 18mo she's on the go all day. She never ever sits still. She's an ok sleeper (although has started waking at 5am!) but goes through not so good patches with this too.

I guess I'm just looking for other peoples' reassuarance. Has anyone felt really worried about how they'll cope when pregnant with DC2 (or 3etc)?

Thanks

Uh huh... DD 15 months and I'm 6 weeks pregnant. Totally planned and a million per cent wanted & loved already but yeah... Still having the whole "aaaarrrrrrggggggghhhhhhhh" feelings. Sorry, no reassurance there really but nice to know you're not the only one !?!

Yes you will, it will be hard work though... We have a 21 mo very spirited ds and a 9 week old ds2. We have limited family support and have been lucky enough to keep ds1 in nursery 4 days a week which has helped massively. I drop him off late and pick up earlier than I would do when working but it does help and also allows me time to get to know ds2. Life is busy to say the least and challenging dealing with ds1 who is more demanding than ever understandably. We moved use when ds2 was 2 days old which I wouldn't recommend...!

All the time I was pregnant I had 2 under 2 fear to the extent I couldnt really enjoy the pregnancy so totally know where you are coming from. Your worries are completely normal, congratulations!

I've just had dd2 and dd1 is 21 months, she's exactly as you described apart from the fact she has always been a great sleeper so we've atleast got that, you will cope, 9 /10months is a massive length of time at that age in the sense that even within a few weeks they can go from a few words to stringing them together, by the time your new dc arrives she should be talking pretty fluently and have a much greater understand , ( she will also be much more interested in the tele if she's anything like mine, we've managed to get her to sit and watch a whole episode of mr tumble whereas at 18 months a 5 min of peppa pig was to boring), I find you may resort to bribing ie you have to be really good if you want to go somewhere etc or go and see nana and also discussing with her while we are driving that we will be getting out and she must be a good girl and hold hands as we have the baby in the pram and she promises she will, it does work to a degree anyway but don't worry about your newborn, all they do is sleep

You are not alone, i too have a 20 month old DS and am 8 weeks pregnant. All planned and very much wanted but the reality of when you get the bfp makes it a whole new ball game, and that its really real and its happening. Took me a couple of weeks to get my head around it but now i'm quite excited and just trying as much as possible to enjoy having one on one time with my DS.

We will cope, because you just do. And take advantage of every opportunity of someone offering help. I've ended up telling a few friends i see all the time and they have been great at helping run after my DS while i'm trying not to throw up