Heavily pregnant with a toddler....anyone else struggling?

[Rochyella84]

I"m 38 weeks pregnant with a 2 year old and I'm finding it so hard. I'm on maternity leave now and though he is in nursery a couple of days he is with me the rest of the time. My husband works really long hours so its just me from 7am - 7pm.

I'm not trying to do too much, we try to get out once a day and then its Cbeebies the other half of the day but even so I'm just exhausted. I'm finding it hard to keep my cool with normal toddler behaviour which normally doesn't phase me too much, and feel really guilty about that.

Anyone got any tips to get through these last few weeks?

My eldest was 20 months when my second was born and then just over 3.5 when my third was born and middle was 2, honestly the only thing that got me through was television for the boys :-( and having people over to help with them or play with them, I felt terrible but it doesn't last forever xxx

I'm in a similar position. 37+2 with a 17 month old. She is in nursery 2 days which helps but basically exhausted. I'm just trying to take her to playgroups most mornings - it tires her out and means I don't have to get too involved in play.

I've been beating myself up over how boring I must be for my 3 year old over the last few weeks as well. I'm 36 weeks pregnant, DD is at pre school 2 days a week so it's just me and her for 3 days a week. DH works similar hours to yours. I try to get out in the morning until 2/3 ish and then we watch tv or films or we play in the garden (she plays, I sit) if the weather's decent.

I find it's a double edged sword as getting out in the morning means I'm even more tired come the afternoon so less every to play etc.

I figure (hope?!) that my DD won't remember this boring Mum stage and hopefully having a new sibling will make up for it in the long run!

I'm in the same boat. 31+ weeks with an almost 2 year old. We've started going to a mother a toddler group on a monday for 2+ hours and i have started going out for days out with my mum and then the odd day with MIL but i also have SPD again. I struggled just a 5 minute walk to the shop this morning and find if i have spent the day out one day the next day i can't do much which i think is unfair on her but unfortuently there is nothing i can do about that. She still wants picking up which the health visitor has told me stop now before the baby comes xx

It is so, so hard being pregnant, especially heavily pregnant, with a toddler. Like PPs, television got me through. Plus rest as much as you can (I know you probably feel as if you have loads to do though) if you get any time to yourself. CBeebies is your friend .

Yes! I’m with you. 33 weeks and have a two and a bit year old DS. He’s amazing but so high energy. Sort of like having a massive puppy.
I’m trying to get us out of the house in the morning and accepting that the television will be on a bit more than I would like.
My husband also does long hours and is currently away with work. He’s back tomorrow after 10 days in the USA thank God!! I’m exhausted.

yes! husband works 13 hr days and I am 36 weeks pregnant and also have a nearly 3yo.
He watches FAR FAR FAR too much Cbeebies at the moment and I just lie on the sofa groaning.
The washing has become a nightmare for me. We live halfway up a very steep hill and have one of those gardens on loads of different levels. Also a three storey house.... so you can imagine what its like cleaning and collecting washing and then hanging it out whilst being basically a giant exhausted whale.

Ahhhhhh I am so glad not to be alone! Hello ladies!

If anyone wants this to turn into a support thread of sorts I am definitely game.

I could kick myself now looking back at my first maternity leave and feeling so bored...what I would give to have that time again. Tomorrow its just me and the toddler again...I'm going to bed and actually dreading it. That makes me feel so so awful....he is such a good kid and he doesn't deserve that attitude!

Currently trying every trick in the book to get this baby out too - I keep thinking....I can't go overdue, how would I make it to 42 weeks!

I’m 34 weeks with a 20 month old and my back is starting to give up under the strain of lugging them both around! Dd is an angel most of the time and thankfully still naps for two hours every afternoon so I just have to get us out for the mornings and she’s happy. I have no idea how I’ll cope when the second one actually arrives though?!

Just hopping onto this thread to send you all sympathy - I was you not long ago! DC3 arrived 6 weeks ago, other 2 were 5.5y and 20 months. From about 30 weeks I was so utterly done with pregnancy this time round, so I really do feel for you all.
The good news is that, for me at least, juggling toddler + newborn is a billion times easier than toddler + pregnant (my eldest is a dream anyway, bless her). And baby is fairly high needs and a bit of a screamer, and it’s still easier than the last weeks of pregnancy. I am SO GLAD I never have to go through it again. It already feels like a long time ago though and was totally worth it - we all adore smallest, my big 2 are completely in love.
I promise you that seeing your big babies loving the little ones is the absolute best thing ever and will make this horrible slog all worthwhile!

Believe me, you will be a different person when this baby is born, I had so much more energy once baby number 2 arrived, being pregnant with a toddler was absolutely exhausting. Just do what you can to get through the days, take any help that's offered, forget about housework and cooking. The only thing that got me through the last few weeks was the very kind grandparents taking the toddler for a couple of days a week.

Yes I’m with you, I am just SO sick of pregnancy and feeling like a rubbish, boring mum. Currently 38 weeks with a 23 month old toddler. I can’t wait to be able to chase her around and be a fun mummy again. I hate the television at the moment, and it is on way too much but it gives me the means to cope.

Ohhh Jesus I was thinking of trying for a second soon but I've just remembered how hard pregnancy actually is!! My lo is 9 months and was thinking of having close together but thinking about it maybe wait 4:5 years ? Has anyone done it like that ? So they older child can be more involved and understand more what's happening xx

Can I jump on in to the thread ladies! I'm 39 weeks with a toddler who turns 3 on Sunday. I am absolutely shattered and can barely believe I might have 3 more weeks of this. Luckily DD is in nursery 3 days but the 2 days we have together leave me so exhausted and cranky. Really trying not to be a boring crabby mummy as I know we will never get this precious time just me and her again, but it's so hard!

Welcome to anyone who has joined and thanks for the reassuring messages from those who have been there. I have heard from others that the newborn stage is easier than this heavily pregnant stage...I hope that's true!

twinkletee we are a very similar stage - my toddler turns 3 the week after I'm due and I'm 38 weeks now. I am so cranky with him its untrue and often he hasn't even done anything that wrong! Such Mum guilt.

No but I've been there and it was tough going.
Don't feel guilty for watching lots of CBeebies.

Mine are nearly 3 and nearly 5 now and the dynamic between them is adorable. Share a room and hold hands wherever they go. You've got loads to look forward to.

I just had twins @ 38 weeks on Monday via c section. DS is a lovely boy, 2y10mo. The sheer joyous relief of not being pregnant any more utterly outweighs the squawky chaos of twin newborns and all the bf that goes with it.

@Rochyella84 yes the mum guilt! so bad.....
I really don't want my two DD's to have similar birthdays, but I'm not sure I want to be doing this for several more weeks!

Yep, I had twins and a toddler. I can honestly say at no stage has it ever been as hard as being heavily pregnant and trying to take care of toddler. Lots of tv, books, playgroup where you can sit on an actual chair. Hopefully it will happen soon. I felt so good the moment they took them out! I could actually breath and eat! And sleep in between their wake ups. It was more sleep than I was getting while pregnant!