Pregnancy 5 months post birth

[Joeybee]

I have a 5 month old baby boy. I delivered him after a long labour by emergency c-section. I'm dealing with ptsd and post-partum anxiety. Also I'm socially isolated. I have no family in this country and my Husband is away 11 hours a day.
I'm not sure how I'll cope with pregnancy whilst managing my baby, with a pregnancy so soon after c-section and how will I manage with a 13 month old and a newborn?
Suppose I'm asking if anyone has been through similar or know anyone who has. Also any tips/advice on how to cope.

Quite similar to you. Long 3 day labour with my son followed by c section then fell pregnant again when DS was around 4 months old!
I felt all sorts of overwhelming emotions when I found out I was expecting, guilt about how it would impact DS, then guilt because I was more shocked than pleased/excited, total anxiety at how I will cope with a 1 year old and a newborn, how my body would cope being pregnant after c section, e.t.c. so I can empathise with how you feel. Both our families live quite far from us so we have little support as well. We did want kids close together but never expected it to happen so soon!
My son is now almost 11 months old and I am 33 weeks pregnant. I am now super excited about expanding our family! I am still quite anxious about how I will cope with two babies and how my son will react to a newborn. But there are LOTS of positives! The first trimester was tough because of tiredness but because I was off on maternity, I actually slept and rested when my son napped and slept. I wouldnt have been able to do that if I were at work. My pregnancy has actually been easier this time and I think because Im at home that has helped. Also people say its much easier being pregnant and looking after a baby rather than a toddler, they're lighter to carry for a start! Also on the plus side, I am only back to work for 8 weeks!
My son is at a childminder 4 days a week and will continue to go there when I have the new baby until I figure out a system and feel able to manage both, then I'll take him out a day or two.
Is there any way you can afford any help with childcare for your son? Or could your husband reduce his hours on a temporary basis to help out when new baby is here?
I think as well I might look into hiring a cleaner to take some pressure off.
I still wonder how the hell I will cope but have spoke with lots of women who have has a short gap with kids and got through it, with or without family help. They all also say they are sop glad they had them close together because the kids end up close, you're already into the swing of baby stuff anyway, e.t.c. There is no doubt it will be HARD but whether you have 1 child or three or whatever the gap, its hard.
Has your HV or GP been helpful with your post partum anxiety and PSTD?
If you want to pm me feel free as in the next couple of months I will be able to give you tips on how to manage!
Oh and also, I have made the decision to go for an elective section. I would like to try VBAC, but as my son is so young and we have no close family nearby, for practical reasons it suits better - I can arrange for care for my son in advance and know what to expect with a section, but it wont be rushed this time after a 3 day labour with little sleep! ELCS right now over VBAC seems the lesser of two evils!

I had an emergency c section followed by severe PND.. fell pregnant just under 4 months after giving birth.
There's 12 months and 2 weeks between DS1 and DS2. Its hard work, but wouldn't have it any other way. We're expecting again, due in September and by that point, DS1 will be 2 years 9 months old and DS2 will be 1 year and 8 months old, so we'll have 3 under 3!

I'm currently 35 weeks pregnant and I have a 13 month old. I'm not going to lie, it's physically exhausting at times and I'll be so glad once DC2 is here!

I'm definitely not planning on having anymore now or in the future, so I'm glad they'll both be close in age.

Wow @CoffeeAndASliceofCake! Do you have any tips on how you coped when the newborn was here? How did DS1 react when you brought DS2 home?

@myotherbagusgucci yes I am starting to find it physically difficult now lifting my DS1 and feel so bad when I have little energy to interact with him as well as I could be.

@blondeirishmummy84 For the first month or so, DS1 didn't really acknowledge that DS2 was a real person, he had little interest in him, then out of nowhere, he started showering him with love! Constant cuddles and kisses, it's great watching them together now they're that bit older, it's like they have a built in play mate, always laughing and mucking about together - hoping DC3 slots in as easily as DS2 did!

DS2 was an elective section (didn't feel comfortable trying for a VBAC) so my DH took over the night wakings with DS1 when DS2 arrived - a massive, massive help especially in those first few painful weeks and its actually remained that way ever since! We're fans of 'tag teaming' the kids otherwise they can have the tendency to run circles around me come the end of the day! I was so set on a 'routine' when we had our first baby, but with the second, you really have to go with the flow. I found that my days rarely go to plan and I've learned to accept that. Truthfully, if everyone is still alive by bed time, I consider the day to have been a success 

Thanks so much for all your wonderful replies, it's made me feel way more optimistic.

In answer to the question, nope can't afford childcare. We've just built a house and used all our savings on that, I've been on unpaid maternity leave, due back in April and basically we were relying on my being back at work to get us back on track financially...now I'll only be back for 5 months max, so won't have built up enough money.
This is just all such bad timing. However I do feel that having 2 babies would be easier than having a newborn and toddler, plus I wanted my children close together, so maybe this is just fate.