8 month baby and pregnant again

[Mumk05]

Hi all, my 1st born has just turned 8 months this week and only for me to find out I missed a period and I am pregnant again after testing positive on a home kit. Its obviously a mixed reaction of feelings, I feel happy that we have been lucky to be blessed again but although we wanted a another baby but perhaps not so soon. The age gap will only be 15/16 months.

I'm still trying to get to grips with my 8 month old, trying to settle a routine which keeps going tits up because of teething and now to think I will no longer physically and perhaps emotionally be able to keep up is driving me crazy with worry and concern.

I feel guilty that I won't be able to give my full attention to my 1st baby and I know I shouldn't care but its also worrying me what other people in my family might think, judge me that I'm already at it with another baby. I am scared I won't be able to cope.
I'm also concerned of any medical implications as they say its best to wait 18 months otherwise there is high risk of premature baby as well as other health risks. I also suffered from gestational diabetes in my first pregnancy.

Both me and my husband are shocked, we have not even had any active sex life since birth of my baby so for the one time and it to have happened has really taken us aback.
Any form of termination is not an option so I feel like I have no choice but to go with it but at the moment I am feeling more negative than happy. I realise there will be advantages and disadvantages for any situations but for now I can only seem to focus on the latter.

Sorry for the long rant, but as a new mum and to then be a mum again so soon is scaring the shit out of me. Any advise will be appreciated.

15 months between ours. It's really not as bad as you think it might be. My only issues were 1st didn't walk until 19 months so that was a bit hard trying to carry two! And the first was a great sleeper, hence no two coming along so quickly 😁 but no two was a terrible sleeper so again a bit of a shock.
Was great getting rid of nappies and dummies almost at the same time, mounds of different stage toys were never a problem and clothes could be mixed and matched for years.
Hardest thing was returning to work after maternity leave already 6 months pregnant. Had a fantastic boss and with alot of annual leave and some unpaid leave only worked for a month before heading off on maternity again.
It's not easy but it's definitely worth it and I wouldn't change the age gap although they are both about to hit puberty so might change my mind soon!

Me two youngest are 15 months apart, they’re 1 and 2 now. The first few months were rough but I don’t even remember those days a year later and it’s amazing as they grow.

They’re a little double act now. The one year old tries incredibly hard to keep up with her older brother which makes it a lot easier (trying to use the potty, insisting on feeding herself since the first day she was weaned, playing independently etc).

everybody fed, nobody dead
🤣🤣🤣🤣

My two stepsons are 15 months apart. They are grown up now but the absolute best of friends.

Ok there is 12 months & 2 wks between my eldest & a set of twins. Can I just say that I was that woman in the village that people said... " do you see that lady with the tiny baby, she's pregnant with twins, god love her" lol
Honestly it was the best thing ever, Sure two years later I had DD1... so 4 children under 3. My kids are all grown now, eldest is 19, they are all fab & I am delighted I had them close in age.

I have 16 months between my first two. A bit of a shock as it took almost a year to get pregnant with DC1, so we thought we'd start trying for DC2 but expected it to take ages. Not in my wildest dreams did I think it would take just one try!

We coped, you do, you just cope. No regrets here, the first year was a bit of a blur but it worked out really well. They are still best friends in their 20s. And as I always say on these sort of threads it can't have been too bad as I had a third two and a half years later.

If it helps, I know two families with this set up. One has a gap of 13 months and one has a gap of 15 months. Both are fine and love the small age gap, though neither planned for it. The eldest won't remember a time before the youngest existed and it's considered one of the best age gaps for reducing sibling rivalry. Family activities are easy to plan and the kids play really well together. Neither had premature second babies or any problems. There's a lot to be said for a small age gap, though I understand the dismay you're feeling. It'll work out fine, I've no doubt.

so I’m 8months postpartum and just found out I’m pregnant again il have 2 kids under 2 😳 has anyone else had a small age gap like this And everything worked out?

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Ali

My two have a similar age gap OP and it's fantastic. The first few months were tough but only because the smaller one was ill and would cry every time I wasn't holding her. Once her illness was treated everything was fine, despite my husband having left us! They are so close now and I am so glad they are similar ages.

Hi OP. I’m the same! My first is 15 months now and I’m due in 7 weeks with my second.

Your risk of prematurity is highER but nut high. My first was born at 33 weeks and despite getting pregnant quickly, baby 2 is still holding on... for now. So as someone with an even higher risk, I’d say this is a worry, but not a major one.

I’m just accepting that 2021 will be a blur but looking at the long term as others have said, I’ll have two kiddos of a similar age who will enjoy the same things. Good luck!

Also - I think what you’re feeling is totally normal. We wanted ours 18months - 2 years apart but it was still a shock and sometimes I panic about how I’m going to cope but we’ll not be the first or the last to have two under two and somehow we’ll middle through it.

My SC's have a similar gap. Planned too!
Busy time when little but there are upsides and downsides to a close gap.
A friend of mine got pregnant about a month after giving birth. Twins. Had 3 kids under 1....

14 month gap here.
I basically had a 12 week second pregnancy as didn't realise I was pregnant and 2nd one was 9-10 weeks early.
It worked out pretty well as they used to do the same out of school activities etc