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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Pregnant again 7 months postpartum.

16 replies

Lchappers · 14/05/2021 18:55

Hi.

I'm just needing some positive stories and advice of other mums out there who have conceived so quickly after baby number 1. (Im blessed)
My DS was an IVF baby. This time around I managed to conceive naturally. (Miracle)
How will i cope with 2 baby's under 18 months?
I'm only 7 months PP.

OP posts:

Chelyanne · 14/05/2021 19:20

You'll manage.

I found out I was pregnant (unplanned) when our 2nd was 5mth, miscarried that one and decided I wanted another. Got BFP with baby 3 6 weeks after mc and they have a 16.5mth age gap. I was able to nap during pregnancy because he napped every day, having 2 very young and one at school was not bad at all. I conceived twins (failed coil) not long after number 3 turned 2, now that one was a tough pregnancy, I was huge but I managed. Having 4 under 5 was tiring but I got it done mostly alone (dh is military so away a lot). We're having baby number 6 now but all the older ones are at school full time so should be great, I love having a house full.

BabbleBee · 14/05/2021 19:22

I had a 20 month age gap between my first and second. It was fine... actually made DC1 easier!!

Moonshine11 · 14/05/2021 19:23

Congrats on both your miracle babies!
No experience but my friend had babies 13 months apart, no lie she was knackered but the relationship the kids have now is amazing and she said it was totally worth it!
Sleep when they sleep 😅

coffeeandjuice · 14/05/2021 19:49

Congrats on your pregnancy! I think any age gap has pros and cons;
Pros: you're in the new born baby zone already, your kids will have similar interests growing up, mine are really close as friends (I have 13month age gap)
Cons: the first six months are tough but then it does get so much easier. It is really tiring trying to juggle a baby who has just found their feet and a baby who needs constant feeding.

But if I could do it all again and make changes- I really wouldn't change a thing.

You may also find it easier because hopefully lock down will have eased and there will be groups for you to go to.

If you're working, definitely look into your rights for maternity leave. You may need to do a certain amount of hours to qualify for another lot of maternity pay- 25 weeks I think?

TwoBlueFish · 14/05/2021 19:55

My 2 are 17 months apart (on purpose), my sister and I are less than 12 months apart!

I loved having mine close together, they napped at similar times, like the same activities and games. It was bloody hard work as well but I’m glad I did it,

AhaShakeHeartbreak12 · 14/05/2021 19:57

This happened to be, 8 months post csection with our ivf miracle

I'm 7 months into the pregnancy so not much advice, but congratulations and I'm sure you'll manage.. that's what I'm hoping for me!

onetwothreeadventure · 14/05/2021 20:04

My youngest are 15 months apart and we’ve made it to them being 2 and 3 and still hanging in there! They’re best buddies, go to the same day care, have mostly the same interests and are fun and exhausting in equal measures. Take all the help you can get if anyone offers!

Original poster

Lchappers · 14/05/2021 20:26

Thank you for all your stories. Its reassuring. And I'm grateful i will have 2 little ones!!
Your all super mums!!

I'm relived this time around lock down is lifting. It will make things a lot easier.

Good luck to the pregnant lady's

OP posts:

PerspicaciousGreen · 14/05/2021 21:08

Check out the website amotherfarfromhome.com. She had something like five kids in six years and has loads of tips for managing children really close together, as well as pregnancy when you have a baby already.

WaitinginVain · 14/05/2021 21:37

Congratulations and I agree with coffeeandjuice; there's no perfect age gap but you will cope somehow! My second and third are 12 months apart and it was hard for quite a long time (2 c-sections and severe reflux with number 3). They're very different personalities but do share a lot of hobbies and interests now, which is great. A PP mentioned maternity rights if working - I went straight from one period of maternity leave into another and was only eligible for Maternity Allowance second time around (not sure if that's still the same). I hope you have plenty of support in the early days and wish you all the best.

Aprilwasverywet · 14/05/2021 21:47

Less than 14 months between 2 of my ds's.... Congratulations op!!
A decent double buggy will prevent you from feeling housebound...

Coffeeandcake36 · 14/05/2021 21:51

My youngest two have 17 months between them it was tough at times but they are so close they like the same programmes same toys it's lovely to hear them giggling together.

MackenCheese · 14/05/2021 22:53

Another one here who got pregnant with DD 6 months after I had ds! Age was not on my side, so I had to get on with it. And like you I had an ivf and then a natural conception. I remember it as the happiest time of my life. Enjoy it, so many people don't get the second one!

faithfulbird20 · 14/05/2021 22:56

I'm so grateful for this thread. How do you share the love between the two? Did any of you feel guilt? My babies only 10 weeks but I'll be planning at 6 months to lay off the birth control. My eldest is 4 and it was tough for her being an only child.

coffeeandjuice · 15/05/2021 08:16

@faithfulbir20 remember feeling quite guilty when I was pregnant. First because I thought it would be impossible to share my time in a way that gave them both enough. Second because I thought it is impossible to love another child with the same intensity I loved the first.

But as it happened, when Baby 2 came I loved her just as much as Baby 1.

As for the time issue, it kind of works itself out especially after the first six months. They both have the same bath time, the same story time, they both like the same games so we play them at the same time, so they get plenty of your time.

But the joy you get from listening to them chatting to each other in their secret language in the back of the car, watching them kiss each other goodnight etc, you can't beat it. Sure they have their arguments and bickers but they learn how to share and compromise etc.

Chelyanne · 15/05/2021 09:58

@faithfulbird20

You don't split love. Splitting your time can lead to feelings of guilt sometimes but you make it work to keep them all happy.

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