Pregnancies 8 months apart

[Cl9]

Hello,

My baby girl is almost 9 months old and I’ve just fallen pregnant again (on the pill, thought I was great at taking it and could be user error or just one of those things). I’m happy and excited but a bit worried about having a pregnancy so close to my previous one, especially when I had a c-section.

I also know 2 under 2 will be a challenge (my girl will be 18 months when this baby is due) and wondered if anyone had a similar age gap/pregnancies close together that could settle my nerves a bit?

Thanks 😃

I had 2 under 2. Are now 8 and 9. Won't lie - it's challenging. And they don't even get on especially now! But you kind of get the sleepless nights and the nappies out or the way in one go. I was worried but it wasn't as bad as I envisaged. Good luck ❤️

Thanks everyone - nice to see it’s actually quite common. I keep worrying about people judging me but really I guess it doesn’t matter and I’m not sure why they even would!

Great to see loads of survival stories! 😂

There is 17 months between my two. I had c-sections with both and everything was just fine. The first few years was full on but fun. They are 6 and 7 now. With hindsight the age gap was unexpected but perfect for us.

Congratulations!

I had postpartum preeclampsia and now just found out that I’m pregnant with baby number 2. My first is only 8 months old. How is your pregnancy going so far? Are you a high risk pregnancy?

I am classed as high risk as I had a c section previously. They said they’d be keeping an extra eye on me but to be honest I’ve been seen a lot less than before. I had issues with my first - placental abruption and an emergency section so a bit nervous for the final few weeks but other than the challenge of looking after a 16 month old and being heavily pregnant it’s been okay!

This will be me I fell pregnant when my little one was 9 months and had emergency c sec for placenta abruption! I'm nervous as to how I'll manage both after a c section and also how I'll navigate a lively 18 month old when heavily pregnant! How have you found it?? X

I’m going to try for a vbac this time! I have a scan scheduled for 38 weeks and if all looks good they’ll let me try but they just monitor very closely at the time apparently and the threshold for calling it a day if it’s taking a while is lower. I also won’t be allowed to go beyond 41 weeks. I’m the same the thought of a c section recovery with a 17 month old just isn’t doable haha.
I can’t lie it’s been rough at times - getting up and down the stairs trying to carry a toddler is really tough and all the little things you don’t really think of. I just keep thinking how great it’ll be a year or two down the line! We’ll probably surprise ourselves and manage absolutely fine! 😃 x

Hey OP @Cl9 How are things with you?

I found out I was pregnant around that same time. My little boy was 18 months when I have birth to my other little one.

They are now 2 and 8months old. Some days are hard but honestly it is all so rewarding seeing the little bond growing as the days go by.

I had a forceps delivery with my first with a serious tear and I went for another vaginal birth and all went well. Our bodies can do amazing things!

Hope you have a lovely pregnancy , and congratulations on your wonderful news !

Hello! All good here - 39 weeks today and hoping things kick off soon!

Seeing the bond must be amazing! I’m getting a bit nervous about my 17 month old having to share me (and honestly a bit nervous as I can’t imagine loving someone as much as I love her) but I’m sure it’ll all be fine!

I've had mine and it's hard work but basically fine!

You just have to be really organised and have the patience of an actual saint.

It was love at first sight when my toddler met the baby, I couldn't believe it. He was a bit cross with me for awhile but it passed.

@Cl9 Just found your thread as I’ve found out this morning that I’m pregnant and I have an 8 month old DS. How is it going for you?
I am still in shock and trying to process it 😅I also feel enormously guilty for my gorgeous little boy.

I can’t lie it’s rough 😂. I got my vbac in the end but it was via induction and I needed forceps. In recovery it all got chaotic and I had a huge haemorrhage and had to be rushed back to theatre where I lost 4 litres of blood. Also had to have my episiotomy stitches redone as the first person had stitched into my bum 🙃. To top it all off 2 weeks after my son was born I had the worst headache I’ve ever had and it turns out when I had an epidural they punctured too far and I was leaking spinal fluid. All of this has made it all a lot harder and it’s slowly getting better. It’s hard trying to split myself in two sometimes but my daughter is obsessed with her little brother and just wants to kiss him all the time and can’t understand why he won’t high five her 😂

@Cl9 Oh my gosh, it sounds like you’ve had a real tough time of things. Thank you for your honesty and for taking the time to reply- I wish you a speedy recovery and sleepy babies to help you rest! It must be very cute seeing the two of them but I bet it’s a hard juggle!

It’s honestly not awful and I’m confident it’ll get better as time goes on. It’s just hard juggling them both when they’re upset at the same time etc. I think it’s quite a common age gap and people manage 😀 I’m sure you’ll be absolutely grand. The mum guilt is hard too but I bet your eldest will love the new baby - we’ve found a lot of it went over our little girls head because she’s so young. Good luck! Hope pregnancy is going well as well and you’re not feeling too rough!