Women that had babies close together

[Sunshine1440]

I am wanting to hear please from women that had their children really close together. How their close pregnancies went and how their labors were? And the difference they felt comparing first pregnancy to second pregnancy etc? Also what were the pros and cons that you personally experienced?

Thank you, I appreciate it! I want to hear personal experiences please

Also please if the labors were induced or spontaneous?

How far apart would you say is close? X

Out of interest, before disclosing such personal information - why do you want to know this? Thanks.

I had 3 under 3 1/2. Pregnancy’s weren’t much different apart from being sick longer with the third which was a girl after 2 boys. Labours were all completely different. It was very hard work but worth it

Are you American, OP? I think the general experiences of women in the USA with pregnancy and maternity would be quite different

I had two with a 19/20 month difference. I had horrible morning sickness with my second, but nothing at all with my first.

There were obviously massive challenges when they were tiny. My second child didn’t sleep at all, so navigating naps and sleep were tough with a toddler who was waking at 5am every morning. BUT you get through it, and having them close together has been lovely. You never have to think about two different activities based on their ages.

They annoy each other, but are close and I hope they always will be. Never had an sibling rivalry etc.

Mine were 16 months apart. Felt more exhausted during the second pregnancy, not surprisingly. Unfortunately my second birth was a shocker because they hadn't identified he was very large, so it was a tricky birth with shoulder dystocia and he had an Erbs palsy injury that luckily was completely recovered by the time he was two years.

I needed some physio sessions possibly due to them being so close together and not having a sufficient physical recovery period in between.

It was full on but fabulous to have them so close together. Two in nappies, double buggy but also similar ages to entertain. Only one year apart at school. They get on well now as adults. Wonderful times 🥰

I gave birth twice in 12 months. Children are really close. Could share clothes, toys and always had a friend. Second labor was quicker but the pain was still the same as the first.
However, my body never recovered from the second pregnancy, the first one I had no stretch marks and a flat stomach after. With the second I got stretch marks — despite having just been stretched and the dreaded pouch that has never left.
I’ve had two more children since then with big age gaps and my body snapped back to the body that I gained with the second child, which now seems to be the permanent body whether I’m 9st7lb or 11st11lb that lower body pouch never leaves.

Mine were 18 months apart - I wouldn’t recommend it! Looking after a little one when your pregnant is exhausting and then having 2 under 2 was the hardest part of my life. I really struggled and it hindsight probably was pnd. Eldest didn’t sleep well, and then throwing in a newborn was incredibly hard. Now they are friends but fight and bicker often.

Mine are 18 months apart and it’s awful. Honestly awful. When I found out I was pregnant with my second is was great news. My first was an easy baby, easy labour so I real thought I could handle it. As the 2nd pregnancy went on it became clear that my eldest had special needs. Managing a newborn and a very difficult toddler was abysmal. People said it would get easier. I now have an autistic 3 year old and a 2 year old who also has special needs. It’s not easier. Had I waited and known about my eldests needs I wouldn’t have had my 2nd. They both need one to one attention which I cannot provide for them and it’s not fair on them or me.

A lot of it depends on the kids and what they’re like and you never know what you’re going to get. I was blessed with one easy baby at least to start with. Others are lucky with easier toddlers. Some love watching their kids grow up close together. Mine fight like cat and dog. It’s luck.

I had 3 under 3.5. Found my first pregnancy the hardest. Had emergency c section on first and planned sections on the other two. No morning sickness on any of them but was definitely more tired on first pregnancy.

Second child was extremely high needs, didn't sleep day or night for over a year but it didn't put me of having a third. Sometimes I think a bit longer of a gap might have been good but I really enjoyed being pregnant and wanted them close together. When youngest was 8 we seriously considered having a fourth as sometimes I felt like my pregnancies and baby/toddler stage was rushed due to them being so close in age. Glad we didn't as the age gap would have been to much. Kids are 14,16 and 17 now so can't imagine having a 6 year old.

Baby 1 - April 1993
Baby 2 - July 1994
Baby 3 - June 1995
Boy / Girl / Girl
6/7 then 7/1 then 7/6
Episiotomy for 1 then not for 2 or 3
Labours were 26 hrs then 21 then 15
Bonuses - all the hard work was done together - bottles , breast feeding , nappies , toilet training , dummies , etc
Career break until youngest started nursery
They are all very very close , different personalities but very protective and supportive of each other.
Disadvantages - absolute exhaustion
Marriage broke up , possibly unrelated but was a strain financially and practically with me emotionally super invested in babies and not him.
Financially .. had very little and took time to get back up to full time salary again.
Would I do it again ? 100%
Good luck in what ever you choose for your family .

Mine are 11 months apart. 2nd pregnancy was so difficult dealing with a baby also. The pregnancy itself was fine, but had no time to rest etc. The 2nd delivery was very fast and I had a natural birth. It only took 3 hours. However, it was afterwards that was horrific. Having a newborn plus an 11 month old was exhausting. Both children obviously solely reliant on me and of course DH when he wasn't at work. Both totally different needs. I lost myself for a few years. However, as the years went on it was great. Always had each other to play with on holidays, at home etc. Having twins would have been easier imo.

2 kids under 3 years apart. It was fine both labours induced. I.was young fit and healthy. I didnt work which helped

Mine are 14 months apart. It was completely planned and was the best thing I ever did. I ended up having an emergency caesarian with my first son so I elected to have another caesarian with my second son. My eldest didn't start walking until he was 17 months old, so I had a newborn, a 14 month old who was still crawling and I had just had a c-section, so it was slightly trickier than I had planned, but nothing that really phased me. I got them both into a really good sleep routine, so both were sleeping through from about 8-10 weeks old. Benefits of two that close are that their needs were very similar at the same time. Both in nappies was easier that having to go back to that stage at a later date, clothes could be passed down immediately, they played with the same toys, days out were easier as they were a similar age, they played together happily all the time, and they were only 1 school year apart. Being so close meant I could afford to be a stay at home mum for 3 years too. They are 18 and 19 now and still the best of friends. I realise not everyone has it that easy, but from my personal experience, I would recommend having children close together.

I had 2, 2 and under. No major differences just normal variations. Not being able to nap and rest. Just normal expectes things.
1st Spontaneous 39w
2nd Induced 42w

3 children in two years three months. First Labour awful it took forever and loads of stitches. Second Labour couldn’t have ask for more, waters broke but no pain the ten hours later a very severe pain in my back and baby delivered ten minutes later. No stitches at all. The third was very painful as baby was the wrong way round as in backbone presses against mine. I would do it all again in a heartbeat. I have no regrets about having them close together. The are now the best of friends. I won’t deny it was hard work I the first few years.

Mine are 14 months apart. We had fertility treatment with the first and the second came along all by herself. The first pregnancy was difficult at the very end as I had preeclampsia and high blood pressure so was hospitalised and induced at 35 weeks. Second pregnancy was perfect my blood pressure actually sorted itself out when I was pregnant and I had no sickness with either. I went it to labour spontaneously but was slow to progress so ended up with a partial induction, baby number 2 was twice the size of the first (4lb4oz and 8lb3oz) I definitely felt the second one. I recovered well after both pregnancies having had no tears etc. I loved those slow baby days my oldest being premature was small for his age and was an easy going baby/toddler. Plenty of contact naps from both babies were had. I got very lucky in that I got two babies that liked their sleep and slept 12 hours in the night (from around 13 weeks) and at least two hours during the day (mostly at the same time). Was it hectic? Probably but there was no stopping and starting again everything was just a continuation of what I was doing anyway. We had two of everything so that was a challenge space wise at the time. They’re 13 &14 now and very close (the teenage years are so far the absolute hardest in my opinion, but that’s not down to their age gap). I honestly wouldn’t have it any other way. We did all of the baby groups together, swimming lessons etc… I didn’t go back to work until they were well in to primary so we had lots of quality time together. Those baby days will honestly forever be my most treasured times. Yes it was busy and I was on the go a lot but it was all too soon over honestly. They aren’t little for long. I’d do it all again in a heartbeat.

I have 12 month gap. First labour hell. Second was incredibly easy, had the pessary for induction (not the drip) the midwives wouldn’t believe I was in labour saying I wasn’t acting like I was in enough pain. His head was out before they believed me and gave me no pain relief. Even so was pain free compared to my first!!

gained a shit load of weight. Got diabetes.

12 month gap is easier than 18 months. I’m n my opinion. It does depend on how you heal after the labour but a child just walking/starting to walk and a newborn in a sling much much easier to manage than a kadmacazee toddler who moves at speed. I’m a nanny and did a lot of newborn work. I’d say hands down just walking 15/18months - 2.5 ish years is a harder gap than very close.

get your oldest on a nap routine. Get the father to do all washing and cleaning. Batch cook meals before second arrives. Get your hair cut to an easy to manage length before baby arrives. Car seats that clips onto the buggy/travel system is very helpful.

I had my first, then 26 months later the second and then 20 months after the last one. All pregnancies were easy and straightforward so were births. I would say that if i could turn back time I would have left at least two years difference between baby 2 and 3. The last one is sooo active and energetic that it doesn't leave me alone for a minute to be with the eldest two 😂