does anyone really struggle with first trimester adn toddler?

[roseability]

This is a much wanted second DC and I am 8 weeks

However I am shattered, constantly nauseous and my toddler is playing up something rotten

I am finding it hard to feel positive about this pregnancy right now and even harder to cope with my DS. I know I am not being as patient with him and this might be why he is playing up.

Please tell me it gets easier and I can begin to enjoy this pregnancy and look forward to the new arrival

I have had other stressors e.g. I do night shifts (hell when you're pregnant), DS is just getting over a cold and I had some stress early in the pregnancy with bleeding and early scans

bump

You poor thing, it's a really hard stage. How old is your toddler? Do you have any childcare?

I muddled through with ceebeebies, videos and trying to set up games that would occupy my toddlers for ages even though it meant lots of clearing up - ie building dens with blankets and chairs.

Does he like drawing? I found sitting at the kitchen table helping my girls do pictures etc meant at least I could sit down quietly!

And tea and cake helped me too! You need the energy!

thanks hatty! He is 2.7 and full of beans at he moment. He is adorable but very stubborn (gets it from me!)

I do have support from DH and ILs but I am still finding it tough. When I did the pregnancy test I was so excited. Now I can't think about babies, just want to feel 'normal' again i.e. enjoy food and be able to stay up past 8pm at night!

I am 13 weeks now and it is a lot better - I think the 8 week stage is the hardest, but my boy is 17 months and not a walker yet, so probably not so tricky!

Good luck

Not long until the second trimester - I did feel better at 14ish weeks but I think the tiredness is greater second time around - oh for the days of first time pregnancy when you could just nap all weekend!

Try and get as much sleep as possible, boring as it is to get to bed at 8pm every night.

I also relaxed a little on health eating and just ate what I felt like. Still managed some fruit and veg and am making up for the unhealthy diet now (at 33 weeks) but if I felt like Wotsits and lemonade at 8 weeks I had it!

I'm 11 weeks and struggling with DD (3).

And I have a cold today.

I found it really hard and also DS' behaviour was infinitely worse than usual, probably because he picked up that I wasn't feeling well.

I got through it with lots of Cbeebies and DVDs, mostly! It is really hard, but it does end and then you'll be amazed at how much better you feel and how much better behaved your DS is.

take every opportunity to lie down and don't be afraid to explain to your DS that Mummy isn't feeling well, but she'll be better soon, she just needs to have ten minutes on the sofa. They can be surprisingly considerate if it's explained to them clearly.

hope you feel better soon!

Yes, thank God for TV.

funny that but wotsits and lemonade have been favourites here!

In fact I have demanded my DH bring home chips for my tea tonight. I am on n/shift and have to have them! Even though there is a healthy homemade lasagne in the fridge!

CoteDazur - you poor thing. I have been feeling shivery in the evenings. GP thinks it might be urine infection so awaiting test results. It is soooo tough being pregnant and dealing with a Lo.

thanks WhatFreshHellIsThis (great name)

Your messages are reassuring! I was never one who 'loved' being pregnant and bloomed. With DS I had SPD and never bloomed, just ballooned!

DD loves stickers so I have spent a small fortune on sticker books. Thankfully her attention span is a bit longer than a few months ago. I really am so happy not to be working for these 8 weeks - they aren't easy ones. I hope it is starting to get easier for you.

Oh God, it was hellish. I can barely recall the first 4 months of this pregnancy (am now approaching 37 weeks ). It passed in a blur of me retching, vomiting and lying on the sofa groaning while DS watched CBeebies on repeat and ate lots of toast and apples . Needs must. It's a phase that will pass, so do what you have to do to get through it. And if there is anyone who can remotely help you out in any way - call in your favours now!

I agree - get as much help as you possibly can and don't feel guilty for leaving DS for a few hours with a relative or trusted friend. I had to resort to extra days at the nursery for my DS (cost a fortune) and DH doing most of the housework, cooking and childcare at the weekends.

I am happy to report that at 16 weeks, I FINALLY feel normal again. I have as much energy as I did pre-pregnancy which I couldn't ever imagine happening in my darkest moments. It's a really tough time and you have my utmost sympathies. I am a complete wimp with feeling sick so I was in pieces for weeks on end but it does honestly get better and your life will get back to normal (for a short while at least!)

it will get better......i loath being pregnant. first trimester is rotten and you wonder how the human race has re populated itself. 22wks preg. with dc3 and from the moment of conception until the little darling is out i feel awful. i managed to coincide falling pregnant with the start of the summer holidays ( so no pre school) and had to cope with 4yr old and at the time 16mth old on my own and it was tough....it will get better!! and of course they are really worth it

i agree, it does get easier (famous last words, what am i saying...)
am now 14 weeks, dc is 16 months, and the first trimester was really hard (mainly because of the tiredness and having a really stressful work schedule, even though i work from home) but it did get easier as the weeks passed.
does your lo have a nap during the day? my dc sleeps at lunchtime (which has given me the chance to do the same) which has been a god-send.
and yes: stickers, colouring pens, fruit cocktail, a plastic tub with some bubble bath in it, tv, books and anyone - everyone - who can pitch in to help - will prove invaluable in terms of distractions.
also i found getting out and about with dc rather than staying in the house made the time pass quicker if nothing else (even if i really didn't feel like going out).
you're two-thirds through the first trimester - not long to go...
it will get easier!
x

you'll feel better in a few weeks...i hated weeks 8-14 or so, felt so grim
even the backache and sore legs i have now at 21 weeks is preferable to that!

hang in there....