Pregnant again: 16 month gap

[N12345625]

Hi everyone,
I recently found out I am pregnant with baby number two. My first took years to conceive so didn't expect to conceive so soon. When the baby is born my daughter will only be 16 months.
How am I going to cope?
I have read so much stuff about having a short gap between pregnancies and am so worried about my body being able to cope and the baby being healthy.
I had an emergency c section with my first too after a failed induction which was so hard.

I have a 13 month age gap between mine. The first year was tough trying to juggle things with a new baby and a 1 year old who wasn't even walking yet, many days were just about getting through the day with everyone fed and cleaned, fitting in naps and usually putting them both in the double buggy and getting out for a good walk.

But now, a couple of years down the line, is when I'm really starting to enjoy the smaller age gap, they generally entertain each other, are interested in the same activities and I like the fact that, although it was hard going at the time, all the sleepless nights etc with a newborn are hopefully now out of the way.

I have an 11 month gap (on purpose). It’s much easier than I expected and they are very happy playing together.

I have a 15 month age gap. You will be fine. Just take each day as it comes!

Congratulations!

I have a 16 month gap and whilst it wasn’t easy, I wouldn’t have changed it for the world. My best advice is to research a good double buggy, get them into a similar routine and if you can, get a cleaner!

@agirlcalledjames, I had really wanted an 11 month gap, but we had a family wedding that would have clashed with the due date had the plan panned out, so we left it a bit longer. I would love to know what it must have been like!

I have a 17 month gap and it’s grand. We never left the baby phase when dc2 arrived, so it wasn’t a shock to go back to nappies and broken nights again.

They’re 2.5 and 1 now and they play with the same toys, eat the same foods and enjoy the same story books etc.

OP, I have the same gap between my first two, like you it took ages to get pregnant with the first so falling again so quickly left me in utter shock for a few weeks.

Don't worry about your body coping or whether the baby will be OK. I was worried about this too but the chances are everything will be absolutely fine, it was for me.

As for two so close together, I won't lie to you, it's tough at first. But you get used to it and honestly it's fine. You cope. You get through day to day and after a while it gets better and eventually it's good fun.

The big advantage is that you get the baby stage out of the way quickly and your children will be close. Mine are best friends.

It can't have been too awful because I had another a couple of years later!

Best of luck, whatever you decide you want to do

Thank you so much for your replies. It seems like it is going to be really hard at first, but you are right, it would be amazing to have two so close in age who are into the same toys.
I am guessing coffee will be my best friend for the next few years!!
Hope you are all keeping safe ❤️