How long did you wait to get pregnant after previous baby?
seidel1325
Posts: 94 Member
I'm 40 years old and about to have my second child (there is a 17 year old gap between #1 and #2). My husband and I would really like to have one more, but realize we would need to have a "rapid uterine turnaround" (DH's silly quote) considering my age. Can you please share your experiences - both good and bad - with having another so soon?
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I don't have personal experience (currently expecting #2, got pregnant on our second try, just shy of 14 months postpartum), but I do have a friend who had hers quite close together. Her kids are 15 months apart. The downside for her was that she was still getting used to life as a mom when she found out she was pregnant again (#2 was unplanned) and found it to be overwhelming, and she didn't lose the baby weight from #1 and started her second pregnancy quite a bit heavier than her first. I think they also found it quite stressful financially for a while. They had to have two of a few things (ie. crib) because their oldest wasn't finished with hers yet when the second baby came along. The upside is that her kids are quite close and play together very well.
I think a lot of doctors recommend 12 months between pregnancies to give the body a rest, and my friend's doc actually suggested 2 years in between. However, loads of moms have babies close together and make out just fine. I think you need to do what works best for you and your family.0 -
Well this isn't my experience but my mom had my sister at 40yrs old and I was born when she was 42yrs old
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My first two are 22 months apart. I won't lie, it was incredibly hard work in the beginning, but it paid off as they get on so well now.
I've just had my third, right before my first 2 turned 3 and 5.
I think the advantage of say an 18 month age gap would be that the eldest would still have a nap in the day, and would go easily in the stroller without a fight!0 -
My first 2 are almost 5 years apart. I am not pregnant with baby # 3 and got pregnant when # 2 was around 13-14 months. I wasn't where I wanted to be physically (still about 15lbs overweight) but I think a year before getting pregnan is a good amount of time for most. It depends on your personal recovery though if you heal fast sooner might be ok.0
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My first two are 18.5 months apart - got pregnant with #2 when #1 was 8-9 months old. It was planned. Hardest parts were morning sickness and at the end when you feel terrible but your toddler wants to do things! My first I gained 23 lbs and lost it within a week, then I lost 10 more lbs over the months (157 pp #1, 147 pp#2 @ 5'2"/5'3"). It was super hard in the beginning (the newborn thing is never easy!) but got good and fun. So much so we thought, how hard can 3 be? Gained 46 lbs with baby #2 (did NOT want to put down those Birthday cake oreos) but lost it all and 12 more lbs by the time I got pregnant with #3 when #2 was 6-7 months old (135lbs pp #3). I can say this one was MUCH harder. Not only were there 2 toddlers, but my milk supply went to **** when I got pregnant that early (1st I didn't have as much of a problem because he was really starting to pick up solids and I have no clue why else, I just had less milk trouble being pregnant more postpartum). #3 is only 5 weeks old and today is day 1 I've been left alone at home with all of them but it's going ok...
I hemorrhaged after giving birth to #3. The midwife said it was probably due to a fast birth (6cm to birth was super fast-30 mins including pushing after about 10 hours of 2cm-6cm) and a tired uterus from 3 in 3 years (#1 turned 3 3 weeks after #3 was born). She said research shows waiting 12 months to get pregnant can reduce complications - and other studies show 18 months. So possibly my 6 month turnaround just wasn't enough for my body. I would say the 6-7 month range was too soon for my body and myself mentally. We were trying but right after I got pregnant everything got so difficult I wished we had waited longer. The 8-9 month pp went much better in my opinion!
Good Luck!0 -
My first 2 are almost 5 years apart. I am not pregnant with baby # 3 and got pregnant when # 2 was around 13-14 months. I wasn't where I wanted to be physically (still about 15lbs overweight) but I think a year before getting pregnant is a good amount of time for most. It depends on your personal recovery though if you heal fast sooner might be ok.
"now" pregnant with baby #3 :blushing:0 -
I would rather wait a bit longer too if I were you than giving to the age pressure. I just had my 2nd and I am about to turn 42. I had a lovely pregnancy, not any more difficult than my first one 4 years ago. healing properly is v important for having a good experience and a good delivery0
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Thanks for sharing all. I appreciate the different perspectives and considerations I had not thought of.0
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My kids are all between 15 months and 5 years apart. I prefer closer together, and I feel a little sad that my youngest won't have any siblings close to her age. (That does NOT mean we will be having a ninth! :P )
My step-kids are 10 months and 1 day apart. NOT on purpose. They are very close, and it's kind of a neat novelty (for part of the year they are the same age!), but it was very physically difficult for their mom, especially since she already has difficult pregnancies. I'm glad I didn't have to do it! (I always say I had those two the easy way, with a white dress and catering.)0 -
My children are 8 years apart but I appreciate being able to read all the different opinions here. I am debating having one more immediately following my current baby and then being done having kids.... Or maybe waiting 8 years again, lol
Haven't decided.0
