Unsure about having number 2

[Willow]

My two munchkins are not quite 3 years apart and i will admit, I have found it harder the second time around. Although this is probably due to issues prior to DS's birth, IVF etc.

My pregnancy was much harder this time too - I was more tired and generally had more aches and pains, ms was worse etc.

I found it really hard the first few weeks balancing the two and felt quite guilty about DD missing out on so much of my time for quite a while.

The other thing you need to consider is how much time a newborn takes up, particularly if they are unsettled like DS was in the first few weeks. It was HARD work and I felt like I didn't get any time with DD. For you it would be harder because Rochelle would still be quite young and would need a lot more of your time than my DD did at almost 3 yrs.

Things are much easier now but he still wakes regularly during the night (and I don't have a problem with this, babies are supposed to wake to be fed) so I think you need to be prepared for the fact that most babies do wake overnight for quite a while and you are very fortunate that Rochelle is sleeping through at such an early age.

But at the end of the day, I wouldn't have it any other way and would definitely NOT want a bigger gap than we have (we wanted our children to be closer in age but life had other plans for us ).

[~Trish~]

Hi Catherine!

How exciting that you're thinking of number two! Who could blame you after having such a wonderful bub like Rochelle! As you know I have a three year age gap between my boys, this was my choice as it took me a long time to feel ready physically and emotionally to have another bub (not Joel's fault, he was a great bub who slept really well at night too). I found pregnancy the second time around not nearly as bad as I thought it would be with a toddler, I'm not sure how it would be with a baby though. I had less m/s, but I did feel tired more than the first time.

Like you said, it is such a short time of your life and it is so worthwhile. Do you have someone who can help you if you end up really sick again? I think that would make all the difference for you.

Good luck!