2nd pregnancy?

weezie825

Did anyone have a normal (uncomplicated) pregnancy after having a high risk first pregnancy? 

DH and I are currently trying to figure out if we want to try for #2 or is we are "one-and-done."  DH says he is fine with whatever I decide to do...  This is difficult because we always planned on having 2 or 3 children and we still want more kids.  But, I am very fearful that I'll have issues again.

My doctor says that we'll watch any future pregnancy very closely.  I'll get U/S every 2 weeks and if there are any preterm cervical changes they'll admit me to high risk OB.  The idea of having to live in the hospital for 6 - 8 weeks really scares me.

I'm struggling to balance my desire and my fear.  So far I don't know which will win.

mrs. remy

Not personally although I have known a couple of people who have had very rough first pregnancies and their second one was a breeze. The good thing, if you decide to do it again, is that they will keep an eye on you and will be proactive if any issues arise.

I have a friend of our family who said something that kind of stuck with me....most people won't regret the kids you have, but you may always regret the kids you don't have. I know she wanted more than one child but they held off since her DH was chasing some business opportunity which never materialized. Anyway...sorry for the tangent. Good luck with everything!

jcsntms06

I've been thinking about a second baby a lot lately. And basically I have the same fears as you. DH is obviously okay with whatever I want to do. I have these feelings like I want to try again. My doctor basically told me that she would watch me like a hawk, a lot more U/S, bi-weekly appointments. 

I obviously don't want to experience the NICU again like we did with A. I'm nervous about leaving her alone if I needed hospital bed rest, etc. 

You may want to post this question on the preemie board. I've seen some ladies who have been high risk in their first pregnancy, but not in their second. It gives me more hope that the second time around, things can be different. 

idonthavethis

I developed preeclampsia towards the end of my pregnancy with my first and gained a ton of water weight. I had to be given some sort of medication during labor (can't think of the name) that prevented seizures because of it.  I did not have that with my second which was great.

Like you mentioned, when something like that happens with your first, your doctor will monitor you more closely so hopefully it won't happen again.

I am prone to blood clots (had one 2 weeks after I delivered my son and got one 12 weeks pregnant with my daughter) so the doctor told me that as soon as I got my next BFP, I would go right on blood thinners. He was going to put me on them when I got pregnant with Ava, it just didn't happen fast enough. 

Obviously what I went through is nothing compared to your NICU experience but I do think a lot of pregnancies are different.

FieryIrishAngel

I haven't had experience with it myself, but when I was pregnant with Mia, someone I knew from online was pregnant with her first and was diagnosed with a weakened cervix and had to have a stitch put in.  She was on bedrest for the bulk of her pregnancy.  She carried to term and her son was born without issue.

A couple of years later, she got pregnant a second time and had an absolutely complication-free pregnancy.

My complications when pregnant with Mia were minor compared to what others went through, but I've already seen my doctor to discuss how my second pregnancy may go.  She's encouraging and hopeful and says that we'll do everything we can just like we did the first time.  I'm terrified by the thought of ending up on bedrest again, but as mrsremy said in her post "most people won't regret the kids you have, but you may always regret the kids you don't have".  I've been telling DH for a year or more that I'll never regret having another child, but I'll likely regret *not* have one, so it's something I'm willing to try for.

 

lauranne

While my firsts pregnancy was not as complicated as some others, it wasn't easy.  Aiden was born at 34.5 weeks due to undetected placenta previa.  Prior to that I was having breathing issues which turned out to be pneumonia.  I had even more complications after my c/s.

I've been a nervous wreck this pregnancy for various reasons.  However, this pregnancy has been SO easy.  I feel good, and so far none of the complication that myself and Aiden had are present.