Considering 2 Under 2.......

GideonsMommy · July 2012

This is my first bump question!

Our first baby is 7 weeks old now. My husband and I want a big family, 4-6 or more kids depending on how everything goes. At my 6 week postpartum appt my midwife said we were good to keep on rolling and have another kid right away if we wanted. I was under the impression we would have to wait at least 6 months and that even would be pushing it. But, now that we have the supposed go ahead we are really considering just going ahead without contraception and letting it happen when it happens!

I guess in the back of my mind I am worried about the "danger" (real or imagined) of being pregnant again right off the bat, if I got pregnant in the next month or so. Because I was sure we would have to wait, I sort of doubt what the midwife said and that scares me.

So my question is, what are some considerations (medical-wise, health-wise, safety-wise) to being pregnant again so soon? What kind of risks could I be taking? Don't get me wrong, I am not expecting medical advice, just trying to learn what other ladies have experienced or heard from their midwives/OBs about the risks involved.

Just a note about this pregnancy - I was not high risk, but had premature rupture of membranes at 35 wk 6 days. Baby was born big and healthy, vaginal birth, 6lb 11oz. I was slightly anemic and slightly low thyroid during the pregnancy. Does any of this contribute to any risk having a second baby very soon after?

Thanks : ) I am secretly hoping to hear it's a good idea to just have another right now!

kcisthebombdotcom · July 2012

The greatest risks of having pregnancies close together are miscarriage, low birth weight and premature birth. If you already had a preemie, you're already at higher risk to have another one so it might not be a good idea to have another pregnancy immediately after. If you were vitamin deficient during your first pregnancy, it's likely a second one would make that condition even worse which could contribute to m/c risk/low birth weight. However, you don't have to wait a crazy amount of time or anything between pregnancies--as long as there's 18 months between deliveries you can minimize those risks.

MammaBear81 · July 2012

KC_13:
The greatest risks of having pregnancies close together are miscarriage, low birth weight and premature birth. If you already had a preemie, you're already at higher risk to have another one so it might not be a good idea to have another pregnancy immediately after. If you were vitamin deficient during your first pregnancy, it's likely a second one would make that condition even worse which could contribute to m/c risk/low birth weight. However, you don't have to wait a crazy amount of time or anything between pregnancies--as long as there's 18 months between deliveries you can minimize those risks.

I agree with all of this, I had normal, full term vaginal deliveries, and I felt that my body was in no shape to carry another baby until LO was about 9 months old (making the kids about 18 months apart). There are a few moms here with 2 under 1, maybe they can give some first hand insight, but I personally wouldn't do it so soon.

Vitnicki83 · July 2012

I can only speak from my own experience and this by no means has any medical value to it. I have 2 under 1(just barely, 9 days shy of exactly a year) and am currently expecting again. My middle and my youngest will also be just a year apart( all three were due/born in Nov.). My first pregnancy I had no complications and delivered early at 37wk1d. Our second pregnancy was a surprise (not planned but not prevented) and he was delivered at 37wk 3d. I did however go into preterm labor at 34wks with my second, was put on bedrest, and every week until he was finally delivered I was in L&D for preterm labor that they were able to slow/control/stop with meds.

Let me say though that both of my boys were born very healthy with no medical issues due to their gestational age.

This pregnancy was again a surprise (but again a very welcome one). So far, I have not had any issues with the pregnancy and everything seems to be going well and the baby is growing fine. Because of my two previous early-full term deliveries, I plan on having a conversation about the risks of going into labor preterm again.

My H and I have always wanted a bigger family, and we are so happy to be blessed with the beautiful, healthy children that we have. We are both very aware that after this baby is born we need to take a little time off to give my body a chance to take care of itself before having anymore.

I don't know if any of this will answer any of your questions, or help you, but I felt that I should tell you about my experience.

BrittKav · July 2012

After having DD1, I was given no advice by my OB on when I could try again. I got pregnant when DD was 5 months old and had a healthy, uneventful pregnancy and delivery.

In the hospital after giving birth to DD2, the OB on call (not my OB- this one had never seen me before) told me to wait 18 months before another pregnancy. I don't know what he was basing this on, and I didn't follow his advice exactly. We started TTC when DD2 was 12 months old and got pregnant when she was 15 months. That pregnancy did end in a missed miscarriage, but it wasn't because my body wasn't ready to sustain it- the miscarriage was almost definitely due to a chromosomal issue (according my OB).

We plan to have 4 kids and we want #3 and #4 to be close in age like my first two are.

landosmommy · July 2012

At my 6 week PP check-up with DS my OB also gave us the all clear to try right away. And we did. Well, it still took us 6 months to get PG, but it ended in a CP. then 3 months later we got PG again & here we are.

Not sure if this helps you at all, but just wanted to give you my experience.

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