Back to Back Pregnancy Questions

I had horrible pain with my second, and the doctor said it was because your body needs at least a year to recover between pregnancy, any thing less and your already weak ligaments and muscles will have even more strain. when my bellie first expanded the second time it hurt so bad for about 2 months a light touch would make me cringe! But now I have 2 beautiful boys who are close together in age and are best friends ---so worth the extra discomfort!

Hi B., I have two sons and got pregnant with the second when the first was only 6 months old (and I was still breastfeeding). It had taken a couple of years and 2 miscarriages to have the first, so I figured I would not use birth control and just be happy if/when it happened again. My doctor told me if my body was able to get pregnant again then it was "ready" and healthy for the baby, just be sure to take your vitamins and eat heathy and (ha ha) get enough rest. I had a lot of aches and pains, lower back especially, but wasn't sure if it was because I gained so much weight with each one (60 lbs with first, then lost about 50, then gained 50 back with 2nd). Just a lot of extra weight to be carrying around and hard on the body! I don't have any magic advice for you, just try to enjoy the good parts of being pregnant, and know the bad parts will end as soon as you deliver (or they did for me anyhow). Also, the first year or so will be very difficult - not bad, just exhausting. Once the youngest starts crawling and walking and is able to play with the older ones life gets much easier. Good luck, and try to enjoy every day because they grow up so fast!

Hi B.!
Well, my first two are two years apart and my second and third are 15 months apart. I felt like I was pregnant for about 4 years there! Crazy...Anyhoo, I had ligament pain with all three. One thing that you may want to be aware of (or have your husband and family keep an eye on you) is post pardum depression. I spiraled down, down, down after my third. I think that the back to back pregnancies just took alot out of me. Too much for me. I ended up going on antidepressants for a few months and spiraled back up, up and up. So, just something to watch for afterword. It can and does happen to many women. Things are great now. In fact, I often recommend women having their babies close in age now. I love it! Enjoy the rest of your pregnancy and of course, your new addition.
A.

Congratulations! My last 2 were 13 1/2 months apart, so it was a bit of a surprise to us as well. The only thing I noticed was being more tired, most likely cuz I was taking care of a baby and chasing a 4 yr old. Actually now that I think about it, I was more uncomfortable sleeping (or trying to) during my last pregnancy. I think the body pillow that was suggested is a great idea. I was worried because it would be a back to back c-section, but it went just as smoothly as the first two.

I had a lot of problems with ligaments - and I think it was because I was in my 40's when I had my last two. There are these bands you can get to support the back and the tummy, so there will no longer be ligament pain. thank God for those, it helped a LOT.

This is NORMAL! AS you can imagine if you hold a pumpkin in your arms for 10 min then 20, then 30, and so on, your arms get tired and achy. This is what your body is doing from the pregnancy.
You might want to find a "body" pillow to sleep with in between your legs, and support your tummy, and so on.
I remember my 3rd. It felt like his head was resting on my pubic bone.
When I got to number 3, 4, and so on they would say... We don't normally see moms have this many babies, so we really don't know what is "normal".
Congrats on the baby!
B.
www.SouthSoundDoula.com

Time--take time to love every one and yourself, tell them and tell yourself. This is something that you can do, this is something that is hard, this is something that is rewarding, and in about 3 years will not seem so hard. My kids were two years (minus 2 weeks) apart and I did it.

The first 2 years were hard, no sleep and lots of diapers, if one got sick so did the other, etc. and then dad got sick once. He got it for 3 weeks! But with help from your husband you will make it. Give time for everything.

Good luck and blessings.

B.
Congratulations!! I know it's a little overwhelming at first... but your body is amazing and can handle this! I think chiropractic care is a GREAT idea! Make sure you see a chiro who is specifically trained in pregnancy otherwise the chiro can do damage. {Email me if you want a referral to a great, trained chiropractor in Olympia whom I used during my own pregnancy!} The other thing i would mention besides eating as healthfully as you possibly can is to try and do some kind of prenatal yoga class... either take a class locally or get a DVD prenatal yoga class to do in the comfort of your own home. I have two babies that are 13 months apart and all the rest of my 6 children are 20 months apart each. Yoga has been a GREAT way to keep myself fit and toned and keep my body in shape without making me run a marathon or tire me out in the process! It's a great way to prepare for labor and helps with the postpartum recovery as well! Don't forget to do your kegels too!
Most important of all is to listen to your body...eat when you're hungry, rest when you're tired, and exercise for energy.
Good luck with this pregnancy and birth!

With love,
S.
www.empoweredbirthing.net
Chidlbirth Educator, Doula
Mama to 6 great kids! :}

Hi B.! My kids are 17 months apart. Your body is just not back to it's normal self when the lil' pumpkin showed up. I was not told to do anything differently than with my first pregnancy. It will be hard not to carry the little ones, but try not to when you start to get bigger. The hips and joints really take a beating. I did chiropractic after my 2nd was born, but it might be smart to start sooner. Take care. - H.

I had my first two 16 months apart. This one will be 30 months from the last. However I am still feeling more pains and a tougher experience. My midwives have said this is pretty much normal for a third pregnancy, the body is a bit more accustomed to the experience. For the ligament pain, I definitely suggest looking into stretches and a chiropractor. They can do wonders. Good Luck and Congratulations!