Guest Pregnancy Journal
At 12 weeks pregnant, one mum shares her reflections on expecting baby number three — moving through early anxiety, feeling physically stronger, and beginning to feel the excitement of welcoming a new little personality into the family.
Week 12
Baby is the size of a: Plum
How have you been feeling?
A lot better as of late. The symptoms have died down and I’ve managed to put some weight back on. My husband is now getting back into work and that stress has eased too.
I’m finally starting to feel the excitement of having a third baby coming along. I keep wondering what they are going to look like. My first born is a spitting image of me, while my daughter is a spitting image of her dad — pretty scary really, lol!
Being able to manage my anxiety, getting better sleep and eating properly has really improved my moods.
How have your family and friends reacted to baby #3?
My family have been the most supportive ever. There’s been the occasional “we told you guys to wait a bit until the other two were older” from my dad — but that comes from genuine concern because he knows our situation.
So far we’ve only told my immediate family and my husband’s mum, and all have been extremely supportive. I’ve told my closest friend as well. She is my greatest support — that one friend you know you can rant to at 2am and she’ll still be there.
What’s also beautiful is that she is pregnant too, and we’ve had similar experiences. It’s just nice to have someone who truly understands how I’m feeling.
We’ll likely share the news more widely once we find out the baby’s gender. We didn’t keep it a secret with the first two, and I don’t think we will this time either.
What are you most looking forward to?
The first kicks. I can’t wait for that moment.
That feeling is just the most amazing thing ever. In my first two pregnancies, I would take 5–10 minutes every day lying down with my hand on my belly, waiting for movement. It was my pre-birth bonding ritual.
It makes the whole experience feel so surreal and real at the same time.
In terms of becoming a family of five — that thought is actually quite scary. How am I going to cope? The first two are already a handful. How will I split my time? What if I accidentally neglect one of them?
But alongside the fear is excitement. How will they react? What personality will this little one have? That first skin-to-skin contact, the first feed — all of that. I can’t wait.
How will you manage anxiety moving forward?
I’m lucky to have a good support network. As I mentioned, I have a very close friend who has really been there for me.
Knowing I’m not doing this alone makes all the difference.
What will you do differently as a third-time mum?
Be more present.
Eat healthier and take better care of myself. Get to sleep earlier. I have a bad habit of being on my phone all night and I suffer because of it — and that’s 100% my fault.
This time, I want to slow down and soak it up.
What’s making you happiest right now?
Knowing that this baby is healthy and thriving — even though I had the worst first trimester.
It didn’t affect the baby, and that makes me so relieved.
If you could say anything to your baby right now?
I know it didn’t seem like it at first, but mummy loves you so much.
I wouldn’t change anything. You were never a mistake. You’ve already changed my life — and it’s definitely for the best.
Love you, my little butter bean.
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