Joanne shares her pregnancy journey with baby number two. Her little girls will be 11 months apart when she gives birth via planned c-section. Read on to hear how she has been feeling this time round and how they are preparing for their next little bundle of joy.
Guest Pregnancy Journal: 34 Weeks Pregnant – 11 Months Apart
I have a 10-month-old baby girl, so she was only three months old when I found out I was pregnant again. I ended up having an emergency c-section with my little girl Cartier, so the hospital has recommended another c-section this time as it is so close to the last birth. I have a c-section booked in four weeks’ time. We will have two little girls 11 months apart.
Baby is the size of a: Pineapple
I have been feeling: Generally fine this pregnancy, but I am finding it hard looking after a crawling baby in these final weeks. This pregnancy has been smoother than my first. With Cartier I had high blood pressure towards the end and was in and out of hospital for monitoring and was very swollen, on the verge of pre-eclampsia. My midwife prescribed me aspirin daily this pregnancy and so far my blood pressure has been fine and I am not swollen yet.
I am most looking forward to: Watching two girls grow up close together, although I know it will be hard work. My sister-in-law has the same age gap, so I have seen what it can look like. This baby’s movements are more frequent and stronger than my first. With Cartier I sometimes worried I could not feel her, but not with this baby. I am hoping this baby won’t be the fussy one as Cartier was fairly good and friends keep telling me not to expect them to be the same.
My favourite part about being pregnant: Feeling the baby move inside you. Other than that, I cannot wait for her to come out.
I feel most loved and valued by my partner when: He shows up as a dad. Cartier is definitely a daddy’s girl and once he is home from work she doesn’t want him out of her sight. He always checks on her before work and gives her a bottle if she is awake so I can sleep. He is very busy in his family business, so juggling work and life can be hard, but I am grateful for how much he loves his girls and provides for us. Before Cartier he wanted a boy, but now he says being a girl dad is the best. Apparently he still wants a boy one day though. We both grew up in big families, so we are not strangers to babies and chaos.
If I could say anything to my baby right now it would be: You have no idea what you are in for. I feel guilty having another baby so close together and don’t want your sister to feel neglected or jealous. I have heard from friends with similar age gaps that they are often too young to really notice, but I still worry. I just want to love you both equally and well.
Something I need to get done: Pack hospital bags. I have started filling another wardrobe and drawers with things for the next baby. I need to clean the baby car seat, set up the pram for day sleeps downstairs, and wash the sheets for the new bassinet in our room. I have a double buggy on order. I have to be organised otherwise I will go mad with two little ones. Each baby will have their own bag ready in the car so there is no panicking when we leave the house.
Something I worry about: Contraception after birth. I was reminded after my first c-section that you are meant to give your womb a year’s break. I have been advised to consider an IUD at the time of my c-section but I am unsure. I don’t love the idea of hormonal side effects and I struggled with the pill previously. I know we need to make a plan though.
I am not too worried about having another c-section. Cartier was induced due to high blood pressure and the induction lasted four days before ending in an emergency c-section. She was 9lbs. I cannot face another long induction or going overdue with a big baby, so having a booked c-section feels like a relief.
My family in the UK haven’t seen Cartier yet, which adds another layer of guilt bringing another baby into the world before they’ve met the first. Especially for my mum, it is hard not being able to help after birth. I am lucky to have very supportive in-laws nearby.
I struggled with breastfeeding last time and only lasted six weeks. Cartier preferred the bottle once she realised it was faster. I would like to try again this time but will not push it if it is a struggle.
Diet, exercise, sleep, stress: I really want to get fit after this baby. I have always struggled with my weight and it is something I want to properly address once I have recovered.
If after reading this you’d be happy to share your own experience of pregnancy, please email megan@forgetmenotjournals.com to receive one of these pages, or send a photo of your own pregnancy journal.
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More third trimester reflections:
- 35 Weeks Pregnant – Second Pregnancy
- 35 Weeks Pregnant – Heartburn, Worries & Preparation
- 36 Weeks Pregnant – Second Baby
- 38 Weeks Pregnant – First Time Mum
- 41 Weeks Pregnant – Guest Journal
Document your own journey with the Pregnancy Journal – Made With Love, and continue the story with the Baby Book – Your First Years.