Esther and William are IVF babies. When I was pregnant with them doctors advised a belt and braces approach to ensuring the pregnancy worked. I had to take steroids, aspirin, clexane and oral progesterone support. I only drank bottled water and ate mostly organic food. I did everything by the book. I took so many minerals and vitamin supplements. I rested everyday with a relaxation CD. Everything there was to do to make the pregnancy work, I did it. I read every book, every website. I was totally focused on preserving the pregnancy and making my babies healthy at the end of it.
I was only working part time and I had no children so I was able to completely relax. I did not do anything that might put the pregnancy or our babies at risk.
So far with this new pregnancy I have been so much more relaxed.
I’ve drunk some caffeine and eaten mussels in a restaurant. I heave a double buggy round all day and the only supplement that I am taking is folic acid as part of Pregnacare.
Second time around I cannot afford the luxury of long mornings in bed with a book.
Second time around I have my beautiful 15 month old twoddlers to look after and I don’t want them or me to miss a thing. They are at such an exciting stage of their life and development. We have to be out and about every single day to make the most of their time.
I am hoping that because this is a natural pregnancy, I can behave more like a normal mummy to be. That now my body has been through this once it will know more readily what to do.
I hope that a few months down the line I will not be regretting the decisions I have made.
Were things different for you the second time around?
how lovely to hear you are faring better. I had the same thing. First time precious baby, rest and the same meds as you. This time no time for feet up, much less complications (no SPD thank goodness) though I do have to take clexane still 🙁 but it is so much easier this time. good luck ! (I am 23 weeks now and it is flying by… )
My early second pregnancy was actually a lot harder. I felt sick, even tho I wasn’t actually sick unlike first time when I had nothing. I had sporadic bleeding and it was a long wait to 12 weeks. Things improved after that and we had Monkey’s first birthday when I was about 5 months. The end part was harder, because I ended up larger (Missy was nearly 2lbs heavier than her brother) and the summer was so damned hot! Apart from that, I was fairly relaxed both times so there was little difference between the two.
Congratulations btw.
Thank you x I have actually had more pregnancy symptoms this first trimester than last. It is funny how things are different. x x