What would you do if just months after recovering from childbirth, you find out that you’re pregnant again?
Jieying gave birth to her first child, an adorable baby boy, in February 2013. Would you believe us if we told you that now, just 14 months later, she also has a 4-month-old baby girl? Astonishing, isn’t it?
Jieying had just given birth to her baby boy and was enjoying the joys (and anxieties) of being a new mum. Then, just when all the ‘issues’ had been ironed out and she could start relaxing in her new role, she found out she was pregnant again!
Eager to find out how she felt and how this new mum was able to handle it? We spoke to Jieying about her consecutive pregnancies and here’s what she had to say.
How did you react when you found out you were pregnant again after two months of giving birth?
“I had a normal birth with an epidural when delivering my first baby and I was breastfeeding him. I never thought my body would be ready for another baby leave [sic] alone being fertile enough to get pregnant again so soon.
Jieying found out she was pregnant around this time – see how tiny her 1st baby is!
My husband and I were pretty scared at first, wondering how we were going to handle this emotionally and financially, we were just getting used to being first-time parents! But thankfully things are going great so far.”
What was it like being pregnant and having a small baby to take care of?
“At first it was not easy at all! I was a stay-at-home-mum at the time and felt I was getting tired a lot. My second pregnancy was very different to my first pregnancy – I didn’t get so tired when I was pregnant with my first baby.”
Jieying with her adorable little boy. She said being pregnant and also having to carry her little boy was not easy at times.
“I felt I could just sleep all the time and carrying my little boy with my pregnant tummy was difficult at times. There were times I had to carry my boy when I was heavily pregnant and I remember getting cramps in my tummy from all the bending and carrying.
At one point, I even had some bleeding and I rushed to the hospital terrified, (wondering) if everything was ok. I was given some medicine to stabilise my pregnancy, and thankfully everything was fine with my little girl.”
So how did you manage to breastfeed your baby after you found out you were pregnant?
“Although I was enjoying breastfeeding my little one, unfortunately, I had no choice but to stop because my milk supply just stopped!”
Jieying – a yummy mummy. Her pregnant tummy just showing in this picture.
This is a question all our readers would like to know your answer to” How you are managing being a mum to 2 small kids?
“As I work full time now, we hired a helper to help with the kids when I’m not at home. Although it is not as simple as handling 1 baby, I’m thankful that my babies are pretty easygoing and not fussy. My friends also comment on how independent my babies are!”
What is the best thing about having 2 kids who are almost the same age?
“I’m looking forward to them growing up together and attending school together. I’m sure they will be very close. Other than that, the fact that I can register both of them for school together will be convenient too!”
What advice can you offer parents who experience consecutive pregnancies or even parents who are expecting twins?
Jieying’s baby boy’s first birthday. The new little bundle happily sleeps as her big brother cuts his cake.
“Have a lot of patience. Your babies will respond better if you are calmer when handling them. Yes, patience, and loads of love. Shower them with love! Of course, this will come naturally to you when you set eyes on your beautiful babies!”
Pregnant Again: the Risks of Having Consecutive Pregnancies
According to March of Dimes, experts recommend waiting at least 18 months after giving birth before getting pregnant again. This allows the mother’s body to fully recover and replenish the nutrients that were lost during the previous pregnancy.
An earlier conception with a shorter interval could increase the risk of complications, including:
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Nutrient depletion: Pregnancy and breastfeeding can deplete the mother’s stores of nutrients, especially folate, which is essential for the proper development of the fetus. If a woman becomes pregnant before replenishing those stores, it can increase the risk of certain birth defects, such as neural tube defects.
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Preterm labour: Closely spaced pregnancies can increase the risk of preterm labour, which can lead to other complications.
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Low birth weight: Closely spaced pregnancies can also increase the risk of having an infant that is small for their gestational age.
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Higher risk for mothers over 35: Mothers over 35 who conceived six months or less after the birth of a previous child are at higher risk of death and serious illness, according to a study funded in part by the National Institutes of Health.
However, like Jieying, there is still a chance of two healthy pregnancies despite the short interval. It is important to take extra care of yourself and your unborn child. Additionally, it is important to discuss any concerns or questions with your healthcare provider, who can offer guidance and support throughout the pregnancy.
Taking prenatal vitamins, eating a balanced diet, and getting regular exercise are also important steps you can take to promote a healthy pregnancy. Moreover, do not hesitate to ask your husband or other people for help in taking care of your baby if you need to rest.
Like Jieying, do you have any experience with consecutive pregnancies? Tell us your story! We’d love to hear it, and so will many other mums. Just leave a comment in the comments box below!
Here at theAsianparent Singapore, it’s important for us to give information that is correct, significant, and timely. But this doesn’t serve as an alternative for medical advice or medical treatment. theAsianparent Singapore is not responsible for those that would choose to drink medicines based on information from our website. If you have any doubts, we recommend consulting your doctor for clearer information.