I am about 6 months pregnant with my second(a girl). We currently have a 15 mo old boy. My Dr hasn't said anything but a friend of my Mom's who is a doula and midwife, advised me to be careful because when you have pregnancies close together,your stomach is weak and complications can happen. She said I shouldn't be as active as I was with my 1st pregnancy. She said I should avoid excercise( i powerwalk 3 times a week) and going up and down stairs(i live in a 2 story). I also take care of my 15 mo old,chasing him around the house and lifting and carrying him throughout the day. She mentioned something about the stomach dropping too early which could cause me to lose the baby??? Is this true??? My Dr has not mentioned anything to me of this sort so I just wanted some opinions. Thanks!
Mine two are 14 months apart and I had them while in my 40s! Since I had problems carrying to term, my doc advised me to get pregnant fast....I had no problems from that and did not change my activity (I was running my own remodeling business at the time).........good luck!
Hey Alex, just check out this link: ACOG Education Pamphlet AP119 -- Exercise During Pregnancy (You might have to cut and paste) - anyway, I thought instead of explaining a lot of info to you, you can read it from ACOG - American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists - you should be good to go here. Always check with your doctor as well! - MC, Owner/Instructor Stroller Strides in Wylie
I had my son when my daughter was 16 months old, and I had a better, easier pregnancy with him. I never heard anything like that from my doctor or anyone else either. I would check with your doctor before becoming worried. After all that is what God designed our bodies for!
My two are right under 14 months apart and I was never told that. My second was three weeks early, but my first was two, so I am not sure that had anything to do with it either. I would take care of yourself and if you feel tired or like you are over doing; slow down. I babysat toddlers when I was pregnant the second time, and went up and down my 15 stairs about 15 times a day or more. I did not have problems either time. Enjoy this pregnancy and trust your body to tell you....make sure you listen though.
My kids are 17 months apart and I was more active my second pregnancy than my first. I had no problems and me and the baby were both healthy after delivery. You should continue to go on with your everyday routine. But, it would not hurt to talk it over with you obgyn if you still have concerns.
My two are 18 mths apart, and I never had a problem! The only thing my dr said was that when I am picking up my son (when I was pregnant) to make sure I was bending at the knees and not the waist. But that is for back strain, and everyone should bend at the knees!
My 2 are 15 mo apart. My doc didn't say anything about those kinds of complications but I gotta say...go easy! I did walk away the pounds while preg with my first but I couldn't with my second...chasing my second around all day was too much on my body already. I had terrible aches and pains because I was lifting my 25lb child too much. I hurt my hip so bad (I could barely walk) that family had to come help me and luckily hubby could work from home for a couple of weeks while I recuperated. Go easy for your own sake if nothing else.
-T.
WAHM w/ 2 under 2
I had my second boy when my first was 10 months old. In the beginning of my pregnancy I was very concerned because they were so close together, but my Dr assured me that having them so close together would not cause any complications or health issues. The only thing I can remember being warned about was how I was lifting my little one, to make sure I was bending my knees, not my back. It was actually the easiest pregnancy and delivery I've had.
C.
Well, it's not like you have anything else to worry about! This person did not go to school for 8 years like your Dr did, If your body is use to walking, running after a 15 month old and such then your body can still handle that activity. Just don't run a marathon. I can see her telling you this if you were doing something new but moderation is the key word. Just listen to what your body is telling you and you will be fine. I wish you the best of luck and hope you are able to catch up on some rest before the new arrival gets here. By the way, congratulations!
My mom had four children in the space of 3 1/2 years, so she was constantly pregnant during that time (none are twins--all four in a row). The only one she had a *little* bit of trouble with was the 4th, because her uterus was not as "tight" as it could have been. The only problem was that the birth was stop and go, stop and go. But they just gave her pitosin and she was fine after that. I'd ask the dr. if there are any concerns before worrying too much about it.
As a midwife myself, I would never advise a client not to walk and maintain healthy level of fitness. It's incredibly beneficial for you and your pregnancy! I do highly recommend faithfully doing kegel exercises to build and maintain support in your pelvic floor muscles! A healthy and nutritious diet and staying very well hydrated are also crucial for you to stay healthy as you're growing one baby and chasing after another. Certainly pay attention to your body, and if you begin to have any signs of premature labor, let your doctor or midwife know right away!
I got pregnant with son when my daughter was 8 months old. They are 16 months apart and I did not have any complications. My doctor never told me anything like that. I think the pregnancy was a little harder because I had morning sickness the second time around and I was running after my daughter all day long. Other than just being a little more tired everything was fine. My first OBGYN I went to did tell me to stop breastfeeding, but I changed doctors and the new one said it was fine so I nursed though my first trimester. I walked as much as possible and exercised, but she did tell me to keep my heartrate under 145 or 150 (can't remember). I would just sit down at your next visit and voice your concerns to your doctor. I also had a lot of pulling and felt like streching pains, but I think you just feel more the second time around. Congrats on your pregnancy!
Hi Alex,
I had my second baby when my first was 18 months old. I didn't get any warnings like that either. I would think staying fit would be important. I did hear that you should take care to get all the nutrients you can, since your body may still be depleted from the first pregnancy.
Good luck and congratulations! C.
Hi Alex,
I have two boys, 2yr & 9mo. I was pregnant with my second when my first was only 6 months old. I would suggest to ask your doctor of course, about any concerns you may have. I didn't exercise during my pregnancy, or before, but have always read that if you are active before pregnancy to continue during. There are only a few things you're not able to do, aerobics, etc. I had to pick up my 6 month old all the time and I was nursing him also. I nursed him until he was 13mos., I was 7mo. pregnant. I consulted my doctor about any questions I had, and everything turned out well. Just remember to take it easy, and don't over do it!
Hi Alex,
I will say I have a lot of experience with this. My first 2 are almost 18 mo apart and my next two will hopefully be 12 months apart (I too am almost 6 mo pg). I can say this time, I am having a lot of issues with those pulling pains I think because someone always wants to be held. My 8 month old requires it and my 29lb 2 yr old really wants mama still. My muscles are definitely weaker, and I've been more tired this time. My doctor says everything's fine though. My first dr though said always avaoid pregnancy until at least a year out from a birth. I guess there are a lot of opinions out there. I find this time I'm not physically able to exercise much though. As long as you're not bleeding or contracting, you're probably ok.
R.
My 2nd turned 1 3 months before I had my third. I had my 2nd when my 1rst was 2 1/2. I did not carry any of them to term. I would not blame that on timing but genetics, My mom had all of us 4-6 weeks early. See what your Dr. has to say about your activity level. If you were in good physical condition before you got pregnant I would not worry to much about it. Yes you may want to try not to carry your 15 month old as much, just because that gets really hard, but I wouldn't worry about loosing your baby.
You're my clone, except I had an additional one at 2 3/4 at the time. No problems with #1 and #2 nor #3. What I will tell you is at the end of #3 it was harder to get back in shape. But the pregnancy was actually the best one I had out of the 3 as far as feeling great and no problems whatsoever.
Enjoy your pregnancy and congratulations.
P.S. I have a friend who has 9 children all 18 months apart and she is doing great too though a little insane, perhaps :-)
I also used a midwife and doula for both of my births. My experience is that they are much more in tune with our bodies and know us better because the spend more time with thein clients. I would listen to her advice. Her primary message is to not overdo it. She is concerned, and that should be considered. It is true that you stomach muscles are weaker this close together, simply from not having time to heal completely from your first birth. I would not panic about the advice, just take it for what it is worth and try to make adjustments in your daily routines towards the advice given.
I understand that your friend's mom was just trying to be helpful and care about you but it is NEVER okay to tell someone, unless you are the person treating them, something as horrible and serious as "you could lose your baby." Being worried and stressed isn't somethings that helps your pregnancy go smoother at all!
We get all kinds of advice anyway but when there is a special circumstance such as yours it seems to increase the amount of advice we get. If you trust your doctor and yourself I bet you will be fine. Take everything else with a grain of salt!
