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Our second was a total surprise so I didn't really choose, but DS1 was a super rough pregnancy, high risk, then a failed induction that led to an emergency C-section, NICU stay, and all told we were in the hospital for a whole week during which I didnt get more than an hour sleep at a time. Why? Because he ended up being extremely colicky and had severe reflux. So it was a traumatic first year.

When I found out I was pregnant with DS2 I was so panicked because I just didn't think I could do it again. I had severe PPA/PPD and like PTSD type symptoms and I always say DS1 just broke me as a person. I felt sick with anxiety when I got pregnant again.

But DS2's pregnancy was totally normal, no issues, he made it right on time with my RCS, was a full pound heavier, we went home 2 days later, and he was just a sweet baby. He had some colic and reflux too but it only lasted a little while before we got him medicated and his personality is just so laid back. He's like my make-up baby - like so sweet and wonderful.

Obviously I can guarantee that will happen to you, but all that is to say what happened in one pregnancy won't necessarily happen in another. My boys couldn't be any more different and my pregnancies were so different.

My first pregnancy was really really hard, as was the labor. I was so reluctant to go through that again knowing what I did about pregnancy and labor. I went for it because I wanted a second child, but I was not excited (actually felt kind of sick about it!). My second pregnancy was much easier, and the labor was totally different, so there is that possibility. I had to tell myself it was 1 year of my life that I was sacrificing for something I really wanted long term.

We waffled a lot since my first pregnancy was really hard (there were other reasons too though.) Ultimately, we decided to go for it when our first was just shy of 2 and I'm 31 weeks now. It has been harder in some ways, easier in others. I'm excited to meet this little one but I'm never doing this again. We kind of to the point where we weren't 100% sure but we both had kind of wanted a second but neither of us wanted any bigger of a gap so we needed to go for it or commit to one. We had a miscarriage the first month we tried and then I was all in on a second-until it looked like we lost the second pregnancy. Thankfully, it turned out that everything was fine but had we lost it we would have been done. That part was stressful too, we we're told the pregnancy wasn't viable, went home and as we talked and processed it decided that we were officially done. A week later we went in for a follow up and everything was perfect. We then had to wrap our heads around the fact that we were in fact having a second, it was a really strange thing to grapple with. All in all I'm sure this wasn't terribly helpful but it's how we wound up where we are. To be honest, knowing what I know now I'm not sure I can say I'd make the decision for a second again BUT we also haven't gotten to that fun siblings enjoying each other part yet and I'm banking on that helping.

For me it was both time and a desire to better advocate for myself this time, now that I know more. We started trying again a couple months before DD1 turned 2 and DD2 will likely be born (a little early) in July.

I had a very physically difficult first pregnancy. I was also induced early with #1 due to pre-eclampsia (same >48 hr induction) and ended up exclusively pumping since she was jaundiced and didn't nurse well. Luckily this pregnancy has been MUCH easier so far. I am on modified bed rest now at 31 weeks due to protein in my urine, but that is my only symptom and I was already very swollen at this point with #1, so I'm taking that as a good sign.

I feel a lot better since I'm being monitored pretty closely by MFM with this pregnancy due to my history and have been taking baby aspirin since the beginning (this can help prevent pre-eclampsia reoccurrence or at least delay it).

I know that's not the most glowing example of "everything will be fine" but just knowing what to expect and knowing my resources has helped a lot. Even if this baby is early, I intend to continue working with lactation consultants to get her to nurse since I know it is possible.