How to prepare for a second pregnancy

The appearance of the first child in the family is a completely new, unexplored sensation and concern. When the baby becomes old enough, mom and dad begin to think about whether to give him a brother or sister? If you are at the stage of planning a second pregnancy or are already expecting a baby with an older child - this article is for you. In it you can learn how to prepare the body for a second pregnancy, how to set up an older child for the appearance of a baby, and how to have time to relax with a small child.

Medical examination

Before planning the appearance of a second baby in the family, you need to understand that pregnancy and childbirth are the most powerful stress for a woman's body. If the oldest child is not even two years old, it is necessary to be examined by a doctor before pregnancy. It happens that the first pregnancy depletes the woman's body, she can not recover in a short period.

A visit to the gynecologist is especially important if the first pregnancy was difficult, abnormal. Tell your doctor about the course of the pregnancy and the birth itself. If you had a premature birth, placental abruption, or other unusual situations, this requires additional examination. It is necessary to find out the cause of the situation and try to prevent it during the second pregnancy.

As with the first pregnancy, you need to take tests for AIDS, syphilis, TORCH infection, hepatitis. In addition, you need to check for gynecological diseases - pass a smear for sexually transmitted infections. In the presence of chronic diseases, check the condition of your body with a specialist. Women with myopia should be checked by an optometrist. A dentist examination is also needed - it is extremely undesirable to treat teeth later during pregnancy. If necessary, before pregnancy, you need to get all the vaccinations that are appropriate for your age and region.

Preparing the body for pregnancy

If you have been protected by oral contraceptives, you should abandon them three months before planning a pregnancy. This time is needed to normalize the normal working cycle of the egg. During this period, it is better to be protected by barrier methods.

In addition, you need to spend more time outdoors, eat more vegetables and fruits, move actively. Normalize body weight if there are problems with this. Try not to experience negative emotions.

Pregnancy with an older child

When a woman is pregnant for the first time, she gives all her time to herself and her tummy. Eats when he wants, sleeps when he wants, rests when he pleases. With a second pregnancy, this will not work. Now you need to reckon with the interests of the older child. That is why we have compiled a set of rules for you that will help you during your second pregnancy.

1. As you know, you can’t lift weights during pregnancy. This means that you will have to raise the oldest child as little as possible.If he is still small enough, he may ask for pens, be naughty, demand your love and warmth. Show the baby that it is not necessary to raise him to show love. If the baby is naughty, sit on the sofa and put the older child on your lap. It is not necessary to walk around the room with him - simple swaying will be enough. If the child asks for arms outside the house, just squat down and hug the baby. Let him feel his care.
2. Try to organize your home care in such a way as to raise the oldest child as little as possible. Bathe the baby in the evenings when the husband comes home from work and can raise a child. If the baby is more than two years old, discard the highchair - use an adult chair with a cushion on the seat.
3. If the baby is more than one and a half years old, teach him to walk on the potty. When you have a baby, the ability to self-service will be worth its weight in gold. If the baby is already walking on the potty, accustom yourself to the next step - remove and put on your pants yourself, pour the contents of the pot into the toilet, etc.
4. A pregnant mother will often have to go to doctors and antenatal clinics. Think about who the child will stay with at this time. If you have someone to leave the eldest baby with, it's fine. If not, you can use the services of private clinics - there you can get to the right doctor without extra queues.
5. Try to adapt to the schedule of the older child. Accustom him to long walks - for him it is no less useful than for you. Sleep when the baby is sleeping - often pregnant women experience drowsiness and fatigue, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy. By the way, this will allow us to develop biorhythms, which will be subject to the second baby.
6. Do not neglect yourself. Take your time. How often are pregnant women trying to prove to everyone that they are doing everything, and there is no time left for themselves and their tummy. Teach your household that now you are not only a mistress, wife and mother, but also a pregnant woman who also needs attention and care.
7. Many doctors do not recommend combining pregnancy with lactation. If you are still breastfeeding, try to wean him before your second pregnancy.
8. Even during pregnancy, transfer part of the responsibilities for the care of the child to dad. When the baby is born, it will be easier for you that the teeth are now cleaned by the father, not the mother, for the older child.

These simple recommendations will help you ease your pregnancy if you have an older child nearby.

Getting ready for the second baby

If you are expecting a second child, you need to prepare for this "technical basis." First, decide who and where will sleep after the birth of the crumbs. If the oldest child is sleeping with parents, this should be corrected. And do it better in advance when you are still pregnant. If you plan to shift the eldest child to a large bed, and give the crib to the baby, talk with the older child. Tell him that he is already old enough and worthy of a new large bed. And we will give this old little brother, because he will be born very tiny.

In addition, you need to sort out the little things. It is convenient if the second child is born of the same sex. Otherwise, you will need to leave only things of a neutral color. And give the rest to friends. Think about whether you will buy a new stroller - is there a need for this? Before reuse, the old stroller must be carefully inspected, repaired, greased, and washed with fabric inserts.

How to prepare an older child

Relationships between your children are established at an early age. From the very first moment when you tell the older child that he will have a brother or sister, you are laying the foundation for the future communication of the children. Proper serving can nurture a love for a new member of the family in the child’s soul.

1. Tell the child that Lala has settled in her mother’s stomach, she is growing and developing. When she becomes big, the doctor will take Lal from her mother’s stomach and she will live with us. We can all take care of her together, love and protect her. Now you will have someone to play with - together you will be fun and interesting.
2. To bring the child closer to the appearance of the baby in the family, you can go to visit friends who have a little crumb. Set your child up positively - he must wait for the upcoming event with joy.
3. Do not allow statements from relatives that your mother will have a small child, and you are now big. Do not get tired of repeating to the baby that you still love him and will always love, no matter what happens. Yes, now he is senior, but no less beloved and desired.
4. Take your child with you to an ultrasound scan is a great opportunity to meet a brother or sister. Such an event will not be free for the crumbs - it will imbue your warmth and share the joy with you.
5. Let the child treat your brother or sister with something delicious. In this case, you are only an intermediary - the baby receives nutritional vitamins through your mouth.

These recommendations will psychologically prepare your child for the fact that great joy will happen in the family - the appearance of the baby. It is in your power to share this joy with the child.

Most mothers, having become pregnant a second time, sometimes think, how will I love my second child if my whole heart is occupied first? They are afraid to deprive the older or younger baby of attention. If you are expecting a second child - no need to doubt and despair. Remember, you give the oldest child the most expensive gift - a blood relative, the best friend. Now he is not alone in this world, now there are two of your children. What could be better, how to watch that your child is not playing with someone else, but with his brother or sister? And do not worry about the amount of love. With the advent of the second child, you do not have to divide love in two. Your heart will grow so much that love will only multiply.

Video: second child - parental mistakes that should not be repeated