Few Quick Questions About Preg. Issues

If it is comfortable for you, you can breastfeed up until the start of the third trimester. (so sayeth my doctors (ob and ped)). I had to stop because of low blood sugar issues, I had gestational diabetes.
I got pregnant with my second when my son was 5 months old, found out at 6 months. I had been having periods while breastfeeding. Didn't happen with the second, but did with the first, I bleed lightly for a couple of months. It looked like a little period. Basically, it sometimes happens when the baby is implanting itself in the uterine wall. Sounds like you are probably 8-10 weeks pregnant. A sonogram and blood work can tell. Congrats!

I had my period while pregnant. It does happen so you should get a sonogram as soon as possible. The sonogram will tell them how many weeks along you actually are and are more accurate the sooner it is taken.

Also, with your second your body looks pregnant earlier, at least in my experience.

Your doctor may tell you to stop breastfeeding now that you are going to have another child. Sweet potatoes are very good for you and the baby. Also a banana a day. Fresh fruits and veggies. All of these things will help you to keep the unborn baby healthy but keep you in shape. If you haven't done it yet buy a stroller and take your baby for a walk every day. This will get you both fresh air and keep you in shape. Make sure you drink plenty of milk. I wouldn't change my diet to much until checking with the doctor. Also, my neice had her period through out most of her pregnancy. Some women just do this. But then again, talk to the doctor. Also I wanted you to know when I had my youngest daughter my roommate in the hospital delivered her baby vaginal after having her first two by c-section. So everyone is different. She laughed and told me if she had it to do over she would have had them all by c-section because labor was the hardest thing she had ever done. Good Luck!

The weight gain/belly is probably not because you are further along than you think - instead, it's probably because you were pregnant so soon after having had the first. I experienced the exact same thing with my current pregnancy after finding when my son was only 4 months old that I was pregnant again! It's simply because your abdominal wall is weak and your body knows what to expect this time around. Overall, my weight gain was less - but I looked pregnant immediately!

As for the csection, it is not only possible to have a VBAC, it is now recommended - my best friend delivered twins, full term, vaginally after an emergency c section just two years earlier.

Finally, as for the doctor if you are in Tampa or the surrounding area - I recommend the Women's Group - they have an office on Amberly Drive and on W. Virginia Ave and deliver at UCH and at St. Joes. When I moved from California with my first pregnancy, I researched the hell out of OBs and this practice is by far the best in the state. The Tampa Palms office number is ###-###-####

Congratulations! I have to agree with you that being a mom is the best job in the world!!

The posts before had great advice, not too much to add to them. But I wanted to emphasize the importance of drinking water! Get as much liquid as you can, mainly water would be good, but 100% juices are fine too, try to stay away from sodas and really sugary stuff. Keeping yourself hydrated is so important because it will help your milk production (which ocassionally some women notice a decline in their milk production, when nursing during pregnancy) and also being hydrated will help give you much needed energy during the days. Again keeping yourself hydrated is so important! You should probably consider up-ing your calorie intake, with healthy calories...increase your protein (protein first thing in the morning will also help any morning sickness), fruits and veggies.
A prenatal excercise program is a great idea. You could take your son out for a walk everyday...or you could purchase a prenatal excercise DVD to do at home...or you could find a prenatal excercise class in your area to go to a few times a week. (BTW- I plan on starting a class like this in the Oldsmar area hopefully soon)
If you're interested in having a VBAC you can send me a message if you have questions. I myself had one with my last baby, and it went great. The first most important thing is finding a doctor who supports you in this.

Again congratulations! Email me if you have any questions, I'd loved to help.

Just wanted to mention something about a C-section; once you've had one, you will never deliver vagianlly again. The reason is because the cut in your uterine wall weakens the muscle and makes you incapable of delivering vaginally correctly or without risk of internally splitting open the previous cut. Even if you think the wound is totally healed, it will never be as strong as it was before it was cut so you will have another C section for your 2nd birth and every one thereafter.
As far as doctors, I am in Ft. Myers and I think my ob/gyn was great. He is part of the Physicians Primary Care group and PPC has ob/gyn offices in leehigh, ft. myers and cape coral.
Also- i have a friend who found out she was preggers then had a period and thought she had a miscarriage. A few days later she went to the emergency room complaining of nausea and stomach pain she thought related to the miscarriage only to find out she did NOT miscarriage but that she is still pregnant- WITH TWINS!! So its totally possible to be pregnant and get your period-
good luck!
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Congratulations! You belly pops out faster with the second one, but at your first ob appt. they can estimate how far along you are by feeling your uterus. The first ultrasound will further clarify that.

If you're still breastfeeding, you just need to be sure to get enough calories (and water) for all 3 of you! You body will take care of the fetus first, then produce milk, then take care of you. You may find that breastfeeding gets increasingly uncomfortable while pregnant. There are great articles about it on the laleche league website (www.lll.org, I think). You can safely continue to breastfeed throughout the pregnancy if that is what you & your son both want.

Some doctors in the area will also consider a VBAC (vaginal birth after caesarian). Talk to your ob about it at your first appt.

Congrats!

Hi K.,

Congratulations! I became pregnant with our second child when my son was 1 year old too. It is totally OK to breastfeed while you are pregnant. Make sure you are still taking your prenatal vitamins, eating healthy and getting enough sleep. The biggest difference I noticed this time around was how extremely tired I was/am. It not only has to do with running after a toddler, but also to do with breastfeeding. So, I take a nap in the morning and one in the afternoon, whenever he sleeps. This makes the day soooo much better!

I'm 20 weeks along now and my son is 16 months old. I can tell he is self weaning and that is totally OK with me. When you are 5 months pregnant, your milk turns back to colostrum, so many toddlers/babies wean at that point. They don't like the taste. I think that's what my little dude is going through. Also, you will experience nipple sensitivity when your little one is nursing. It is totally normal, but you may want to emphasize that they need to open their mouth wide and not bite down on you. Your supply is decreasing already and the little one will turn to do everything to still get the milk. My son would squeeze my breast to try and get more;)

Their is a great breastfeeding support group at Morton Plant Clearwater hospital. The infant group, non walkers, meets the first and third Friday of the month from 10-12pm on the second floor of Sarah Walker Women's Center. There is a big meeting room around the corner from the intake area. The toddler group, for walkers, meets the second Friday of the month from 10 to 12pm. It's free and there are oodles of toys for the kids.

Please feel free to email me with any "breastfeeding while pregnant" questions. Even if your doctor says to stop...there is no medical reason why you should. I know mommies who nurse their babies and toddlers at the same time and everyone is extra healthy. That won't be the route for us, though...I'm not that patient:-)

God bless,

S.

ps. A previous poster said that you can't have a baby vaginally after c-section. That is totally false. The obtion of a VBAC, vaginal birth after c-section, is safe and many doctors are supportive of it. I had a c section after an unnecessary inducement and am now going to have a VBAC with my second. I switched doctors because of the c section experience. I now go to Bay Area Women's Care in Clearwater. They are a fantastic group of doctors. I highly recommend them. VBAC is totally possible for you!

Krista,

Congratulations! You are so very blessed. As fas a vitamins, there are over the counter vitamons that you can get at any drug store, that are designed for pregnant women, however the ones that the Dr. prescribes are the best, so work on getting into the Dr. Since you are still nursing and the over the counter ones are not as strong as the prescription I would ask the pharmacist if you can try taking the over the counter ones twice a day until you get the prescribed ones.

As far as a period, it is not uncommon to have a period and be pregnant, especially with your hormones being up and down from just getting off the pill and still nursing, they both can confuse your hormones. It is also not uncommon to have a false negative, as well as a false positive home test in those situations.

As far as exercise, they say if you were active before being pregnant you should continue to be active while pregnant, it helps ot only with weight gain, but also with labor, your body will progress faster if you have been physically active.

About feeling further a long because your stomach is bigger, those abdomanal muscles have been stretched out from your last baby, and you tend to look larger sooner. Don't worry! Your Dr. will be able to help with how far a long you are when you have your first ultrasound.

I think you become more excited the second time because you now understand more of the blessing that is to come. Congratulations again, and best of luck.

Hi K., I got pregnant when I had an 11 month old and was still breastfeeding. I was 2 months pregnant before I even knew it because I wasn't getting my period. Anyway, my doctor made me stop breastfeeding, because he said it was too much for your body to be pregnant and still breastfeeding. I just thought I would let you know what the doctor will most likely tell you next week at your appointment, so you will be prepared. Congratulations!!

My friend had her period for 5 months while pregnant so anything is possible. We are always looking for playdates. My twins will be one in September as well! ____@____.com is my email address! Good luck with your appointment and keep us posted on the good news!

Everyone had good advice but I just wanted to say DON'T take 2 prenatals a day unless your dr advises you to. Over the counter and prescription are both adequate and you don't want too much of certain vitamins.

Another website with info on breastfeeding is http://www.kellymom.com/
Congratulations!