You never thought it would happen to you: Your baby is barely four months old and you’ve just gotten the hang of breastfeeding, when suddenly, you start experiencing symptoms you didn’t think you’d feel this soon. Congratulations, you’re pregnant—again! Before you hit the panic button, take a deep breath and see what our experts have to say.
Q:
“I’m pregnant again, just four months after giving birth to my firstborn. Is this going to be a safe pregnancy?”
A:
According to obstetrician-gynecologist and international board certified lactation consultant Patricia Kho M.D., “The World Health Organization recommends a birth interval of three years or more after a delivery; if not, there’s a higher risk of miscarriage and pre-term delivery.” This is due to the fact that you may not have fully recovered yet from your previous pregnancy and delivery, and also because you may still be anemic and have depleted hemoglobin reserves.
Mary Faith Angat, M.D., obstetrician-gynecologist at Cardinal Santos Medical Center and Taytay Doctors Multispecialty Hospital, agrees that proper spacing is recommended. However, she says it can be shorter. “Six to 18 months is the ideal minimum to give your body enough time to fully recover and minimize pregnancy complications,” she says. “If you get pregnant less than 12 months after giving birth, it doesn’t necessarily mean there would be problems. It just means that there are things you and your doctor need to be aware of so you can enjoy a safe and healthy pregnancy.”
Dr. Kho says the best way to ensure a safe pregnancy is to take good care of yourself and your unborn child. “Have a good diet,” she advises. “Be extra careful and take prenatal vitamins and iron supplements. As soon as you feel tired, lie down and rest, and have someone help care for the baby.”
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Q:
“I haven’t even shed my excess weight from my first pregnancy, and now I am pregnant again. Will it be harder to lose these pounds after I give birth?”
A:
Steff Bitong, mom to Rodrigo, 11, Sabina, 10, Alessa, 5, and Eliana, 3 months, found herself pregnant when Rodrigo was only five months old. “My main concern was losing the weight, more than anything else,” she says. “I hadn’t gone back to my pre-pregnancy weight when I started to gain it all back!”
Dr. Angat reassures, “It will not be more difficult to shed excess weight after your second pregnancy. Keep your weight gain slow and steady. The amount of weight you will gain during pregnancy is a big determining factor on how easy or difficult it will be to lose these pounds postpartum. Your obstetrician will monitor your weight gain every prenatal checkup.”
Dr. Kho suggests, “Have a nutritious diet and an exercise plan. Choose foods rich in vitamins. Stay away from fast food, oily and fried food, and soft drinks.” Exercise, even light or moderate, will help you maintain your weight goals. Just don’t pick up a new sport if you lead a sedentary lifestyle,” she warns, “though swimming and walking are safe bets”.
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Q:
“I gave birth via C-section with my first child. Will my stitches stretch along with my womb when it expands? Are my incisions even fully healed?”
A:
“Studies show that myometrial healing may require at least six months,” says Dr. Angat. “By that time, the previous incision in your uterus is completely healed and the risk of uterine rupture or maternal morbidity is lessened. The scar from your precious Caesarean section will stretch along with your uterus as your pregnancy progresses.”
Dr. Kho suggests not to over-exert yourself if you just had a C-section. “There’s a slightly higher risk for the stitches to break later on in the pregnancy or when you deliver, but your doctor will monitor that. If you feel anything painful or if the baby isn’t moving, call your doctor right away. I would also advise that you give birth in a hospital and not in a lying-in center or at home so you could be properly monitored.”
Q:
“I have postpartum depression and my hormones are starting to go haywire because of this new pregnancy. What will happen?”
A:
Postpartum depression is a serious problem because it can affect your ability to parent, says Dr. Angat, and “getting pregnant soon after giving birth may aggravate this condition.” If you have it, you must seek counseling and treatment immediately. She suggests:
1. Get plenty of rest. Nap when your baby naps.
2. Don’t pressure yourself to do everything. Ask help from family and friends. Ask your husband to help with feedings at night.
3. Take special care of yourself. Shower and dress nicely each day.
4. Do not spend a lot of time alone. Meet with a friend; talk with other new moms.
5. Tell your husband or a friend how you’re feeling. Talking things out with someone you trust can provide relief.
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Q:
“Can I still breast-feed my baby now that I’m pregnant again?”
A:
Yes, you can. Dr. Kho says, “Breastfeeding doesn’t cause preterm delivery because the uterine contractions you experience while breastfeeding are very mild.” Dr. Angat agrees: “Breastfeeding during pregnancy is also a way to stay connected to your child throughout the pregnancy. It may also lessen your child’s anxiety about how he will fit in with a new baby.” However, she warns, “Any mother who is experiencing persistent uterine contractions, lower backache, pelvic pressure, abdominal cramps, or increased vaginal discharge, which may include mucus, blood, or water, should end the breastfeeding session and seek medical attention right away.”
Q:
“Can I still carry my baby now that I’m pregnant again? I know I’m not supposed to carry heavy things.”
A:
Yes you can, but Dr. Kho warns, “If your baby is too heavy, you’d feel the heaviness and pain - and that’s the time to stop.” Dr. Angat adds, “It is standard advice not to carry heavy things during pregnancy, especially if you show signs of preterm labor.”
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Q:
“I’m worried I won’t have time or enough love to give my child now that the new baby is coming.”
A:
Joan Ongtenco, mom to Ellie, 2, and Caleb, 1, found out she was pregnant again when Ellie was barely one. “At first, I couldn’t imagine having enough love in me to give to another child. I didn’t think it was possible for me to love another person as much as I love Ellie,” she says.
Sheila Gomez*, mom to David, 8, Ginger, 7, Tisha, 3, and Anna, 1, found out she was pregnant when her son David was only five months old. Her advice, “Don’t overcompensate with your firstborn because you’re guilty about having a second child right away. I neglected my second baby because of that guilt.”
“It’s easy to bond with your child while you’re pregnant,” reassures Dr. Kho. “Think of activities you can enjoy together that are not too tiring such as lying down, playing calm and not-so-intense games, reading a book, or breastfeeding. Leave the strenuous activities to his father or Yaya.”
As long as you follow your doctor’s advice and take good care of yourself and your unborn child, you won’t have to worry too much. And no matter how much it may freak you out at the start, just focus on embracing this pregnancy and the immense joy your newborn will bring you and your family.
*names were changed to protect the privacy of individuals
Photo by Ernst Vikne from flickr creative commons
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