Second Pregnancy
What to Expect

Second and subsequent pregnancies do have special challenges, especially if your first child is very young. You may be even more tired than you were first time round. You may feel that you aren't looking after your toddler as well as you should, and you aren't fully focused on the new baby either.

Look after yourself. Every pregnancy is unique, emotionally and physically. However, the things you need to do to remain as healthy as possible are the same:

• Exercise -- if you have a small child, take him for a daily walk in his pushchair or do some simple pregnancy exercises in your living room and let him join in.
• Buy easy-to-prepare, healthy food such as pasta, fruit and vegetables. Eat regularly. Not eating makes tiredness much worse.
• Stock the house with dry foods or quick, easy dinners. If you feel up to cooking, make double portions and freeze them, because finding energy at the end of the day will be difficult once the baby is born.
• Leave all non-vital household tasks, and rest instead.
• Do one thing for your new baby every day, even if it's only just two or three minutes of deep, relaxed breathing while you think about how he's growing inside you.
• Let your older child help pick out items for the new baby's room.
• Find a special gift that your older child might like to share with the baby, such as a favorite book or toy, or a photo of the sibling for the baby's room. You might also want to pick out something for your older child too, such as a special chair just for him or her that he or she can sit in while you're feeding the baby.
• Arrange special time just for you and your older child. This might involve a trip to the library, grocery store, or simply reading a few extra stories at bedtime. Your partner can help you by caring for the baby during these times.
• Role-play or read stories to your child that will help him or her understand what is happening in the family. There are several books written especially for toddlers that can help. Check a local bookstore or ask your librarian for specific titles.
• Prepare your child for what to expect when the baby comes home. This includes explaining that a new baby cries, sleeps, and needs diaper changes frequently. Assure your older child that although the new baby needs lots of attention, there will still be plenty of time and love for him or her.
• Reinforce your older child's role in the family. Tell your child that he or she will be the "big brother/sister" to the new baby, and let your child revel in this new role. Consider taking your child on one of your prenatal visits or letting him or her be present for an ultrasound. If you're giving birth in a hospital setting, ask about sibling visitation after the baby is born.
• Don't forget to take care of your own needs. Pamper yourself, even if it's something as simple as a haircut or a bath with candles and music, to help you relax after a trying day.

Mothers might also worry about there being enough love for another child. How in the world could anyone ever live up to the wonder of your first born? Well, remember this baby is a different child and will have unique talents and characteristics of his or her own. Your love isn't a finite number, it is a never ending supply of emotions. So take your time. You may have to take time to fall in love with your newborn, but that can be common even with first babies.

So, enjoy this pregnancy and try to "sleep when the baby sleeps." Even if the baby is 3 or 4 years old!

Source:
www.pregnancy.about.com
www.kidshealth.org
www.babycenter.co.uk