Second Pregnancy: Should I lose the excess weight first?

One thing that is irking me about this wanna-be pregnancy is the excess weight I have gained recently. The last few months I have gained around 5 -8 excess kilos. And, I think it is going to take me at least 3-4 months before I lose it.

But, sometimes I wonder if it makes any sense as I am going to blow up immediately as soon as I get pregnant. So, should I just continue as I am? Or, should I lose weight before getting pregnant? I am so confused and it would be great if you can give me a suggestion!

Chicken Soup for the Expectant Mother’s Soul

Another pat on the back to the Chicken Soup series. The 'Chicken Soup for the Expectant Mother’s Soul,’ has ‘101 stories to inspire and warm the Hearts of soon-to-be mothers'. Though I bought this book 4 years back while I was expecting, the morning sickness, tiredness and low BP didn't allow me to enjoy the book.

Now, that I am contemplating a second pregnancy, I picked up the book again to ponder about what I am letting myself in for. I found the book extremely inspirational and it makes me long for the day when I can get pregnant again.

During my first pregnancy, I spent 22 out of 24 hours in bed. Even those 2 hours that I was up, I was stooping over the wash basin to throw up at least six times. Now, I am longing for another pregnancy in spite of undergoing all those horrors. If this book can do that to me, then imagine all that it can do for you.

If you are expecting or planning, do pick up this book. You will enjoy it!

(Rs 250-367 pages)

Pregnancy Vitamin Supplements & Iron Supplement

During my first pregnancy, I was pretty normal except for one thing - My haemoglobin levels were a little low. So, I had taken Iron Supplements throughout my pregnancy and for sometime afterwards too. So, this time, me and my gynaec decided to play it safe. She has already started me off on iron and folvite supplements right now itself. She says this way :

* I would be healthy even before conceiving and
* there would be no 'lack of iron' problems during pregnancy.

One funny thing about this whole scenario is that I am still pondering upon whether I want another child or not - but, I have already started pregnancy vitamin & mineral supplements.

Does this mean that sub-consciously I am still in favour of another child???

Difficulty in conceiving: My nightmare!

With my first son, I had no difficulty in conceiving. Before I could bat an eyelid, it just happened. However, I have heard and seen many couples who have trouble in conceiving the second time. Now days, whenever I think of a second pregnancy, I start wondering at times about what would happen if I run a difficulty in conceiving.

And then I start thinking maybe I shouldn't try itself in the first place. I will not be able to take the disappointment and nightmares associated with waiting for your periods to disappear every month!

Sometimes, I wonder if it is my utmost desire for another child that makes me crave and long for it so much that such thoughts are entering my mind. At other times, I scold myself for my active imagination that is running a riot at times!

Second Pregnancy and First Child

My little toddler son somewhat started believing that I am pregnant with his little sibling. I didn't have the heart to tell him the truth and break his little heart. But it is his hopes and longing that is making me consider that it would be right to have another child.

My son, who is 3 years 4 months old, is pretty possessive of not just his parents but of all his toys and belongings. He hates to share his things with others and this is what made me think that it might be better to have another child. Many people tell me that when there is only one kid in the house, we invariably make him the KING, but when there is a competitor, they learn the rules of sharing and adjustment much earlier and shape up into better social creatures.

I think this might be true because already my son keeps telling me about how -

* he would buy a dual cycle, place the baby at the back and take him (he strongly believes he would have a brother!) so very carefully to the park to play with him.

* he would also take the kid to school with him on his cycle and also bring him back carefully. Also,

* he would get the kid a Dairy Milk Chocolate everyday while coming back from school. (It is a tradition for my son to buy a Dairy Milk everyday while coming back from school and he wants to pass it on to his sibling.)

* He also says he would teach the kid to play cricket, volleyball, football and basketball - all his favourite games!

* Ofcourse, definitely, he would pass on to the baby the art and techniques of his dancing skills.

* And, he says he would seat the baby before the idiot box to catch up on all 'Tom & Jerry' Shows and teach him to laugh at all the right places.

So, this is the reason why I tghink I should get another kid - just to see how many promises and dreams my son keeps up! Were your first kids similarly excited about your second pregnancies?

Second Pregnancy: Should I or Shouldn't I?

Finally, after being stuck with a piece of copper in my stomach for the last three years, I have finally removed the IUD just six days back. I didn't exactly plan to do that but it was just a whim on the part of my gynaec I guess. It went something like this:

Me: (lying on the examination table with the feet wide open and her peeping inside)Doctor, I want to remove my IUD. When do you...?

Doctor: (still looking deep into me & poking something inside) For what? Want another kid?

Me: (highly hesitantly) I am thinking that maybe I should get another. But I don't know whether...(again I didn't complete my sentence!)

Doctor: (pulling out her head and dangling something above me) There it is! Out and away!Good luck with the next one... Hoping to meet you soon!

I was so happy but also so confused... I did want another child but not now... I think the 'now' would have never happened but for this doc.

My problem is something like this:

Every morning I am reminded of the 101 reasons why I shouldn't get pregnant again.
* There was my mom & mom-in-law last time to care for me, there is none now.
* I was insensibly throwing up the first four months of my last pregnancy and spent 22 out of 24 hours in bed. Impossible to replicate now as that would mean starving my hubby & toddler son!
* I have just bought a beautiful new house (see www.housebuyingtips.in)and it would be an absolute disaster if I get preg and sick on the eve of our moving in.
* I have a career now and a running business too.
* I am doing my MBA and the guys in my class are still taking me to be a little girl married away sinfully early. It would be a disaster to attend classes pushing a huge belly.
* After a long time, it is only just now that I started fitting into my old jeans and its bye-bye to it once again.
* I just got a new pair of high-heeled sexy shoes to wear to the next party and God knows if I would be even attending the next one if I got pregnant.

I think of all these reasons and repeat a small mantra to steel myself "I will never ever get pregnant again... I will never ever get pregnant again... I will never ever get pregnant again..."

But as the sun goes down and the full moon smiles at me, I nestle close to my son and go to sleep. It is then she creeps into my life. She looks up at me with wide dark eyes wearing two little pigtails and asks me sweetly, "Mommy, Can I try your perfume?" I kneel down, hug her close and whisper, "You already smell so good, darling, you don't need it!" And then she gives me this beautiful, heart churning smile and I wake up praying for her to come into my life soon.

Aren't I crazy? Are you others so crazy too? Now, tell me what should I do? Should I or Shouldn't I?