Young House Love

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Pregnancy After A Traumatic Birth

Some people have been asking for a little update on how I’m feeling and how this pregnancy is going, so I thought a quick Young House Life check-in would be fun. The short answer is that I’m so excited about this little bun (as are John and of course Clara, who tells anyone who’ll listen that she’s going to be a big sister). Burger seems ambivalent at this point, but I’m sure when a kid with sticky crumb-dropping hands comes along he’ll be elated too.

Bean Clara

It took me a long time to feel ready to carry a child again (more on that here), and it took us longer to get pregnant this time than it did last time, but over that span of time it feels like things have changed – in a slow but very sweet way. I’m a lot more at peace with the idea of being pregnant than I thought I might ever be (a few years ago that concept had me choking back anxiety-riddled tears). So when people ask me how I knew I was ready to try again after such a traumatic birth, the honest answer is really that over time my feelings of excitement and hope over-rode those feelings of terror and fear. They’re still there, but they’re not nearly as big and scary as they once were. So my advice would be to wait to see if the fear ever gets outweighed by joy, excitement, or hope and that might be a nice sign. It certainly didn’t happen overnight for me (Clara will be almost four when this kiddo comes along) but I’m finally in that place I hoped to be someday. I’m thrilled. I’m thankful. And I’m ready for this crazy ride, even if it might be nail-biting at times.

Pregnant Lady Hat

As for the physical stuff, I’m feeling kicks which instantly make me smile, and my energy level seems to be picking back up too, at least for the moment, which is really nice. According to the docs, who have a close eye on everything, the bun and I are both doing well, which is amazing and oh-so-comforting to hear. Honestly, just feeling a kick here and there makes me breathe a sigh of relief, so although I’m still dealing with some pretty annoying all-day sickness, I generally just feel thankful to be carrying a healthy bun. In the good news column of Barfyville, it’s not as severe as it was (without getting too graphic, I probably toss my cookies around 30% less than I did a few weeks ago, although I’m still running to the bathroom multiple times a day) so I feel like it might be slowly beginning to taper off. It ended at around 17 weeks with Clara, so although I’ve recently passed that mark, I’m hopeful that in another week or two it’ll just flip off like a switch, which is what happened last time around.

When it comes to finding out the sex, thanks to the office being closed for Thanksgiving, we have to wait another week, so we won’t find out until early December – but as soon as we do (and we tell our friends and family) we can’t wait to share the news with you guys and start thinking about nursery stuff! Oh man, just typing that makes me excited. I’m doing the same thing I did when I was pregnant with Clara, which is that I’ll see a date of something (like an expiration date on the milk or a date of when a movie comes out in a commercial) and if it’s after the ultrasound date in December my brain says “Wahoo! We should know what this bun is by then!” Of course this baby has already been notorious for not giving the techs a clear shot at things they need during ultrasounds (when they want measurements of certain areas I’ve had to do jumping jacks, roll back and forth, and run down the hall – sometimes even then only to hear “nope, didn’t work”). But we’ve never left without finally getting what we needed in the end, so I’m hopeful that the bun will cooperate and we’ll (eventually) get a clear shot.

Jumping Jacks

So that’s about all the news I have for you guys. Thanks for asking how I’m feeling and offering various nausea tips (I’ve tried virtually all of them to no avail, but it was nice to have different suggestions to explore). And thanks for all the well wishes and the kind words about this pregnancy. It really is amazing to be carrying a little baby around in my belly, and when the doubt or fear creeps in it’s nice to be able to remind myself that so many people are out there sending such good thoughts our way.

Comments

  3. Carrie Lea says

    It’s funny, how I don’t know you at all, but I got all teary reading this. I’m really excited for you guys! I just love your little family!

    Reply

  5. Kathleen says

    I know how you feel! I had morning (all day) sickness until after he was born. I had a bucket near me the whole time i was in labor too. No fun! Feel better soon!

    Reply

    • Leigh says

      I was sick all the way through my c-section and afterwards too. Yuck. And nothing helped. I tried everything. I learned one thing: peppermint is not my friend while pregnant. And 2.5 years later, peppermint still makes me sick.

      Sherry, I’m so happy for you guys. I hope the morning sickness leaves very soon! Can’t wait to see what you guys do for a nursery!

    • Young House Life says

      Yes!! Me too! I had a peppermint candy. Bad! Even tried peppermint infused water because someone said it helped them. SO BAD! Haha!

      xo
      s

  6. Emily says

    I just bought yogurt last night that expires December 16th, I’m due December 14th! EEeeek! I’m glad I’m not the only one that does that. :)

    Reply

  7. Shannon says

    When my BFF was prego she rented an ‘ultrasound’ machine (one that heard heartbeat, no image) and I totally thought she was craaaaazy…but she said it gave her peace of mind…so I understood but on some level still thought she was crazy, lol! Fast forward a year and I am prego with my first and working…hours would go by and whether I was too focused to notice a kick here or there I started to obsess about kicking and when I was ready to feel a kick I could never get my little one to move. Despite poking and prodding…soooo I invested in renting a machine and it was best thing EVER. It totally gave me a calm feeling when I hadn’t felt anything in hours and could lay down and find heart beat and just say – Ok, she’s just sleeping! My sister did same thing after me and she felt so calmed by it, too! Its so nice to hear your baby’s heartbeat anytime you want as well. My husband comments all the time about coming home from work to hear the whhossh whoooshh whooshh sound of the monitor coming from our room…… :-)

    Reply

    • Young House Life says

      Oh you mean a doppler! I’ve heard of people renting those, but I’m finally in the phase of feeling kicks more often, so I’m so thankful that puts my mind at ease regularly! If I’m worried, I’ll drink cold water and lay on my side and before I know it, someone in there is playing the drums :)

      xo,
      s

    • alivicwil says

      I’m at the stage of wanting one of these at the moment… but I have a scan next week, and should be starting to feel movements soon – which will help stop (slow) my mind from wandering, right? :)

    • Ashley B says

      We actually DIYed a Doppler. Haha! My husband had this sound recorder that he put on my belly and placed a glass Pyrex bowl on top of that, and a pillow on top of the bowl. He recorded and then was able to use a program on his computer to amplify and take out other sounds, including my own heartbeat. So, we were able to listen to it any time we wanted to, until I was far enough along for him to hear the baby’s heart beat just by putting his ear to my belly. It was so sweet. He calls it a “parabola,” which is something that focuses on sound in the middle of something (in this case it was the Pyrex bowl). I wonder if anyone else has done this?

    • Allison says

      Please be careful! Multiple sonograms are not recommended nor proven safe during pregnancy. Unfortunately, we all assume they are because many doctors and some midwives practice this way. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology recommends ONE sonogram at 20 weeks unless there are complications (or a true need to “date” the pregnancy). This technology should not be used at home for fun or reassurance. Trust your bodies and babies women! And, pick a health care provider to helps you to feel safe and confident. Best wishes Sherry and readers for healthy, happy babies and mamas!

    • Daniela says

      Allison, don’t scare people with lies like that!! are you crazy??????

      Ecodoppler scans are non invasive. They are just sound waves (like the mother’s voice) of the audible spectrum and are completely unharmful.

      To all the moms to be, good luck!!

    • Laurabeth says

      As a childbirth educator I know that, unfortunately, Daniela’s incorrect. Dopplers use ultrasound technology, which by definition is outside the range of human audibility. Ultrasound is known to be associated with effects including temperature and cellular changes — that is why it is also used for killing bacteria in sewage. The FDA says that ultrasound use during pregnancy “cannot be regarded as completely innocuous”. The WHO and ACOG agree. Please research these things for yourself!

  8. Liz says

    Thanks for sharing – I think I’m just a week or two ahead of you, and I think it’s funny that our pregnancies have overlapped! My son is just a few months older than Clara, and now this baby is going to be just around the same age as your bun… also, I’m getting boy vibes for the bun (though what the heck do I know?). Much love.

    Reply

  9. Tania says

    So excited for you! I’m believing/praying that the joy and peace will continue to eliminate the fear…and I am super excited to see the nursery ideas!!! Aghhh!

    Reply

    • Young House Life says

      We took a few belly shots as Clara was baking, so we’re taking a few to document this pregnancy as well (not every week or anything, but maybe 6 overall, just to see my belly grow). I only posted those in a grid after the baby came with Clara, so I might do the same thing for the bun – but I’m sure pictures of my belly will make their way into regular family posts over here and DIY ones over on Young House Love, so you’ll get to see me expand. Haha!

      xo
      s

  11. Emily@Decorchick says

    SO happy to hear everything is going well. We are all so excited for you!! We’ve been thinking about #3, but I’m still not there mentally yet to be okay with barfing all day, every single day, and bed ridden for exactly 3 months. The last pregnancy sickness was quite traumatic, but she’s such a sweet little thing and was worth it. I’m hoping God will throw me a bone or something though when #3 does come though. Haha!

    Reply

  13. Kristen says

    We just found out today that we’re having a boy!!! It will be our second, and our first just turned five. It took my husband and I a long time to feel adequately prepared for a second pregnancy, too, but it’s hard to feel anything but pure joy when I see that little bundle squirming around on the screen. :)

    Reply

  14. Jolene says

    Glad to hear it’s going well. I can understand how great it is to feel the bun kicking. I’m currently 8 weeks pregnant. My second pregnancy and I hope my first baby. I had a missed miscarriage last time found at 10 weeks. This pregnancy is different… I am sooo sick. Nothing helps. I can only keep down salty plain carbs. Sometimes lol. But hey at least I’m having strong symptoms! Last time I felt great and that didn’t end well. So as much as I’m hating this I’m trying to consider it a blessing! Nerves and anxiety I understand… so I’m very happy to hear you’re doing so well.

    Reply

    • Young House Life says

      Oh Jolene, I’m so sorry for your loss. I can’t wait until you’re in the feeling-kicks phase. It really is so peace-inducing, and I weirdly enough had this reaction like “I’ve missed these” all the way back from when I was pregnant with Clara, so even though it was so long ago, it’s like my body remembered the feeling exactly!

      xo
      s

    • DawnSC says

      Ahh, Jolene, so sorry for you. I’m also currently 8 weeks pregnant with hopefully our 2nd child… and also had a miscarriage around 10-11 weeks last time too, earlier this year. I completely understand how symptoms can suck and yet make you feel better all at the same time (something has to be going on for you to feel horrible right??). Fingers crossed that it works better for us both this time, and many many good luck thoughts to you!! I have an appointment this Friday and I’m so nervous/excited for it. As for sickness – for whatever reason, super tart lemonade has been settling my stomach. Good thing we have a lemon tree in our yard so I’m not sending my husband to the store to bring home a ridiculous amount of lemons for me. :)

  15. Macy Miller says

    I am 21 weeks along and Skittles are the ONLY thing that worked for the sickness… seriously. Eat. Skittles. The normal ones in the red package :). I have loved your site for years at this point but this is my very first comment! :) Best wishes!

    Reply

  16. Amber says

    Thanks to my doctor’s office being closed the week of Thanksgiving I have to wait to find out the sex until early December too! So excited for your family. We have 2 boys and hoping for a girl this time around :)

    Reply

    • Young House Life says

      I’m so sorry you have to wait too Amber, although it makes me feel better that other momma’s are running into the same thing (I thought I was the only unlucky one, haha). We need to start a club…

      xo
      s

  17. Ashley B says

    So glad things are going well, so happy for you guys! Sending more happy and positive thoughts your way. My baby just turned 6 months and is already trying to climb out of her crib :( *sniffle sniffle* She was a “24/7-all day every day sickness for 9 months-pregnancy.” Haha! at least I can laugh about it now. I hope your nausea goes away soon!

    Reply

    • Young House Life says

      Aw thanks Ashley! Your little baby sounds like she was spirited from the start! I love that she’s so active at 6 months. Clara is three and still doesn’t climb out of her crib (although she can launch herself into it, which is pretty impressive to see, haha!).

      xo
      s

  18. Jenny says

    Congrats on baby #2! Such an exciting time! I’m sure someone probably already recommended this but peanuts were one of the only things that helped me a little bit. Both my pregnancies had me running to the bathroom all the time up until 20 weeks. I think the peanuts helped since they’re full of protein and are salty too! I would eat some before I ever got out of bed and that helped some. Hope that switch flips soon and you get some relief! :)

    Reply

    • Young House Life says

      I’ve tried so many other nuts but not peanuts. They sound good (mmm, salty crunchy) so I’ll have to pick some up!

      xo
      s

  19. Vanessa says

    So glad to hear you and baby are doing well. I am very happy for the whole Petersik family. I am in the same boat as you, I am BARELY coming around to the idea of baby #2 and my first child is already 7! I had a difficult pregnancy and my daughter was premature. However, I am slowly coming around to the idea. Cannot wait to see what baby #2 is for you!

    Reply

  20. tnewhouse says

    I have found that my prenatal was making me sick! Too much iron. I switched to gummy vitamins with no iron and now I have no problems (37 weeks preggos).
    Any special cravings/adversions? I have been craving fruit but dont want meat!

    Reply

    • Young House Life says

      I’m craving soup and baked potatoes (baked potatoes was what I always wanted with Clara too). Right now I’m having a salad aversion (which stinks because I love salad!) just because I got sick off of a salad a few days ago and haven’t quite recovered from it…

      xo
      s

    • Brittany says

      Hi tnewhouse!
      Your doctor said it was okay to take the gummy ones with no iron? How did you supplement the iron you need – through your diet? I was taking the gummy ones and felt fine, but a couple weeks ago I switched to the regular ones, because the doctor said I should have the ones with iron. However, since then I have been more nauseous – not throwing up, but definitely nauseous. I’m not sure if it has to do with the fact that I’m just getting further in my pregnancy though. It seemed to start around 7 weeks and I’ll be 8 weeks tomorrow. Last night, I switched back to gummy to see if it might make a difference. I’ll be anxious to hear your thoughts. Thanks!

  22. Michelle says

    Glad to hear things are going so well! I’m 17w5d today! We find out the sex on the 23 of November and I can’t wait. This is my first pregnancy (after TTC for 4+ years) and I have a feeling after we find out what we are having, things will really hit me that this is real. Still not feeling any kicks but small flutters that I hear might be the baby moving.

    My two nieces are 4 years apart (4 years and 1 month exactly!) and they have such a wonderful relationship. The younger one ADORES her big sister and the older one thinks it is fun (and sometimes annoying) to have her younger sister copying her all the time.

    Reply

    • Young House Life says

      You’re so lucky to scoot in before Thanksgiving! So jealous! Haha! And I love hearing about siblings who have a loving and close relationship with the same span that the bean and the bun will have! Thanks so much for telling me that!

      xo
      s

    • Rachel says

      My husband and his older brother are 17 months apart and he and his younger brother are 4 years apart. While he was really close to his older brother when they were super young, he got way closer to his younger brother as soon as he hit around middle school and they are still closer to this day!

  23. Kathy says

    Thanks so much for the update. I am relatively new to your blog and facebook page, but read the Clara birth story. I can only say I hope and pray this baby will be cooperative and easy. You have many people praying for you and your family and a safe, uneventful delivery.

    Congratulations to all of you, especially big sister, Clara. I am sure
    she will be a wonderful big sister

    Reply

  24. Pam the Goatherd says

    Thanks for the update. I’m so excited for you, and can’t wait to find out if it’s a boy-bun or girl-bun! It’s going to be fun to see how you decorate the nursery. Definitely positive thoughts and prayers going out for you and that little one.

    Reply

  25. alivicwil says

    I’m 18 weeks today with my first; my “20 week” scan is next Wednesday.
    I’ve had a stressful couple of weeks at work, and packing up our house readying to move (although settlement has been delayed) – I’m very much looking forward to that scan and “seeing” bub again.

    I’m so glad to hear that you’re feeling excited about Bun, and hope the vomming ends soon.

    (I’m so excited, too, to be at a similar stage than you – a huge number of my close friends and family have had bubs in the past 18mo, and I felt like I’d kind of missed the trend a little, so it’s nice to be able to follow along with someone else :D )

    Reply

    • Young House Life says

      So excited about your 20 week scan! Ahhh, you’re going to blink your eyes and it’ll be Wednesday!

      xo,
      s

  26. JenB says

    Being high risk is no fun, but there’s a certain, weird comfort in knowing that they’re keeping an extra close eye on you. I had gestational diabetes with both of mine (not even close to as scary as your experience), so I had extra appointments, ultrasounds, stress tests, etc. I really didn’t mind because I felt like they really knew me and my babies by the time they were born! I hope the morning sickness disappears VERY soon–hang in there!

    Reply

    • Young House Life says

      I know what you mean! It’s like I can breathe a giant deep breath whenever they say “all is good!”

      xo
      s

  27. Elizabeth says

    I’m running into the SAME thing with scheduling my ultrasound… was hoping for Wed before Thanksgiving, but it will have to be early December. *sad trombone* When I told my 7 year old we have to wait until after Thanksgiving, she actually cried! (She is that excited to find out whether it is a boy or girl.) Glad you are feeling better… the yuckies stuck around much longer for me this time than with my other 2, but is definitely better now.

    Reply

    • Young House Life says

      Aw, I’m sorry you’re having the same scheduling thing! We’re in this together! Haha!

      xo
      s

  28. Erin says

    You look so much like your mom in that last photo. Not that I know your mom but just from the photos you’ve posted on the blog. :) Glad to hear that everything is baking along just fine!

    Reply

  29. Laurie says

    I’m 4 years older than my brother and it was a good age gap. We still could play games together, sports, and when my brother was a freshman in high school I was a senior so me and my friends could look out for him and make him “cooler by association.”

    Now he’s one of my best friends. Clara is going to have a ball!

    Reply

    • Megan says

      Agreed! I am the middle of two siblings, exactly four years apart on either side. (almost 30 years old now). It was awesome to have a “cooler” old brother who looked out for me and I could do the same to my little sister. We had probably more separation time during college and stuff, but now we’re all very close :)

    • Heather says

      My sister is four years older than me, and my brother two. I was a freshman in HS the fall after my sister graduated. We could choose from two highschools, so while my brother chose the other one, I chose the same HS as my sister. I was once (repeat, once) harassed once by a junior who had known her and her wild ways. Some of the seniors heard about it, knew I was the little sister, and it never happened again. I don’t know why it never happened again, all I know is that I had a pretty easy time as far as upperclassmen went haha. We still fight because we’re so different, but there is a ton of love, we adore each other, and but we’re incredibly protective of each other. My introvert blond, blue eyed brother has two loud olive skinned brunette protective sisters on either side of him as well. No wonder he chose the other high-school. Hahaha.

    • Rebecca says

      I was coming to share the same thought! My sister is 4 years younger than me (I turned 4 about weeks after she was born) and while we definitely had our moments of sibling rivalry, we’re super close now. She literally lives across the street and we love it!

  30. Jessika says

    I’m so glad you’re feeling (a bit) better! We must be due about the same time because my all-telling ultrasound falls right over Thanksgiving too. I was able to sweet-talk the doctor’s office to make the appointment fall back to the day before Thanksgiving rather than the Monday after (hurray!). Energy is slowly coming back here too, though today I feel like someone bicycle pumped my belly. I swear it’s 2″ bigger now than it was this morning. But all will be worth it, right?

    Reply

    • Young House Life says

      You’re so lucky to sneak in before Thanksgiving! And that’s hilarious about your belly! I feel like I’m a lot bigger in the evenings and every morning I wake up and the bumps back down again.

      xo
      s

    • Wendy says

      I felt the same way when we were pregnant with our daughter, then it hit me… I was the same way when I wasn’t pregnant.

      I’m thinking it’s all of the food lodged in the intestines that expands the belly. When we’re resting and it releases, the belly flattens or shrinks or is in its not-full-of-food state/size.

  31. Kelsey says

    Yay, so exciting! I’m just a week or two behind you with our second baby, and it’s been fun to rediscover all the little joys (and trials) of pregnancy. I’m praying for a very safe, uneventful pregnancy and birth for you. I’m very glad that your fears have eased. If they become a problem again, perhaps you might consider professional counseling? I’ve heard that a surprising number of women suffer from birth-related trauma, and that speaking with a therapist can really help to process those issues.

    Congratulations again! Keep on cookin’ that little bun!

    Reply

    • Young House Life says

      Thanks so much Kelsey! I’m definitely pro counseling and would seek help if that stuff ever got too heavy again for sure! I’m just so thankful to be in such a thankful and excited place – I really doubted it would ever come for a while there.

      xo
      s

  32. Michelle says

    Congratulations on the little bun ! I was wondering why the wait on the baby sex we found out at week 16 and I thought that was a normal span. Looking forward to you nursery rooms and projects !!

    Reply

    • Young House Life says

      You’re so lucky! Here it’s usually 20 weeks, but Thanksgiving break is throwing a wrench in our plans! Haha!

      xo
      s

  33. Jen says

    So happy to hear everything is going so well! We just had #2 in September and #1 will be four in early December. It is such a magical time and the age difference is a good one. I loved how Diego totally understood that there was a baby growing inside me (and he would tell EVERYONE he met that his baby sister was in Mommy’s tummy) and would come to every appointment and get so excited to see the baby.
    Now that she is here he just adores her, refers to her as “my baby” and gets so overcome with love and joy that he’s actually bit her little feet before while kissing them! I have to remind him that even though I totally want to eat her up also that it’s not okay to munch on you baby sister. :)

    Reply

    • Laurie says

      Jen that is SO cute! Come to think of it, I very much thought my brother was mine and with the second brother (who snuck in 18 months after brother #2) I remember getting up in the morning and hauling him out of the crib to change him.

      Being a big sister is awesome!

  34. Kimberly says

    You know, I was wondering how you were doing – you’d been so quiet about the wee one! So thanks for this. It made me smile and get sooo excited for you :) My youngest sister is expecting a wee one in January and she’s still sick – I really feel for you and her in that respect, that kinda slows some of the joy when you’re running for the bathroom (in that moment lol) But what an exciting, fun and special time. I’m so happy for you!

    Reply

  35. Kate says

    I’m sorry you still aren’t feeling good! I get hyperemesis with my pregnancies and it passes at about 20 weeks. I’m 24 weeks now, and aside from breakfast coming up a few days a week, things are so much better. I hope you have the same luck! And none of the remedies work! I hope your day comes very very soon.

    Reply

    • Young House Life says

      Oh man, that stinks Kate! I’m so glad to hear you’re feeling better though! I’m so excited to hit 20 weeks and hopefully kick this thing!

      xo
      s

  36. Rachel says

    So great to hear an update! I am so excited for you guys, and loving how “in the water” pregnancy seems these days! I found out I was pregnant within just a few weeks of finding out 3 of my fav bloggers are too :) Our due date has been moved around a few times so we had an unexpected gender clue at our last visit. Results are official the week after Thanksgiving for us too, though! Yay for Spring babies!

    Reply

    • Young House Life says

      That’s so exciting Rachel! I love that two of my friends happen to be pregnant with me too! It’s nice to have a little committee to talk about all things baby.

      xo
      s

  37. MegS says

    Ahh!!! I’m due in May with #1 and I’m so excited to being doing this alongside you guys!!! 4 years of following, and we’re on house #3 as well!! Love to you all and happy, healthy well-wishes all around!!!

    Reply

  39. Laura says

    Thank you so much for sharing. I too had a traumatic birth experience and my little boy is 16 months old now. He’s my first and I want to have another baby but I’m so terrified. It gave me so much hope after reading this that someday I will be ready. I really can’t thank you enough for sharing your experiences and being so open about everything. I am so happy for you all and hope that things continue to go well. Can’t wait to see what the bun is!

    Reply

    • Young House Life says

      Aw thanks Laura! Sending you so much love. I hope that peace and excitement will come for you.

      xo
      s

  40. Holly says

    I feel ya. My little guy is 7.5 weeks old, but I lived on Zofran my entire pregnancy. That constant sickness, plus gestational diabetes and 24+ hours of labor followed by a csection mean we are definitely waiting 2-4 years before we even think about another little one! I hope you feel better soon! I found the sickness started easing up a tad for me by the third trimester even though I never went more than a couple weeks without tossing my cookies. :)

    Reply

  41. Maggie says

    I had terrible sickness with both of my pregnancies, and now with #3 it is kicking in again! Try some dry Rice Krispies cereal, a little at a time, first thing in the morning, before you even get out of bed! I keep a box in my nightstand :)

    Reply

    • Young House Life says

      I tried Kix and Cheerios but not Rice Krispies, so I’ll have to give that a go. Once I get over my first getting-sick-sesh of the day, I usually have Chex though, and I love that (I think it’s puffed rice too)!

      xo
      s

  42. alix says

    I’m sure you’ve tried it or at least heard of it, but ginger tea and ginger gravol are both amazing for morning sickness! Also if you’re taking a prenatal vitamin, take it at night before bed instead of in the a.m. The vitamins I was taking ended up being too much for my body to handle and that’s the only time I got sick!

    Reply

    • Young House Life says

      Alas, I tried ginger tea and ginger candy but they didn’t work for me. I also take my vitamin right before bed at night, which does seem to help a little. Thanks for the tip!

      xo
      s

  43. Joy says

    “Wait until the fear is overcome by excitement.” That is exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you!

    I am so excited for you guys and hope everything continues to go great!

    Reply

  44. Ashley Sanchez says

    Congratulations!! I’ve been following your blog for the past couple of years. We too are pregnant… I’m 17 weeks on Thursday. When I found out you were pregnant I told my husband “you know that cute house blog I stalk their pregnant too!!” I’m surprised you haven’t found out yet since you’re a little further along. I had to go to the hospital a couple of weeks ago for some complications (the baby is fine, but we’re in the high risk category now) and we were able to find out why we’re having. My next appointment is next Tuesday and our doc said we’d be able to confirm the sex at that appointment! I can’t wait to feel kicking… We miscarried twins in the spring so sometimes it’s hard to believe I’m pregnant or we get kind of paranoid between visits… So once I feel the kicking it will just put my mind at ease (I hope!) I’m glad you have some energy coming back…. I’m waiting on that 2nd trimester boost of energy!! Best of luck to you and your family!

    Reply

    • Young House Life says

      Oh Ashley, I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m also so excited for you to get to find out the sex so early! Our practice has a strict 20 week rule, so even if they see something during an earlier scan for something else they don’t tell you until they can be sure at the 20 week scan! It has us on the edge of our seat for sure!

      xo
      s

  45. Jen says

    We also find out the sex of #2 the first week of December!!! Can’t wait to hear what you are having, looking forward to stealing some ideas for our new nursery ;)

    Reply

  46. Pamela says

    When I told my dad I was pregnant with my second child, he told me that getting pregnant again was the stupidest thing I’d ever done. You see, I had almost died from a terrible bout with Hyperemesis Gravadarum the first time. But after watching my husband be such an amazing (step) father to my daughter, I couldn’t wait to give him a child if his own after we married. So I know what you mean about hope overriding fear! The second bout with HG was worse than the first, but I wouldn’t change a thing…I got through it and, in the end, I gave birth to an awesome son, who will turn 9 on Saturday!
    I’m so happy for you guys and everything is going to be just fine.

    Reply

    • Young House Life says

      Oh Pamela, that sounds terrible, but I’m so glad you got two awesome kiddos out of it! So worth it!

      xo
      s

  47. Amy says

    Thanks so much for this post. I had a traumatic birth experience last spring followed by more than 4 months in the NICU; I’ve always wanted more than one child, but I’m not quite sure how to deal with the anxiety that will haunt me if we do this again. But you’re right – there will always be fear, I just need to get to a point where the happiness and excitement are stronger.

    Also – I totally cried over a milk carton when I realized our baby would be home from the hospital before the milk expired :)

    Best wishes for the rest of your pregnancy!

    Reply

    • Young House Life says

      Aw, I love you Amy. Sending you lots of good thoughts that when you’re ready you’ll know. Someday you might be crying into a milk carton with joy again :)

      xo
      s

    • Kelly says

      I had my healthy, fully term son about 6 weeks ago. He was my second- my first (daughter) was premature by almost 10 weeks and spent 4 months in the NICU. She’s a healthy little two year old now, but because of that experience, I was so anxious about being pregnant again!

      Just wanted to share that I am told every pregnancy is different and my dr. told me it was totally normal to be so anxious about the next pregnancy!

    • Young House Life says

      So nice to hear that Kelly! Thanks so much for sharing. Those positive stories of the second one being different than the first are so helpful!

      xo
      s

  48. Joanna says

    Hang in there..with holiday season starting, December will be here in no time:) I had boy #3 in May and was sick until week22:( nothing worked for me either, however, really sour gummie candies took the edge off temporarily. I got a bag of them at that candy store by Short Pump Towne Center.

    Reply

  49. Jenn says

    Yay!!! You said “sex”!!! (I’m the one who posted the IG comment about gender vs sex), You guys might just shut the interwebs down when you share the news! You guys are so relatable and normal and I think your sincerity shines through.

    So excited for you all. Clara is totally gonna breastfeed her dolls!

    Reply

    • Betsy says

      What’s the rule/difference? Just curious :) And I agree, love you guys for being so relatable and normal!

    • Young House Life says

      Jenn’s a Sociology Professor and she taught me that you find out the sex of the baby, but not the gender by an ultrasound. Apparently gender is a socially constructed term (think masculine/feminine) and it’s taught culturally, while sex is the biological term (think male/female).

      xo
      s

    • Jenn says

      A+ for the spot on answer! Gender is made up by cultures (we think of women as feminine and men as masculine) but it’s not biological because it varies cross-culturally. Some cultures have feminine men and masculine women. (I’m using our understanding of masculine/feminine but it’s really unique to each culture). It’s a good thing to distinguish. Good job!

  50. Kate Mc says

    I’m happy for your family getting a new member soon. I had a traumatic first kid birth too, and it took us a bout the same amount of time (he was 4.5 when she was born) to feel ready to have a go at it again. I found that the second time around it was much better, I hope you find the same as well.

    Reply

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