Attending to yourself and the first child when having another baby
Mothers often feel tired when taking care of their first baby or toddler while pregnant. Sometimes they lack sleep, have to work and juggle childcare arrangements, and struggle to take care of themselves during pregnancy.
More often or not it is a case of mothers placing their health and pregnancy at risk because of their absorption in caring for their first child and family demands. Bearing in mind that in pregnancy, life although unseen within the womb is carried and in need of nurture through the mother as much as the first child is in need of care. Trying to balance maternity nurturing with family care takes management and thought-through planning.
Solutions in child care
Combining antenatal activities and family care can help not only allow the family feel included in the pregnancy process, but can also contribute to better mental and physical balance during pregnancy. Some women don't have mothers or grandmothers to fall back on for child care to give them some respite. Nor can all families afford the cost of external child care.
Knowing what is available locally to you to help you with child care and second pregnancy can be a valuable support. Your midwife or medical doctor can give you advice. There may be local government or community-run programmes, charities, or church-led groups worth exploring for help. Asking for help when needed means that you are taking responsibility for your own health, the health of your growing unborn child, and your first child's development. In addition, help provided by others often allows them to feel needed and involved in community and in society.
Having Another baby:
- Having Another baby
- Choice motivations for having another baby
- Planning and preparing for a second pregnancy
- Health considerations when having another baby
- Telling your partner and first child that your are expecting again
- What to expect when having another baby
- Possible complications when having another baby
- Differences in midwife care
- Attending to yourself and the first child when having another baby
Pregnancy Guide
- Pregnancy & Birth Guide
- Pregnancy
- Signs of Pregnancy
- Symptoms you Shouldn’t Ignore
- A Pregnant Mother’s Developing Body
- Pregnancy calendar
- The Role of the Expectant Father
- What you should and shouldn’t do during Pregnancy
- Prenatal Care
- Prenatal Methods of Testing
- Exercise during Pregnancy
- Pregnancy - Expecting Twins or More
- Pregnancy Predicaments
- Sleeping during Pregnancy
- Having Another baby
- Having a baby over 35
- Losing a baby
- Myths about Pregnancy
- Plus Size Pregnancy
- Piercing and Pregnancy
- Tanning and Pregnancy
- Tattoos and Pregnancy
- Pregnancy FAQ
Related Guides
- Pregnancy & Birth Guide
- Guide to Getting Pregnant
- Guide to Pregnancy
- Guide to Giving Birth
- Guide to Pregnancy Tests
- Mother, Baby & Beyond Guide
- Guide to Pain Relief in Labour
- Guide to pregnancy scans
- Pregnancy calendar guide
- Baby calendar guide
- Child development calendar guide
- Guide to miscarriage
- Guide to breastfeeding
- Guide to sleeping for mother & baby
- Guide to birth defects
- Guide to Post Natal depression