[SplashingRainbow...]

We are thinking about TTC # 2 soon and I'm feeling so differently about the whole process this time around.

We know we want two children but the experience is definitely different - first time around I was so excited and blissfully unaware of the realities of life with a baby. Second time around has been delayed much longer than we ever thought until I could get my head around doing it all again (despite loving our son and wanting another, parenting has been much harder than I expected).

Did you find it harder to get excited about # 2 (or more)? Am I just a lonely pessimist?

Will it be more exciting when there is a BFP?

I hope this doesn't come out wrong - we definitely want a second child - the emotions and thought processes just seem so different this time around.

[erindiv]

I was a lot more casual about it. I was surprised that I got my BFP less than 4 weeks after going off the OCP, but it wasn't the same excitement as my first. With my first I was shaking and crying and all that. With my second it was just a smile and a few phone calls. My doctor was surprised I didn't go in to see her until I was 8 weeks along because she said usually people are in there the day after their BFP wanting scans etc. I wasn't in a hurry because I knew there was nothing to do until my bloods at 10 weeks

It would be different for everyone.

[Beancat]

I think it depends on the circumstances surrounding the conception.

For me it was completely different. Number 1 and number 3 were not planned, so there was no notion of even TTC. Number 2 was completely planned and we were so excited to be planning for another baby, however it took us four goes (lost three) to get our beautiful daughter. So we really only had one journey as such TTC between the three of them and it was long, emotional and finally exciting when we knew she was going to stay with us.

[SplashingRainbow...]

I can relate to that Erin.

Beancat that is a good point. I'm sorry to hear of your losses.

[mad madam mim]

It was different with us as we needed help getting pregnant, I was worried the longer it took, with DS1 we fell pregnant on my first cycle of clomid, but when TTC #2 the clomid no longer worked, so I was starting to really worry about what our next step would be. Excitement wise I can't really remember, I think they were both about the same, I remember jumping up and down and shaking both times when I found out I was pregnant, DH was really sick and in hospital when I found out I was pg with DS2 and DD so we were really happy when it happened as it meant we didn't have to put the next cycle on hold while he recovered.

[Stan the Fan Man]

I am nearly 5 weeks pregnant with number 2 and am yet to be "excited"... I really want this baby but I feel much more disconnected than I did last time!

[Sunnycat]

DS was a one hit wonder and I fell pregnant first month of trying. Wasn't tracking or trying very hard. Big shock when it happened straight away.

This one took 6 months and one early miscarriage to conceive, I was using opks and completely obssessed with falling pregnant. Now that I am pregnant I'm not particularly excited. I have days where I barely remember I'm pregnant at all.

I had an early gender scan a couple of days ago and am slightly more excited now that I know the gender as it feels more real.

[greenthumbs]

We're looking at trying for a second later this year, and the idea kind of terrifies me. Same as you I think OP, just nervous thinking about all the hard work.

I loved having a newborn and found it easy, but toddlerhood is proving very difficult at times and the thought of a toddler and a newborn? Scary stuff!

Good luck!

[Shadowess]

All my pregnancies were planned, but the excitment wasn't the same with 2 and 3, as it was with the first. With my 2nd, which ended in a m/c, even though it was a planned and wanted baby, it just never felt right, from the start... I wonder whether somehow I knew that things weren't going to go well. With my third pregnancy, I was desperate to fall pregnant again, and was totally obsessed with charting, and having weekly acupunture and well timed bd'ing. In the end, it only took 2 cycles to fall pregnant, once I'd recovered from the m/c.

TBH, I was a bit ho hum about the whole pregnancy, but as soon as she was born, and I saw her, I was totally smitten with her. I bonded with her a lot more easily than I did with DD1, when I was a lot more excited by the pregnancy.

[Spotted Giraffe]

Whilst I was very aware of the difficulties of a baby, I actually found being pregnant really exciting. I probably did have the initial 'what have I done' type thoughts, but I probably had these with my first too. Baby brain had me forgetting lots of what happened the first time around anyway. And it was actually easier to be relaxed and not worry. I was quite surprised that I did find subsequent pregnancies just as exciting.

I have 3 and my youngest is a baby. I am actually so in awe of the baby's milestones, it is like I have totally forgetten when and how my other children did them.