Here’s our resident mum of 5 Amy Sheridan with her advice on how to cope with pregnancy when you have other children to look after too.

Being pregnant is amazing.

I loved everything about growing a baby inside me but of course with the wonderful life you are growing comes with a few side effects like tiredness, mood swings and sickness.

My first pregnancy was an eye opener: you never know what’s coming. If I was tired I tucked myself into bed for a few hours and if I felt sick I’d lie on the sofa feeling sorry for myself.

Second time round, I couldn’t do these things…I had a baby to look after as well as growing a new baby and feeling like death. I remember waking up in the mornings and alternating between being sick in the kitchen sink and making my daughter’s breakfast. It was ok though, when she slept I would sleep too and I managed to rest in-between running around with a big bump.

 Third time around was interesting. Baby Bump, Baby and Toddler. That was hard work, especially in the evenings when I used to get super tired and hubby would be working. I would give the two girls their dinner and then cuddle up on the sofa with them and shut my eyes for a super power nap, just to give me enough energy to get through the bedtime routine. Waddling upstairs carrying a baby and toddler was hard work and I would collapse onto my bed after bedtime exhausted and grumpy.

You can see the pattern here. With my fifth and final pregnancy I had the whole bump wearing, baby looking after, toddler chasing, pre-school and primary school children juggling thing going on.

If had any advice to give pregnant mum’s with other children it would be:

•  Take up any offers of help or baby sitting, a bit of rest will do you good and make you feel less stressed.
• Try to keep calm…. Yes, easier said than done, but stress in pregnancy is a no-no, so try to make time every day just to be calm and focus on you your bump.
• Stick to your routine with the children, at least you will know what time they will be in bed so you can rest your puffy ankles.
• Use your hubby/partner/friends/parents!! If you’re achey-speak up. Be honest about how you feel, you don’t need to be Super Pregnant Mum, you need looking after now and again so if someone else can do it, let them.

It is hard work; I remember feeling so tired at the end of a long day and I was alone with 4 children to put to bed. My body felt huge, my head was banging and I was miserable. But I kept going and my children helped me too, getting nappies, finding dummies and just making me laugh.

Remember; give yourself some well deserved praise. You’re growing a whole new life and nurturing the other wonderful lives you have made around you. You’re doing a fantastic job, rock that bump and wear your other children with pride.

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