Esther and William are IVF babies. When I was pregnant with them doctors advised a belt and braces approach to ensuring the pregnancy worked. I had to take steroids, aspirin, clexane and oral progesterone support. I only drank bottled water and ate mostly organic food. I did everything by the book. I took so many minerals and vitamin supplements. I rested everyday with a relaxation CD. Everything there was to do to make the pregnancy work, I did it. I read every book, every website. I was totally focused on preserving the pregnancy and making my babies healthy at the end of it.

I was only working part time and I had no children so I was able to completely relax. I did not do anything that might put the pregnancy or our babies at risk.

So far with this new pregnancy I have been so much more relaxed.

I’ve drunk some caffeine and eaten mussels in a restaurant. I heave a double buggy round all day and the only supplement that I am taking is folic acid as part of Pregnacare.

Second time around I cannot afford the luxury of long mornings in bed with a book.

Second time around I have my beautiful 15 month old twoddlers to look after and I don’t want them or me to miss a thing. They are at such an exciting stage of their life and development. We have to be out and about every single day to make the most of their time.

I am hoping that because this is a natural pregnancy, I can behave more like a normal mummy to be. That now my body has been through this once it will know more readily what to do.

I hope that a few months down the line I will not be regretting the decisions I have made.

Were things different for you the second time around?