A mum has told how she discovered she was pregnant again a mere 12 weeks after giving birth.
Paulina Gammon, 21, welcomed her son Jakub, ten months, in April last year.
While she and husband Stanley, also 21, were still adjusting to life as new parents, she was stunned to learn she was pregnant again when Jakub was only 12 weeks old.
Her second son is due next month – just 11 months after his older brother.
“The second pregnancy wasn’t planned,” Paulina, from Derby, Derbyshire, told What’s the Jam.
“We had always wanted children close in age.
“I found out I was pregnant when we were wedding ring shopping.
“I felt very nauseous and sick so I did a pregnancy test in the shopping centre.
“We were so shocked and nervous that it had happened so soon.
“Stanley was surprised, but so happy.
“His reaction was much happier and more confident than mine but that really helped me.
“He’s so supportive and already a great dad.
“But we’d just begun adjusting to being parents and knew we would have to get into a whole new routine.
“I already had such a young baby, and the thought of doing it all again so soon was scary.
“But now I’m so happy and excited.”
Siblings born less than 12 months apart, typically conceived within three months of the previous birth, are known as Irish twins.
Paulina also revealed that she conceived her first son while she was on contraception.
“Jakub was a surprise because I was on contraception, so we were really confused, but I wouldn’t change it for the world,” she said.
“They’ve both been amazing surprises.”
Paulina, who works as cabin crew, says friends and family were stunned by the news that she was pregnant a second time.
She said: “Everyone was so shocked when they found out I was pregnant again.
“But they were also really excited and happy for us.
“I think the boys will be best friends.
“They will be two boys with a one-year age gap, so they will always have each other to play with and share similar interests due to growing up with such a close age gap.
“And I know it’ll get easier when we get into a routine.
“Now I’ll know what to expect with the second thanks to Jakub.”
Paulina and Stanley met when they were 16, and he proposed on a beach in Rhodes, Greece, in 2024.
The pair got married in August last year.
Despite knowing it will be challenging, Paulina says she can’t wait to have two children so close in age.
She added: “It wasn’t planned, but it feels like it was meant to be.
“I love being a mum and we have everything prepared because of having Jakub.
“We don’t need to stock up on any boys’ clothes.
“It will be lovely to see Jakub’s little brother wearing things I dressed Jakub in.
“I know it will be difficult but I can’t wait to watch them grow up together.”
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