Pregnant with #4/5/6

[BeauticianNotMagician81]

Hi I just thought it would be nice to start a chat with other mums who are pregnant with number 4,5,6 or more.

I am expecting ds4 in July. I thought we could talk about how we are finding pregnancy this time around and any concerns we have about having a larger family.

I can't wait to be part of a big family although obviously done things I'm nervous about. My three children are aged 11,10 & 3.

[Donnadoon]

Howdy partner! DC6 on the way here
I have DCs age 19, 11, 9, 3, 2 (couldnt afford them all at once and went back to work inbetween hence a couple of big gaps)
This will 100% be my last baby though, I am blessed
Due in September :)

[Donnadoon]

oh and as for your concerns about a large family...
the hardest shift was going from DC2 to DC3
After that they just slot in and becomes easy peasy
The expense for us is feeding them all and most time consuming is the washing
And some days I do feel worn out but I love it and Im extremely lucky to have a good DH

[BeauticianNotMagician81]

Donnadoon congratulations. I love your age gaps.

Although it's hard to entertain them all with big age gaps it's also quite nice as ds1 &2 do their own thing a lot of the time.

I hear you on the washing & I only have 3 at the moment. I have to monitor the wash basket as the older two tend to put clean clothes in for a wash as they are too lazy to put them away.

[Threefaries]

Hi Donna and Beutician. I'm expecting number four in August. My children are 10, 6, and nearly 3. I thought that I would get quite a few negative reactions but everyone is over the moon for me.

We are looking at a larger vehicle. They are so expensive. A lot of them have a rubbish boot space when the extra seats are used.

I'm not looking forward to the extra washing and will need to be less fussy with what I decide not to iron.

The pregnancy has still not sunk in. My children seem delighted and they don't seem bothered by a room share, room swap.

[BeauticianNotMagician81]

Hi Three we have had negative comments . Not really about having four but about them being all the same sex.

We have a Ford Galaxy. We only have one seat up at the back. So across the middle three seats we will have baby,ds2 and ds3 and ds1 in the back. Plenty of room. Runs well and is pretty cheap to run. Last MOT cost £44 as nothing wrong with it. I love it I actually find it easier to drive than our old scenic. I like being higher up in the car as I'm short.

[Havetobecrazytolivehere]

Hi, I'm expecting #4 in October, it still hasn't sunk in yet.
My dcs are 6.5, 4.5 and almost 2.

We haven't told anyone yet apart from a best friend each as we had an mc last year so still quite nervous.
I am expecting a lot of negative comments and am worried about how we will cope but also really excited about adding a new person to our family.
DH is a bit miffed he will have to buy "a van".
I already find it quite hectic with 3 but don't really know what I am letting myself in for!

[littleraysofsunshine]

We have a 5,3.5,2 yo olds and expecting baby number four in four and a half weeks!

[Stumbleine]

Hello .
I'm currently around 10 weeks with dc4. I have an 11, 9 and 3 year old. This was a bit of a shock and we aren't telling the dc until after scan. I too have been a bit worried about people's reactions but had a lovely response when we told Mum and sister!

[BeauticianNotMagician81]

Hi Have I'm not too worried about going from 3 to 4 as it can't be much different right? Yours are closer in age. I actually found my first two 17 months apart easier than I've found just having one. I think when they are close in age they tend to entertain each other more. Sorry to hear you had a mc fx for a happy, healthy & event free 9 months.

Welcome littleray well you're first so you will have to come back and give us all tips.

Welcome Stumbeline you have pretty much the same age gaps as me. My mum, sister & brother were great when I told them it's been the in laws that have been funny.

Does anyone know/finding out what they are having. I was in shock at first at having 4 boys as I'm such a girlie girl. Now it's sunk in there's something quite special about being the only princess in this house.

[Summerblaze100]

Hi.

I am currently around 5/6 weeks pg with #4. DD is nearly 12, DS1 is 8 and DS2 is nearly 4.

I am certain this will be our last as it took so long to convince DH that 4 would be a good idea that I won't have time for any more.

My concerns are fitting everything in. I have 2 small part time jobs, 2 voluntary positions and I am a bit of a neat freak so my house needs to be in order. Worried that 4 will and me over the edge and I won't get anything done.

We have a 7 seater car and a 4 bedroom house that can be altered to a 5 bedroom if room share doesn't work so I feel I have the practical stuff covered. I'm not thinking about the washing as it fills me with dread.

On the plus side my eldest has been going on about me having another baby so think she'll be happy when we tell her.

I've had 3 mc's before (1 in between dc1 & dc2 and 2 between dc2 and dc3) so I'm hoping this will be a sticky one.

[Donnadoon]

Congratulations everyone!
Re cars I was miffed when we had to go from a VW golf to a VW passat then we had to go to a VW caddy maxi 7 Seater and now we are getting a VW caravelle bus ha ha ha
I find the smaller age gaps easiest too because they have similar intrests and watch the same dvds etc

[DrAmandaBentley]

Hi everyone, I'm 19 weeks pregnant with DC4. My other three are aged 10, 6 and 2.

It took me a long while to accept this pregnancy (although funnily enough I always said I wanted 4 as a child). I think not only because it seems like a 'lot' of children, but also because I was worried about going back to work after the birth etc. and how difficult it's going to be juggling everything. I'm kind of in the 'take it one day at a time' frame of mind now, so a lot calmer.

My OH is also a bit annoyed about having to buy a 7-seater (he's more of a show off BMW type). We're currently looking at the Citroen Grand C4 Picasso.

So far this pregnancy seems easier than #3 so I'm quite pleased about that! Although I'm feeling extra tired recently. May need to start on the iron pills.

[Annabrooke90]

Hi, I'm 13 weeks with dc5. I have four boys ages 7, almost 5, 2 and 11 months. I haven't really told anyone yet because I'm really not wanting to deal with the negativity just yet...my parents dont even know. I have just passed my driving test so got a 7 seater car. I also start uni in September so going to be a tough time lol.

Congratulations to you all x

[Threefaries]

Hi have. My husband is looking at vans, we really like our present car too. I really hope that this is a sticky little baby for you.

Stumble, congratulations and lovely that your mum and sister are so happy for you. My pregnancy was a huge shock.

Beautician, I can see the comments coming. I have three girls and am already getting 'maybe this ones a boy' comments. I just know it's another girl and I really don't care what I get. I've had strangers come up to me and say rude things about having all same sex children. Good to hear that the Ford Galaxy works well for you. Do you manage to find room to take all the paraphernalia that having several children brings?

Donna, those VW busses look fab but a bit out of our price league as we committed to some pricy home improvements just before we found out about this baby.

Sorry for your losses Summer and fingers crossed for another sticky baby.

DrAmanda, I'm kind of taking things one day at a time. What will be will be and people always manage somehow. My husband is looking at all of the practicalities and worrying himself.

Anna, I hope you receive lots of positive reactions and people think before opening their mouths.

[BeauticianNotMagician81]

Summer fx for a sticky bean for you. We rent as still saving to buy it's going to take forever. We have 4 bedrooms. Ds1s bedroom is downstairs & tiny but enough for him to have his own space, ds2 has the box room and ds3 has a double room which he will eventually share with baby.

DrAmanda welcome. You get used to a 7 seater quickly I love mine now. I'm also in two minds about what to do with work. I've been offered a self employed position in a salon to take over but I will be better off money wise on mat leave as I won't have to pay out for childcare. I'm not sure what to do as I can't work & claim maternity allowance.

Anna welcome. What's life like with 4 boys. Very interested as that's what I will have. I do love having boys not sure if I'm just lucky but mine are so well behaved, loving and have great manners. They bicker of course usually over complete nonsense. I find them hard work to start then they get easier where as my friends with girls tell me they are much easier to start but get more difficult when older.

Three we looked at a Vauxhall zafira as well but they don't have enough boot with all the seats up. Ford Galaxy, vw sharan & Seat Alhambra are all the same design but different makes. I love ours I find it plenty big enough. Lots of storage and we have a nice big l shaped boot as only keep one seat up in the back. We've been on a UK holiday with a travel cot, pushchair & luggage in the back. We have an old 02 reg and like I said great little runner. We are going to upgrade to the newer model soon but we put it off being as the last mot was fine.

I'm going to start putting due month & how far I am at the end of posts so I can keep up.

July 22+3

[BeauticianNotMagician81]

How are you all? I'm on countdown to my midwife appt it feels so far away. Anyone else really out of breath all the time?

[lavenderpekins]

Hi this is a great idea. Can I join?
We're having a surprise 4th early October.. I'm shocked..

Have sold all our baby gear etc and our house is on the market..!

Timing..!

Ds1 will be 10, ds2 is 7 and dd1 will be 5.

[DrAmandaBentley]

Hi everyone,

Beautician - I get breathless quite a lot now. For some reason it seems to be one of my first pregnancy symptoms! I have my good and bad days with it, my GP said my iron levels were borderline, so hopefully I won't have to go on the dreaded pills.

Time seems to have moved quickly and is now slowing down again for me. 20 weeks on Saturday, this seems to have been my longest week yet! I have my anomaly scan next Wednesday and for some reason I'm feeling really nervous about it.

[babynumber3eek]

Hi,

I'm currently 31 weeks with my dc no4, although with my dh's sons it's dc no6 for our family!

I've just been diagnosed with GD and we're struggling q's my DH was hit by a car 3 weeks ago whilst crossing the road and is still in very serious condition in hospital. We aren't at all sure he'll be at the birth, which will be a CS in 6-7 weeks due to other medical complications! Expecting no4 is a blessing though in terms of being able to think positively about the future, even though I'm secretly terrified about how I'll cope with the birth/post cs bit on my own! My d existing dc are 19, 15 and 16 months xx

[BeauticianNotMagician81]

Lavender hello. There's never a right time is there. It's exciting. We are moving in two weeks. I'll be 24 weeks pregnant. We luckily have kept everything from ds3 who turns 3 in May and as we are having another boy it shouldn't be too costly. We have a 7 year age gap between ds2 and 3.

DrAmanda I had the breathlessness with ds1 but not as bad as this time. Maybe it's because I'm packing a few more lbs this time around. Hopefully I'm not low in iron. I hate iron tablets.
I was really nervous about my scan as it took us a long time to conceive this time so I kept thinking the worst but things seem to be progressing ok.

Hi baby so sorry to hear about your DH that's awful. I hope he makes a speedy recovery. Must be hard juggling everything on your own and having gd as well. Take time for yourself when you can.

I have bought a new pushchair. Those with a three year age gap anywhere do you think I will need a buggy board. I'm thinking ahead more to the school run when I will have 3 different drop offs in the morning.

[lavenderpekins]

Gosh baby so sorry to hear about your husband! Puts my worry to shame! Speedy recovery for him..
Thanks for the welcome beautician!

[Stumbleine]

Hi everyone. And congrats to all
It's good to see a few people with similar age gaps to me!

Re cars - we fortunately decided to plump for a VW Sharan before Christmas (very prophetic!)

We bought a 4 bed house last summer thinking how nice it will be for all dc to have their own rooms. Ha!
Still 2.5 weeks until my dating scan and it's dragging. I'm getting fed up of hiding from people! I also seem to have an everlasting cold/sinusitis which is making me feel a bit sorry for myself at the moment.

What are your thoughts about finding out the gender? I'm thinking I'll leave it as a surprise.

[Stumbleine]

Sorry baby have just seen your post. I'm sorry to hear about your Dh's accident.

[fanks]

Hi,
I'm 30 weeks pregnant with #4 have 3 girls a 9, 8 and 20 month old already.
Hoping going to 4 isn't going to be too tricky!! Have to say this pregnancy is tiring me out, chasing a toddler whilst huge is not fun.... Don't remember it being so bad last time, think it's my age!!!
We have a Volvo XC90 just brought as previously only had 5 seat! Love it very roomy, spent far too long viewing Cars.

[Annabrooke90]

Beautician, it's a tad chaotic but I wouldn't have it any other way...but they are all still quite young with 2 year and less age gaps, so that is expected. Ds2 is currently under assessments for ASD, so ds3 copies alot too. I find out what this baby is in 13 days hopefully...I'm impatient. I don't mind though either way. Think it just makes it feel more real as I'm still in shock lol.