3rd pregnancy and already feeling the wear and tear. Can't help wondering about women who have 10 pregnancies...

[allhailtheaubergine]

My coccyx, my lower back, my pelvis, my pelvic floor, my stomach muscles - I would definitely consider the effects of another pregnancy on my body and may well decide that 3 is enough times. Being pregnant takes its toll.

What about women who are pregnant and give birth 7, 8, 9, 10 times? Or even 20 times?

Do some people have a slightly easier time than others so don't feel so worn out by it? (I don't mean worn out emotionally, or tired, I mean my body can only stretch to the size of a small hotel and then expel something the size of a sofa through a hole the size of a nostril so many times).

Or do you get to a certain level of worn outness and then plateau?

Or are some people just absolutely knackered by repeated pregnancies? I am sure this must be true for some.

I'm thinking about both women who make the choice to have large families, and also women in developing countries who don't have much say in the matter.

[allhailtheaubergine]

Or maybe I'm just feeling this way because I'm pregnant and sore and limping and generally worn out. Maybe in 18 months I'll have recovered, be feeling fine and think a fourth is a great idea!

[Truffleshuffler]

I'm on my 3rd pregnancy and, all going well this will definitely be the last for me as my back is knackered from my 1st pregnancy. I don't know how people keep on having babies!

[icravecheese]

I'm 35wks with my 3rd. Found 1st trimester very knackering, then all seemed ok for months - in fact I just sort of got on with life & didnt really think too much about being pregnant - the midwife appts are so few & far between & you're so busy focusing on the kids.

However, I hit 30wks & suddenly really started to feel it! I have really achey & clunky hip joints, especially at night. It sometimes feels like my hips might dislocate, although I'm sure they won't (i hope!). And I was down on the playroom floor the other day with the kids & realised that I couldnt actually get up without looking like some sort of wierd old lady. I need a zimmerframe!!

Got ELCS booked this time (due to previous nasty tears) in just under 4 wks when i'll be 38+5, & I'm literally counting the days!!

My hubby is convinced I'm going to want a 4th when no3 is 18months or so....at the moment I'm saying NO WAY, but I have to admit I do wonder whether I might go for it again.....heaven help my poor knackered body!!

[BaldricksTurnip]

Oh my God this is my third pregnancy and my body is absolutely trashed! Luckily I'm now 38 weeks so almost at the end but this time has been a real struggle. Felt exhausted all the way through, especially in the first trimester. Got diagnosed with Hypermobility and SPD at 20 weeks. Can't drive, can't walk more than a slow hobble around the house. Back is unbelievably painful and clunky. Terrible heartburn, feel really breathless if I stand up for long. Oh and also really scary migraines where my vision goes weird and my face and fingers go numb. Nice! When this baby is here I'm going to be so relieved. I think the chances of a fourth baby at this point are slim to none- I want my body back!

[Firawla]

i've just had my 3rd and my body does feel knackered by it but i still want more. if you space them out its probably more likely to be okay i think, mine are each less than a yr between pregnancies and midwife gp etc do keep mentioning its much easier on your body if you space them out.

[BumpPlus2]

I am also pregnanct with DC3 (38 weeks) and although haven't had a particulary hard time of it, in comparison to my other 2 PG's this is definitely the hardest!
Morning sickness massively worse, tiredness at start and end worse, restlessness at night worse, awful lower backache requiring corset type support from about 30 weeks also varicose veins in unmentionnable places to really rub salt in the wound...
Who knows how much of this is to do with 3rd time my body has done this or doing it again whilst racing around after 2 active toddlers and only sitting down after 7pm though!!

[BaldricksTurnip]

Agree about spacing the babies out. My oldest is only 3.5, second is 19mo then this one. If we did want another one it would have to be after I've had a few years rest!

[allhailtheaubergine]

Mine are reasonably saced - 2 years between 1 and 2, and there will be 4 years between 2 and 3. Am still knackered though!

[allhailtheaubergine]

Spaced, not saced.

[TooImmature2BDumbledore]

I'm on DC2, but with only 3 months between pregnancies. I'm 10 weeks and can already feel the SPD beginning (it didn't hit until about week 34 last time). I don't regret this pregnancy at all and I know I want more, but I'm definitely going to need a much longer break before doing it again!

[becks130]

I'm 34 weeks and on my 3rd pregnancy, I am really feeling it now! This has been by far my easiest as I suffered sever SPD in my 1st and high blood pressure in my 2nd and this one has been ok apart from insomnia BUT because of the previous blood pressure issues I am made to go to the hospital every week for checks which is really taking it out od me, especially as my dd is only 19 months old!

I really don't think my body or purse for that matter! could cope with any more babies after this, I now feel that my family will be complete

[lucamom]

I had the very same conversation with hubby this morning - how do people physically cope with loads of pregnancies when I feel so rubbish?!

I'm 34 wks with number 3, first child was only 9mths when I was pregnant with 2, so this time have left a 3 year gap, and although pelvis/back problems started later, they're still very much a problem and one of the deciding factors in no more babies!

I guessed that age is the biggest factor. I was 31 when I had my first, and now at 36 my body is obviously not as fit as if I'd started knocking them out in my early 20's!

[largeginandtonic]

Stop your bloody moaning the lot of you

I am on pregnancy number 8.

I am absolutely farcking knackered. Have had spd in pregnancy since dc5. Starts at about 23 weeks. I am a crippled most day's, hobble to the school run and in and out the car a bit. Luckily have a fantastic dh who takes over most things when he is home.

He is RN so usually barely see's a pregnancy, this time he has been here for it all bar a few weeks here and there.

I have horrid morning, noon and night sickness too for first 14-17 weeks.

Yet here i am...doing it all again. You lot saying i may NEVER do it again will...Tis the gorgeous babies and hilarious child antics that drag you back. I am on my last. 8 and OUT for me.

[spannermary]

My nana (great-grandma) had her 18th baby in 1947 at the grand old age of 45. She was 4'11'' & had size 2 feet. They were all born at home (in the welsh valleys) & they only got the doc in once - for a breech birth. She must've been a bloody legend! I'm 34, pregnant for the 1st time and totally in awe of her...

[largeginandtonic]

< trumped by Great Grandma Spanner >

I am in awe of her too

[TheNationalTruss]

But ginny, you make remarkable children. It would be a crime not to have hundreds. You're doing a public service. Granted I only have 2 but the 2nd pregnancy was almost easier. The birth recovery is NOT.

[GirlWithTheMouseyHair]

oh my god I'm only one number 2 and DC1 was 27months when I got pregnant again so enough of a gap I thought. Last time was easy peasy...this time I am wrecked and have been since 15weeks...can honestly not get over how much tougher this pregnancy has been. Not fair.

I am only 30weeks!

[MrsPlugThePlumber]

I'm considering number 3 and wishing I had NOT clicked on this thread!

[MissRee]

I can't possibly comment on subsequent pregs but I wonder whether age has anything to do with it? I ask because I know a girl who is 24, has 5 children (she started v young) and breezes through pregnancy!!!! Always regains her size 8 figure after and doesn't understand why people make such a big deal about preg/childbirth!!! Maybe she's just lucky tho

Ria x

[largeginandtonic]

Why thank you National BUT you make adorable children too and surely it would be a crime not to keep going?

The recovery does suck. Especially when they chop you in half to get them out. Sit on your bum with gingerbread and boy.

Ria it was easier when i was younger (started at 21) so could be my age hampering me now. Tbh i just think it is a knackered body throwing a hissy fit. Am listenting now!

[Dirtydishesmakemesad]

I am on dc5 and the first four pregnancoes have been pretty much the same i was no more uncomfortable with dc4 than dc1. Cant speak for dc5 yeat as am only 16 weeks so have probably cursed myself by saying that. I did have problems with bp with dcs2 and 3 but not so much dcs 1 and 4 so number of pregancies doesnt seem to have affected that much.

Having said that i was 21 for dc1 and am still only 28 now so perhaps if i had been older i would have felt more achey? I know a friend of mine who has 2 had hers starting at 34 and the next a coupke of years later and she DID seem to have alot more backache etc.

[juuule]

My 9th pregnancy and delivery was one of the easiest (I was almost 44).
I struggled a bit with recovery after my 4th but that was possibly because I had 3 in 2 and half years. And I found the end of the 7th pregnancy more difficult than the others, too, for some reason.
I was lucky in that I never had morning sickness but I did get 1st trimester headaches and I had several m/cs.
I think it's just the luck of the draw in some cases. All you can do is get yourself into the best health you can before pregnancy and then hope for the best.

[Valiant1]

I don't have many friends now but the few that i have got say to me "NO MORE" and i wonder why as i am only on number 5 .... although o i do look and feel like the bowling ball i have wedged between my legs is falling out i am 37+4 now so not long ;)