To ask why you have just one child?

I am so so sorry. What a shit hand of cards you have been handed.

Shit maternity care, nearly died in child birth, daughter nearly died from an avoidable infection. Then no support afterwards.

Didn’t fancy my chances of not dying a second time.

Husband was utterly against another one. We split up when child was 2.5 and I'm now in a SS relationship and it was too much money and never the right time to do IVF, and now we're both too old!

Age and miscarriage

7 years to make the one we do have, and by then nearly 42. Too worried about what might go wrong, due to my age.

Because she was such a horrendous sleeper and generally so difficult that by the time I felt even able to contemplate another, she was about 3 and by that time
the age gap was too big and it didn’t feel like there was much point.

He’s 6 and still comes into our bed at night and wakes super early! Lack of sleep has been a shocker for me!

We didn’t get any support and I struggled mentally the first few years.

I’m 37 now and definitely feel it’s too late as would worry even more so about another baby having health issues.

If we were to have done it, we would have done it 2-3 years ago when they were closer in age but now I’m happy he’s growing up and becoming more independent.

Because I didn’t even want one - that was an accident.

Why are you asking OP?

What's with the "just"? That implies we don't have enough children from the very start. But since you asked:

Didn't like being pregnant and didn't want to do it again. Decided to quit while I was ahead with no birth injuries

DH would have been at least 40 by the time we had a second one which we considered too old.

Expense

House too small

I am and was the main breadwinner so having another lot of maternity leave wasn't an option

Nowadays I'd add environmental issues to it but that wasn't in my head 20 years ago.

I want to add to my reasons because the thread got me thinking. I have one other sibling, if my DM had a choice there would have been a third child, health issues meant that wasn't possible. Even without my sibling I doubt my childhood would have been much different. I want my son to have everything I didn't have. The choice of school trips and clubs, to buy his first car, contribute to lessons, let him stay home rent free while he saves a deposit. I can't do all of that for two. I'm already making sacrifices to make it possible for one.
I want him to have the opportunities of his peers, to go further than I did, to feel secure and independent. Because when im gone he'll need to be.

Thank you for this thread, OP! I haven’t yet RTFT but I too am glad it hasn’t been hijacked in the usual way.

In my case, traumatic early birth with a serious complication that could recur if we tried again. Despite that I’d love another - but pandemic and various family stresses got in the way, husband now not keen for another, and the risk remains. Oh and I’m now 43.

I know I’m very lucky to have the brilliant kid I have, and I love having a sidekick as a someone said above.

That if anything was to happen they'll have no kids?

I also remind my daughter to be careful as "we don't have a back up plan"! woah don't put that on her even in jest!

My husband already has a child from a previous marriage and we have one together. He says that's enough for him and I agreed as I had a really rough pregnancy. Now my little girl is here I wish he would change his mind because I just love her and I want to duplicate her into another little cute bundle.

Traumatic birth
My age
Cost
Why rock the boat

Because I only wanted one.

To add to mine, i feel i'm a better mum to 1,i think i would have been too stretched with anymore. I love her more than words can say and love we can give her so much, more than i had as a child.
She's sociable so has lots of friends and never struggles to make a friend on holiday.
I also fought like crazy with my brother as children and aren't close now and didn't want to risk that for her, my mum was always stressed breaking up arguments.
I'm so so sorry to all of you who have struggled to be where you are and i hope things have/do improve

Same. I think alot is expected of women and expecting them to have more kids than they want is stupid. I say if you want me to have more you pay for them and do the weekends.

I only wanted one. A girl. I got what I wanted. Job done. I have neither the time, energy or finances for any more. Also I don't know how you pick your favourite when you have multiple kids! People try to assure me it's not an issue...but I know!
If people are rude enough to ask/comment I simply say "we got it right first time!" I also remind my daughter to be careful as "we don't have a back up plan"!
I honestly don't see the point in having more than one - women who do seem absolutely frazzled! Know your limits, is what I say. Have one, have none, have six but know what you can cope with.

I was never maternal and always said I wouldn't have children. I found my childhood very tough and didn’t want to put someone else through that experience. Then got unexpectedly pregnant 😢

Because I had no desire to have any more, it's that simple.

Always wanted 2 but it took nearly 2 years of trying before we had DS. Had some complications in pregnancy, anaemia, gestational diabetes, hip pain. Had high blood pressure after giving birth which was a bit frightening. DS was a terrible sleeper and at 3 still won’t sleep through. Plus I’m 40 this year. We made the decision to stick with one as I don’t know if I’d manage going through another pregnancy and the newborn stage with DS. He’s a delight and is full of energy and mischief enough for 2 kids. We love him so much and it is all starting to get easier so we are happy we’ve now decided not to have another