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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to feel unsure about continuing an unexpected third pregnancy?

162 replies

Turtleseas · 16/09/2026 17:37

My husband had some medical treatment which at that time, the doctor said would make most people infertile, we stopped contraception but two years later, I unexpectedly found I’m pregnant. We already have two primary school aged children. I really don’t know if I should carry on with the pregnancy or give it up.

Financially, we are in the process of moving houses. We will spend next three years building our dream house, so the cash flow will be tight for the next couple of years. We will ultimately have enough bedrooms but not for two/three years. We have big enough cars. Both our children go to private school, but we don’t think we can afford the third child’s school fees. DH suggested taking children out of private school and send all three to state school if we have the third baby, I feel very reluctant about that.

Travel is another thing. We go travel a lot, normally a luxury holiday every year and then several package holidays. Annual travel cost is about 40k to 50k. As a lot of hotel rooms don’t accommodate 2 adults 3 children, having a third baby means booking an extra room or suite. The travel cost will at be doubled, we will need to either book cheaper holidays or have less holidays.

We have almost zero family help. So previously we paid for nannies and babysitters to go through the difficult baby times. With a new baby, we will need some form of paid help to start with, but my main worry is once baby turn two and has his/her own needs, we just won’t have enough helping hands to sort out all the logistics.

We do spend a lot of time with our children. One of them needs some extra support. At the moment we can still handle all the bills from doctor appointments and therapy sessions. NHS waiting time is like one year and they won’t provide therapies to kids who go to independent school. So we have to pick up expensive bills. At home support is also very important apart from specialist therapies. So I also worry with a new baby we won’t have enough time and energy for my current children. Or even worse, what if the new baby also had special needs?

So sensibly we feel our current family is complete. The children live a happy and luxury life. Having another sibling might mean less going out, less holidays, less attention from parents or even changing schools for them. But termination is also the most difficult decision that a woman could ever make.

OP posts:
Lmnop22 · 16/09/2026 20:20

Turtleseas · 16/09/2026 18:05

The “selfish” word does come in my mind! If it’s our first baby I would definitely consider it’s a minor sacrifice. But now it means changing the lifestyle for my 2 DC. My oldest is constantly asking where we go on holiday next. I don’t know how they will respond when they are old enough to figure out it’s their younger sibling make their lifestyle change. Will there be any resentment?

I’m one of three and we travelled a lot as kids/teenagers. Once your older ones are a little older they won’t want to share with mum and dad anyway and you will likely have two rooms at that stage anyway. There are also options like villas and air bnbs etc etc. I also reckon your DC will love their sibling enough that they won’t resent them for something like that.

Obviously if you just don’t want another child that’s completely fine and is your choice but I worry you’ll regret not continuing with the pregnancy if you base it on reasons like this when, in a few years, these burdens will likely come anyway with 2 DC and will be much less prominent once new baby is older.

Only you know what’s right for your family and it’s a tough decision OP and I feel for you

Timeforachange26 · 16/09/2026 20:05

Bitsostuff · 16/09/2026 18:56

That's only really relevant if you're sometimes in favour of forced birth. The right to choose doesn't hinge on wealth or circumstance, not wanting a pregnancy for any reason is enough.

Exactly. Why should any woman be forced to continue a pregnancy for whatever reason

PrincessDonutTheQueenAnneChonk · 16/09/2026 19:54

I'm sorry your thread went to hell OP and I wouldn't blame you if you don't come back, you don't need to defend your choices they're no ones buisiness.

What a fucking shocking attitude some of you have to another woman, just as bad as Trump and the other americans who think your body their choice. I hope none of you have daughters to guilt into having children they don't want. Vile.

AutumnBarbie · 16/09/2026 19:54

NC.
Having had a third with same sort of age gap I'd say don't do it. Everything is so much harder and our lives would be very different with the two. If you are having doubts, which you are, then don't do it.

Ralstan · 16/09/2026 19:42

TheRealWhacker · 16/09/2026 19:34

On the holiday topic, if you can afford £50k on holidays are you really going to want to keep sharing one room with your kids as they get older? You’ll probably end up paying for two rooms anyway.

Exactly. Totally agree with you. I holiday several times a year in 5 star hotels and my ds has his own room. I spend nowhere near 50k. Bizarre 😱

Hankunamatata · 16/09/2026 19:37

Reading your description. You dont want this pregnancy.
You dont have to justify or find a reason to terminate. Do whats right for you.

usererror99 · 16/09/2026 19:36

Personally I’d choose my miracle baby over a few luxury holidays

Sassoon · 16/09/2026 19:36

I think you’d be mad to have another. There are no good reasons to actually do it.

TheRealWhacker · 16/09/2026 19:34

On the holiday topic, if you can afford £50k on holidays are you really going to want to keep sharing one room with your kids as they get older? You’ll probably end up paying for two rooms anyway.

Scout2016 · 16/09/2026 19:33

If not wanting to downgrade your holidays feels like such a concern then I suggest you don't want this pregnancy and shouldn't have the child.
If you wanted the baby then that sort of thing wouldn't be a concern, you wouldn't think twice about a camping in Wales over luxury abroad.
That's OK, your family is complete and you like life the way it is. It's fine to feel that and worse to have a child you might regret and a life you don't want.

Ralstan · 16/09/2026 19:32

If you were sure you didn't want anymore children it was a bit silly to stop using contraception because your husband. 'Might' be infertile.

Look im totally pro choice. Its your decision. You don't need anyone on here to tell you what to do.

However you are obviously intelligent enough to know you will get some pretty shitty responses considering an abortion cos you will have to stop spending 50k a year on holidays when many people on here live off half that. Oh and not being able to afford school fees for one more. But this you know.

Bitsostuff · 16/09/2026 19:30

Whyhaveibeencutoutofmamsnot · 16/09/2026 19:23

It is you who are saying OP will regret keeping the child and to dispose of it.
I said will she regret.
I was in the position of the older children DM did not want children but wanted the high life and holidays.

I'm not saying that the OP will regret having another child or that she'd regret a termination. I'm saying that that's unknowable to anyone other than the OP and possibly even to her at the moment.

But it really pisses me off when people warn that a woman may regret a termination but not that they may regret having another child. Especially as the latter is far more harmful.

Redhotspicywine · 16/09/2026 19:28

My third has brought so much joy to our lives and we manage private school and holidays. We have two or three holidays a year but spend nowhere near £50k.

Do t underestimate how much joy your children will get from another sibling. Ours is the light of her siblings life

HRHCurmudgeon · 16/09/2026 19:27

There is no morality attached to a termination of pregnancy - only choice. Every child born should be wanted and If a pregnant woman doesn’t want the child, she should have the right to terminate for any reason she likes.

Edit for a typo. And also to add, I think your reasons are perfectly valid OP, because they are your reasons.

OsfameronTanamoril · 16/09/2026 19:25

OP, why not call BPAS and get some counselling.
I am too old to get pregnant now but if I had got pregnant with a third child, I would have terminated even though we could have easily afforded three children and I am pretty healthy. For the simple reason that I didn't want three children. That's a good enough reason.

aliceyyyy2654 · 16/09/2026 19:24

OrlaOrka · 16/09/2026 19:22

there is a such a huge ethical consideration here, nobody is saying because other people experience infertility that abortions shouldn’t happen, but to terminate a pregnancy over something as trivial as affording holidays is a real dystopian attitude, I’m pro choice but surely choice has to come with morality too

You aren’t pro choice then. Pro choice means pro CHOICE and it is OPs choice.

Whyhaveibeencutoutofmamsnot · 16/09/2026 19:23

Bitsostuff · 16/09/2026 18:49

How can you possibly know how the OP will feel in 20 years? Far better to regret an termination than a live birth.

It is you who are saying OP will regret keeping the child and to dispose of it.
I said will she regret.
I was in the position of the older children DM did not want children but wanted the high life and holidays.

Summer26woohoo · 16/09/2026 19:23

Travel is another thing. We go travel a lot, normally a luxury holiday every year and then several package holidays. Annual travel cost is about 40k to 50k. As a lot of hotel rooms don’t accommodate 2 adults 3 children, having a third baby means booking an extra room or suite. The travel cost will at be doubled, we will need to either book cheaper holidays or have less holidays

Have a termination for any reason you choose - you don't have to justify it. BUT you are catastrophising. Taking five people abroad is absolutely not 'double' the cost of four. Even when you find somewhere that requires two rooms.

We have 3 dc and accomodation wise, it definitely can be a PITA. You have to look harder and some options won't be options anymore. But it's still 'fine' and if I had to estimate, i'd say you end up paying about 30% more for 5 than 4. Nowhere near double.

aliceyyyy2654 · 16/09/2026 19:22

OrlaOrka · 16/09/2026 19:17

I’m amazed so many posters are on board with this? surely because you might not to be able to afford as much luxury cannot be a legit reason for termination? What? An actual baby that so many people would LOVE to have you’re considering throwing away over private school fees and holidays? Wow

Edited

Whether other people would ‘love’ a child or not has no bearing here.

OrlaOrka · 16/09/2026 19:22

there is a such a huge ethical consideration here, nobody is saying because other people experience infertility that abortions shouldn’t happen, but to terminate a pregnancy over something as trivial as affording holidays is a real dystopian attitude, I’m pro choice but surely choice has to come with morality too

aliceyyyy2654 · 16/09/2026 19:21

OP I sympathise with your situation but only YOU can decide what to do. I wouldn’t think posting here is a good idea because you’re going to get trolls making rude and hateful comments which aren’t constructive.

OsfameronTanamoril · 16/09/2026 19:19

Unbelievable comments on here. So OP must have a baby she doesn't want because other people are infertile?
Wow.
Have I strayed onto the Vatican message board?

OrlaOrka · 16/09/2026 19:17

I’m amazed so many posters are on board with this? surely because you might not to be able to afford as much luxury cannot be a legit reason for termination? What? An actual baby that so many people would LOVE to have you’re considering throwing away over private school fees and holidays? Wow

Viviennemary · 16/09/2026 19:17

It all depends on your attitude to abortion. It must be easier when you don't feel unsure.

OsfameronTanamoril · 16/09/2026 19:16

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Oh well. If you don't want an abortion don't have one.
Though OP has not used it as contraception.
OP, you don't seem like you want another baby. Neither would I. In your place, I would terminate.