Unexpectedly pregnant with number 3. Please help

[user1466690252]

This morning I found out I am pregnant unexpectedly. I am on the pill but clearly somethings gone wrong somewhere. We have 2 children 6 and 2. I found the jump from 1 to 2 children huge and it knocked me for 6. I am shaking. Financially we will be fine to accommodate another child, but I’m not sure emotionally I can do it. I’m
Interested to hear how a third baby fits in to the family Dynamic and is it as hard as 2 children.

My third was born when DC were 7 and 5 so bigger age gaps. I was also on my own due to ExH leaving and choosing to be NC with me and baby

A sling saved my life for school runs as DC3 was a Velcro baby.

I found 1-2 harder than 2-3. But it’s different for everyone. I was more confident with DC3.

Congratulations! I remember being really scared too. I couldn’t imagine how to do it. All I can say as I wish we kept going for number 4 but we stopped at three. The adjustment was big but the gap between my kids was smaller. It just worked out somehow. Yes I was tired but actually mine all slept prett well. I did have PND (from previous babies) but got counselling and that helped when I had number 3. You can do it. I wouldn’t change it for the world and I wish had more kids. Congratulations!!

Yes ^^ to being more confident as previous poster. Baby number 3 teaches you that you don’t need much baby stuff and to keep it very simple. Third babies just fit in around everything else going on.

I’ve been there!! Three kids under 4 here at one point, youngest born 12 months after middle one.
You just get on with it till you get used to it I guess. Definitely more relaxed with third, despite additional needs.
Now 11, 8 and 7. Busy but fun and they are good friends. Because they are all at school together they know each other’s friends/ siblings friends etc which gives a fantastic sense of community.
Vest of luck op and congratulations on your pregnancy. Cxx

So, BEST of luck, clearly!!
And yes, wouldn’t change a thing.

Thank you. I’m crying now. Oh good god this was not part of the plan. I really don’t know what to say I feel numb. It’s such a shock

My 3rd is 4 weeks old, two years between each of the kids. I am really, really tired, and the pregnancy was awful, but I’m still dreaming of a 4th! The older kids have welcomed their new sibling so, so sweetly, and I feel very content.
I think you might find your 2-3 jump easier than 1-2 as, with the age gaps you have, you’re not so far out of the baby stage this time round?

I had my third in September. I have a five year old and a two year old. I genuinely find three easier than two! I think there's less time to stress and even more love. It's amazing having three! Congratulations! It's a big shock, the pregnancy might be difficult with two to care for, but it's so worth it!

Yes that’s true. It was a big shock going back to the baby stage, we are still in it really so won’t be such a change

I was in your position, mine were 2+3 when I found out I was expecting again. I was horrified, terrified even. I was brought up Catholic and always very against abortion, but believe me I considered it. I had a feeling of dread throughout my pregnancy, however when she was born, I absolutely loved her instantly. She is 20 months now and I feel so guilty every day for how I felt, she has just completed our family, the other dc adore her. We always say we can't believe we didn't know that we needed her, it's really strange.
At the time when I found out I was having her I honestly felt like my world was falling apart I didn't have any idea how I'd cope, I have anxiety as well you see, but it's been a million times easier than I anticipated. And my dh only had two days of paternity leave!
You have to make a decision that's right for you, but you really can do this.
Congratulations.

I hope you are ok? I found going from one to two really hard, but two to three was much easier. I remember clearly a moment when, realising I was outnumbered meant I could stop being so hard on myself.

With three, everyone has someone. I found that when 1&2 had a nap, I had time with 3 (I had three in three years so different set up). 1&2 have each other when you are looking after 3.

The benefits of 6/7 years between oldest and youngest will mean when your baby is the current age of your oldest, oldest will (hopefully) be in a position to mind them. It won’t be like it is now.

Thank you all. Your all making me feel so much better. How do you cope practically. I will need 3 car seats in the car?! I cannot thank you enough you are all really helping

Three car seats across the back, oldest in the middle.
Sling/buggy/buggy board combo. Double buggy was my preferred mode of transport.
Online shopping. Delivery pass so you can have two deliveries a week.
Play dates for your oldest. Oddly I found it easier when they had a friend over. Not for the toddler. That way madness lies.
Your oldest is at an age where they can be quite helpful to you and your toddler.
Mine are all older now (and there’s a fourth). I love having a houseful of these teenagers/young adults. A full dinner table, music coming from their rooms, mates round. Much disappearing to their rooms. And still, everyone has someone.
The baby years are such a small part of it. It’s really bloody hard work, but worth it.

A tentative ‘congratulations’.

When you have three you do everything but one time more. So three seatbelts/car seats. Three children to watch at play group. Three kids to get safely across the road. Going from one to two is a big shock as you're doubling the workload and having to learn to juggle children. You've already got that skillset, so you're just increasing it again a little. Way less of a learning curve.

Thank you, that’s a good way of thinking about it. I don’t feel anywhere near as panicked, it still doesn’t feel real but I don’t think it’s a disaster

Same here, mine are 3 and 18 months, found out 10 days before Christmas that no3 is on it's way! Not planned, in shock and shaking all morning. However, practicality has taken over now, yours are a bit older so I'm guessing the car seats won't be so bulky, most cars can fit 3 across the back and there are some narrower seats available. You already have all the stuff, you've done it before, you can do it again. I think apart from practical points like fitting seats in cars and having more children than hands, it can't be any harder than 1 - 2. Good luck

First off, congratulations! I bet that’s a big shock but having recently have my 3rd (other two are 4 and 2) I can honestly say this is the best one! Going from 1 to 2 was really hard. More than double the effort I’d say (at the beginning). Going from 2 to 3 has been waaaay easier. I’m less worried about the impact on the others, I’m more relaxed, more confident, more experienced so less worried about everything in general. I’ve become more organised out of necessity and nothing has had to give (except the usual mythical ‘me time’). I enlist my other two to help as much as possible, even if it’s thibgs like ‘pass me the nappies/wipes/remote’ etc. Baby is happy and patient (most of the time) watching all the commotion as I run after the other 2 trying to get them ready. As long as he is clean and fed I don’t really have to worry about much else as he has to fit in with the routine of school/nursery drops etc. The more people I meet with 3 all day the same thing (whether planned or not), they’ve enjoyed baby #3 the most!

@user1466690252
You do have options, if you really don't want to go ahead. Don't forget that xx