Has anyone managed to surprise their desire for another baby by...

[AgrippinaT]

... working in maternity care; midwifery, or maternity healthcare worker etc?

Just curious

*suppress! Not 'surprise' ha!

its different when they're your own though or in a normal setting. its really not comparable the roles of mother and the proffesional roles of which you describe are very different.

Very true. I'd just like to work with women and children. I'm rather fed up of working in education now.

My degree and post grad are totally unrelated so I'm aware it would be a case of starting from the bottom.

Lots to think about!

Have you considered being a nanny

OP why do you feel you need to suppress your desire for another baby? I'm too old to have anymore. I have two and would love another, but I'm now in my forties and don't want to risk it. But any particular reason why you won't have another? My stepmother was a midwife and only had one child. Wanted more but husband said no. She did get enormous satisfaction from her job. Absolutely loved newborns. And then such pleasure from her biological and step grandchildren. All of which she treated the same.

I've looked after babies for years. I get the benefits from sniffing their lovely baby smell, marvel over their tiny selves, their absolute perfectness, but as a mother of 3 I can tell you, its different.
Lovely, but different.

@LovelyTeePee that's sad that you didn't get to have any more babies; I can understand your reasons for not pursuing more. I will be 35 this year and don't want to leave it too late.

I suppose it's just that feeling and desire that I cannot shake off. Believe me I've tried... for the past 3 years! I would like to have a big family. I am also fed up of the state of the educational system, and being micromanaged with no support. I think it's time for a change career wise.

The reasons why we haven't committed to having another are the usual things; money, changing car, bedrooms in the house (everyone has their own at the moment, although I have an office which could be converted).

@Overeaction I also have 3 children, ages 12, 10 and 6 so not am I entering into this blind. I would love to work with babies and smell that delicious newborn aroma!