How many babies would you have if

[Lelophants]

You didnt have to worry about money, space or your age. I think I’d want 4, maybe 5. I love pregnancy and birth (even though I had c sections) so much and when you first see them. 🥺 Plus babies, gahh. Amazing. And I love watching them grow, even when Im so unbelievably overwhelmed.

So in my dream world Id be a sahm, enormouse house with big bedrooms, multiple holidays a year and a nanny for when Im stressed or want to work for fun (obviously!)

Obviously real life means most of us can’t do that!

On average it pretty much is.

I wanted 3, ideally; then it took me 6 losses before my daughter was born, and when I was pregnant with her I had horrific SPD and kidney infection after kidney infection, carrying her slipped a disc, I got double pleurisy and then a uterine infection, sepsis, and had a seizure on the table whilst my c section was being done.

So with all the time and money in the world it would still be never, ever again.

Two and even if I won the lottery I would stick at Two. Two is perfect number in my opinion.

I've 3 and think I'd have another one or even 2 at a push, if my husband was on board. I find having babies addictive and see my kids like a box of chocolates; they are all the same brand and from the same box but with different centres. They are like my own little collection of dollies that talk and make me laugh. I love being a mum and I love having kids. I'dprobably end up like one of those "21 and Counting" types who have a baby a year for 20 years.

1, I only ever wanted 1.
She's 24 now and I'm 47 and I have no regrets.

I’d have had 3 , dh only wanted 1 so we compromised on 2.

Babies? Endless. Love babies 🥺

Children? I currently have 1, and want 2. If I was rich, maybe 3, but it's a huge maybe.

I’ve got 2 and I think I would have had another one at least if money was no object

but house/car/childcare/maternity leave made me stop at 2

I have 3 and if money was no object - meaning we could get a bigger house, car, could work very part time etc. then I'd have 4.

2 I think, maybe 3 but probably I would stop at 2.

It’s hard being a mum even with money and space.

I also loved pregnancy and birth.
I would have 2. It's enough.
They both get plenty of attention and 1 on 1 time. There's enough time left for me to have time to myself sometimes.

Definitely 4 or 5 if house and money weren't an issue. Love big families x

Four. I have four and wouldn't want more or less.

I have 2 (big age gap due to secondary infertility so was too old for more). Used to wish had had more, ideally 4, two boys, two girls.

More than a decade on from youngest's birth I'm SO GLAD I have just two. Mentally, emotionally, financially, two suits our life. Four would be draining the life blood from me. I'm not the most naturally maternal but I've done my best. I just wasn't prepared for the different ways they need you in their teens and early 20s and it's not like the nursery years where anyone can shake a tambourine or stick a bottle in their gob. Once they're older they don't need you as often but only mum (or dad) will do. I'm happy and proud to be there doing it but omg it's hard.

10 years ago I’d have said 3, money was the main thing that restricted us to 2. But now we have teens I am very grateful we have 2 and realise that raising children is much more than simply providing for them. I would have spread myself too thin raising 3, I am pleased with the amount of time I can commit to my 2 and the 1:1 time I get with them both. I think children of families with 1 or 2 children have richer childhoods (or at least mine have than if I had an additional one), that might be a bit controversial but it’s genuinely how I feel now I am in the autumn of my child raising years, maybe I will change my mind again in future, teens are much more time intensive than I ever expected!

I have two, and we both work and live in London etc etc. Two is plenty for this life, would be stretched for more

But if I were proper fuck off rich, with country estate/nannies/holidays, I'd happily have had 5 or 6. Loved pregnancy and babies, love little kids, think it's amazing seeing these little people grow, love the idea of wild mad house of kids. But only a big enough house and with the time!!

I had 3, and that was enough for me. I’d have had smaller age gap in ideal world.

Probably 3 - I'm one of 3, and I found pregnancy pretty easy, but childcare, and having to have a bigger house and car meant I didn't want to go for more than 2. As it was I think we got lucky and both were easy babies, toddlers, and, thus far, teens - a third might have been trying our luck!

If I still had to be sensible about quality time etc., I'd either stick with 2 or maybe push it to 3.

But in a completely hypothetical world where everything just works out.... 10? I love being a mum and I'd do it over and over again if it wouldn't negatively affect my existing children.

1, it's the best thing ever. He has benefitted so much from being an only and getting all my time and attention. I have benefited so much from him not having a sibling to argue and fight with!

I would never have more than 2 regardless of how much money I had

Have 2 now and nothing would tempt me to have a third. Pregnancy is shit and I find the newborn stage really really hard. Love them to bits but never again!

I've got 3 who are nearly grown (2 years apart each). Part of me thinks if money and age didn't exist I'd start again and have three more. But then I'm sure I'm looking back with rose tinted specs and it was bloody hard work when they were little. But I also loved it and I miss those days. I loved being pregnant and having a baby.

With no HG I would have had 4, with all the money time and youth in the world 6. God I just love babies and little children and mid sized ones and teenagers, these lovely young adults are pretty great too 😂I am now hoping for grandma time 😂

4 but only in a world where I didn't feel sick as a dog for 5 months each pregnancy! I have 2 and I feel lucky to have them.