How many children would you have ideally?

[AWitchCalledMeg]

I mean ideally as in no time/age/money/fertility/cultural conventions/partner/lack of support etc barriers. How many would you have/have had?
For me.. about 6 or 7. I have two and one on way but have always loved the idea of big family.

Probably 4. Have 1. Had a horrendous time in hospital (understaffed, uncaring and incompetent) and would never willingly go back again so don't plan to have another, as much as I'd like to.

As in age that felt to late Laurel.,, I'm 39 , I had my first at 17 so she is almost 22 so I feel old . Lots of my friends had there first in there mid to late 30,s so are very different from me . I had my last at 29 and felt old then so going back looks impossible to me.

5 and I have 5.
When my last dc was born I knew I didn't want anymore 2.5 years later I still don't want anymore.

I would like a 3rd but I have no family support, husband works irregular 12/13/8/10 hour shifts & he is pretty useless with kids under the age of 3.

Wanted 4, have 4. Only 3 living at home though, which makes me want a fifth 🙄 we're sticking at 4!

I'd like 3. I have 1, but I'm 35 and sooo single it's not even funny.

If I'm still single at 38 though I'm going it alone for 1 more. DS is 10 but still wants to be a big brother more than anything and really doesn't care about age gaps. He's amazing with his toddler cousins so I know he'd be a fab brother.

3 or 4 (I have 2). I would have had to have started earlier and been a more capable mother though, and the world would need to be less populated and - had i had this many - I'd regret the loss of my career and would always be worried about money. And holidays abroad would be a distant memory and sometimes I'd resent that.

Maybe 2's not so bad.

One. I have none.

Ideally 2 or even 3 if money/life had allowed.

Circumstances have left it as just me and my son which will have to be enough for me.

None, which is what I have

Wanted 2 originally - ideally a girl and a boy. Got 3 crazy boys.
Our plans changed as we went along. After ds2 I was incredibly broody. After ds3 I have never felt remotely broody again as I feel like my family is all here now.
I still think 2 would have been the 'head' decision. We work silly hours and have very little help, 2 have some additional needs which can make life pretty challenging. But 3 was the heart decision and the moments when they are all together (and not killing each other!!) are worth all the difficulties.

3 we have 2. Too old to have any more

3 I have 2. I'm 39 and my partner doesn't want anymore

I'm pregnant with number one, always said I would like to have two. Hate being pregnant though so may just be sticking with one. If we did have another it would be the last though.

Before I had dcs I wanted 3. I have 2 and that's my new ideal.

If I had enough money to pay for a housekeeper and a nanny, was guaranteed easy pregnancies and labours with no chance of PND and lots if close family support I would have 3. As it is we have one and sticking with that.

1. I have 2. I'd love more, but DH only wanted 1, so 2 is already a compromise.

1. Only have one because of secondary infertility.

5
2 boys
2 girls
1 either

I don't mind pregnancy/birth but I'd want a nanny!

A lot of posters mention age as a factor that's put them off having more even if they've wanted them - can I be nosy and ask what age felt too late?

I had my kids later (DS at 38, DD at 40). I was nervous with both, but particularly DD that there may be issues due to my age, but thankfully both pregnancies were straightforward and babies were born healthy (I did have 3 mc's along the way though..not sure if this was age-related).

I am 44 now and still have a very regular cycle, am in good health and fit, so do wonder if I could conceive another without too much trouble, but the reality of another baby at 44 when DD (3 nearly 4) is just becoming a bit more manageable and staring school in Sept, is perhaps a bit too daunting for us (OH will be 45 in Dec).

Not sure what the stats are on women conceiving easily after the age of 40, plenty do I'm sure.

1. We have 4. It varies as to which one I'd send back.

None....or maybe 1

I have 5......

1 more than I have at any one time. Hormones eh

can I be nosy and ask what age felt too late?

40. I didn't feel it was too old but it was for me. Had last dc at 37 & started trying for baby #5 at 40. I got pregnant twice, once at 41 and again at 42. Lost both at around 14 weeks. Too upsetting to try again and just accepted I'd left it too late. I'm extremely lucky to have had 4.

Had dd at at 39. Many many losses to manage two healthy babies including one in third trimester. 40 was my cut off and there was a 3.5 year gap. I just couldn't risk more heartbreak.

Remains my only regret.