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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To say no, I don't want another baby!

42 replies

poptartprincess · 30/11/2018 00:50

So I have a little girl (one on Sunday already Sad) and I had a horrific pregnancy. I had hyperemesis, was on crutches the whole time and had a blood clot in my lung. Im fairly certain I was in the hospital more than I was out of it! When she was born she wasn't breathing and was completely blue, and I suffered for months with nightmares and paranoia about finding her like that again. Honestly it's put me off of the whole idea of another baby. But people just won't stop bugging me about it. My DM, MIL, DSis, and DH. Even the HV! It's constantly "so when's the next one?" And when I say I don't want another it's always "you're depriving her of growing up with a sibling, it's cruel." or "You can't be serious? DD will get lonely!". "Why not, don't you like being a mum?"

AIBU to say screw all of them. It's my body and I can't mentally or physically go through that again, especially with a dependent child too. They're making me feel like a bad person and parent for not wanting to have another baby. But my small family is enough for me...

I feel like I'm letting everyone down...

OP posts:
TaliZorahVasNormandy · 30/11/2018 11:01

My DD is an only. She's 11 and has managed just find growing up. She's a sweet, caring, funny, generous, quirky little soul and I have no regrets in not having another. I'm still young enough to have another, if I so wish but I'm not entirely fussed on the idea of it.

DD has a close friends and a lovely relationship with my niece. We are very close so she has done just fine.

TaliZorahVasNormandy · 30/11/2018 11:01

Oh and I have two older siblings. I'm not close to either, but we get on ok.

TaliZorahVasNormandy · 30/11/2018 11:06

It's cruel to have a child you dont especially want just to keep the first child company.

SummerGems · 30/11/2018 11:20

Adults are far too obsessed with the idea of having siblings for their children. Reality is that very few adults have close relationships with their siblings once they hit adulthood because the society we live in now means that we all grow up living in different areas etc and it’s rare for siblings to live and remain close to one another. Sometimes it happens, mostly it doesn’t. And even growing up most siblings fight continuously, and while they of course wouldn’t be without one another they would obviously say that because they know no different.

My DS is an only child due to secondary infertility, and when he was around nine I decided of my own accord that I didn’t actually want to pursue trying for another baby any more so we stopped. He’s now sixteen and actually his dad has dc with his current partner but given there is A, a massive age gap between them,and B, DS sees them maybe two or three times a year only he doesn’t even consider them siblings.

As for the poster who suggests adoption as an alternative, there is no polite response to that one, but tbh adoption is nothing like having a biological child within an already established family in fact given the issues within the adoption system now adoption is likely to create far bigger issues than it would resolve. And it’s not for everyone.

Robin2323 · 30/11/2018 11:21

How ridiculous lol
My mum was an only child and always made friends where ever she went.
After my first I didn't want any more.
When I met my DH we had a happy accident.
My daughter was neatly 4 by then.
But being pregnant at 8 months out with my 3 year old and 2 other step children of 9 and 10, people would assume they all belonged to me (pregnant again) and look at me
Gone out lol
It took me a little while to figure this out only had the step kids once a fortnight.
People judge (wrongly) and it is none of their business!'!!!!!
You may change your mind like me but that's up to you.
But I for one completely understand where you're coming from.

Racecardriver · 30/11/2018 11:24

Just tell them you’ve been sterilised. By the sounds of it you are lucky that both of you survived. I don’t think a rational person would have another pregnancy in your position.

OutPinked · 30/11/2018 11:25

My Dad chose to only have one child and nobody has ever once questioned that decision. I’d like to say it baffles me as to why people constantly harass women over it but sadly it doesn’t.

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with having one child. Pregnancy is a daunting and sometimes life threatening thing and you had a particularly difficult one (understatement). Do what is right for you and tell them to piss off.

LisaLops · 30/11/2018 11:30

I have one. My son is almost 9. I have always said I only wanted one. I have PCOS so was a bit difficult conceiving him, but he was my miracle baby and I’m happy just putting all my efforts into him. I suffered quite badly with SPD during pregnancy and couldn’t move for the last 2 months carrying him. I had to be helped up everywhere. The pain was worth it, but I’m now looking into getting sterilised (fibroids). I’m 33 now and to this day, I have no urge for another baby...

circleoflife · 30/11/2018 11:33

I know quite a few ppl who have only one child by choice. It's absolutely fine to do and actually looks like a nice set up.

TheWiseWomansFear · 30/11/2018 11:36

There are many many only children out there. DP is an only child and is the most well adjusted, kind and sociable person I know. He loved being an only and being showered with all of the attention... don't feel bad, a sibling isn't a human right.

Graphista · 30/11/2018 13:51

YANBU! AT ALL!

I only have one, I wanted more but similar to yourself my body doesn't tolerate pregnancy well. I had GD, serious spd (also on crutches fucking painful!), then near the end preeclampsia and we both almost died during the birth partly due to me having a heart condition that doesn't show prepregnancy, flares at childbirth and can be fatal for mum up to a month post Partum too. So I was "strongly advised" not to get pregnant again. And I wouldn't have risked leaving dd motherless aside from anything else.

Dd has not suffered as a result of being (to all intents & purposes she has 5 half siblings that she never gets to see) an only child. Indeed given what's happened since (divorce from dad who never maintained proper contact nor paid cm reliably) it's probably a good thing I didn't have more as it was a struggle anyway. She's turned out pretty well though I say so myself - and I've been told by others too recently (planning a surprise for her 18th and that's prompted some feedback).

All those people pressuring you (and I'd be complaining about the hv none of her damn business and bloody unprofessional) are NOT the ones who will be going through a likely extremely difficult pregnancy, childbirth, night wakings, bf etc.

As for "d"h where is his care for YOU?! Does he pull his weight? I'd be tempted to tell him "we can have another when YOU can do the pregnancy, childbirth, bf, ALL the night wakings, give up work for at least a year and do all the weaning, potty training etc" bet he'll shut the fuck up then! And if he doesn't bury him under the patio! I'll alibi you!

Actually on a serious note ask dh this:

So if I DIE as a result of risking another pregnancy exactly how do you think you will cope as a widower of 2 very young children?!

Dd is almost 18, I'm late 40's and its only very recently I've stopped getting this shit from people who I'm friendly with but who don't really know me. I've ended up saying bluntly "I couldn't have any more even though I wanted to" and letting them think whatever reason that might be if they push it I'll say "because it would have killed me!" Then they DO shut up!

I've also friends who don't have children at all, some couldn't (even with various fertility treatments etc, but also a couple have health conditions which prohibit pregnancy), some didn't want (and a few of them got so fed up with people who refused to "get" that, that they started telling people they couldn't - which shouldn't be necessary but I understand why).

Peoples family planning decisions are very personal and nobody else's business, same goes for whether a child was planned - wtf! None of your business what I do in my sex life!

If someone says they're pregnant you congratulate, maybe wish them a healthy pregnancy that's it! When a baby's born you congratulate you don't bug the parents about whether they're having another it's plain rude!

I also have friends who are only children. Only one is unhappy about it and that's because she thinks her parents acted selfishly having her at all! They were much older parents (mid 40's when they had her), already had known health issues that they knew would deteriorate (also genetic) and before she was even out of her teens she was starting to have to take on caring duties. It's put her off having children herself too, she's inherited one of the conditions which is another factor.

The others are perfectly happy as only's and say you don't miss what you never had. They have good friends & good long term relationships, not all have children but not due to being only's.

I've got 2 siblings, I'm Nc with sister and while bro & I get on ok we're not especially close.

armsandtheman · 30/11/2018 14:01

I have one Dd who's nearly 7 now. We're very close and I love being a'triangle'. I had an awful time getting pregnant and getting back into that negative cycle would be damaging for us all. My dh recently admitted he'd like another but has been fine since I said no. No one should pressure you. My best advice is to take advantage of all the things that are easier with one. No one asks me anymore as they can see we're having a fab time!

FermatsTheorem · 30/11/2018 14:04

YANBU. I would not get pregnant again in your situation either.

And my DS is an only child and he's fine.

LittleGwyneth · 30/11/2018 14:24

Tell em all to sod off, and if you want another child you could look into adoption.

Blanchedupetitpois · 30/11/2018 14:25

You aren’t letting anyone down and you don’t owe anyone a baby Flowers

EKGEMS · 30/11/2018 15:22

I crashed and burned at 30 weeks due to a gallstone and then had surgery an inflamed pancreas then an emergency section had ARDS on life support four days then had sepsis and a blood clot. Long story short I was unable to care for myself for three months. My son came home at six weeks. I got questions if I'd ever have more children and it was very upsetting because I did want more but couldn't care for another baby due to our son's physical needs. I completely understand you not wanting a repeat of the physical and emotional toll of your pregnancy. The blood clot alone was terrifying to me. Your child will be fine as an only child. Good luck!

AngelsSins · 30/11/2018 15:35

This makes me so angry, honestly some people seem to see women as vessels whose only worth is being something to fuck and push out children, if they can clean and cook too that’s obviously a bonus. I’d honestly lose my shit with them, how dare they try to guilt you into risking your life again?

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