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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Third baby - should we?

64 replies

TrainsandDiggers · 17/07/2020 06:47

I’m approaching 40. My kids (same sex) are almost 8 and 6. I love them dearly, but just don’t feel complete. Tbh, I have always wanted one of the other sex and feel that even if I had another of the same sex, at least I could then make peace with this (and I really think I would, as I could believe then it was meant to be). I don’t think l would love another of the same sex any less and in many ways think it would be lovely to have three of the same. I never wanted a big age gap though and life is so much easier now. We’re also getting to a position when we can enjoy a nice life with little luxuries. I’m also thinking about sibling bonds if the age gap is so great. At the same time, I don’t want to get old and regret not having a third. AIBU to seriously consider turning our lives upside down again at this point, or is this just a common thing women go through when they start to accept they will never have another and I just focus on the lovely life I have now? (Please be kind!)

YABU - stick to what you have
YANBU - seriously consider another baby

OP posts:
foolishlyfoolish · 17/07/2020 14:04

We're in a similar situation. Mine are 7 and 3 and I'm 39. If I'm not pregnant by my 41 birthday then we'll be sticking with 2.

I'd like 4 tbh but not enough time for that unless we're lucky enough to have twins!

Lovemoonsun · 17/07/2020 14:08

I’m in a similar position and have decided not to... have met a number of women in their 40s who said they’d had a similar broodiness in late thirties and were so relieved they didn’t go through with it, now dealing with teens!

I think the PP who said it had been ‘a stretch too far’ wrote such a helpful and honest post - only you (OP) will know if that chimes with you.

It certainly does for me - I think it would be too much for us, and diminish what we already have, but every family is different.

NotPayingAttention · 17/07/2020 14:12

Our 2nd shocked the life out of us when we found it was actually to be our 2nd and 3rd. If you look up stats you will find multiple births are much more common as you get older, as are birth defects, genetic abnormalities etc. Something to consider. I would love another baby and they would get on together even with a bigger age gap i think, but i can't guarantee a singleton pregnancy so I know i won't do it, i couldn't take it again especially at the age I am now.

WorriedMummy2020 · 17/07/2020 18:58

Mine are nearly 8 and 5, same gender, and we have decided to stick with two. It has been a very hard decision to make and has taken me about 18mths. My OH was much clearer. He has always been happy with two but was willing to try for a third if I really wanted it and thought I would regret it if we didn't. No one has a crystal ball though. We can only decide in the moment. I think for me, finally realising that whatever decision we make may not be without regret helped me actually make a decision.

I'm 42 and while I would not be trying naturally for a 3rd at my age (I know plenty do but not for me and especially not for a 3rd) but we had fertility treatment for our two kids and have some frozen embryos remaining which are much 'younger' than any I conceived now would be. In some ways they feel like ready made kids in waiting that we have a duty to use. But they may not work and we wouldn't ever get to use all 3 embryos anyway.
And a pregnancy at 42 has risks for the mother and baby even if an embryo frozen years ago if being used. We are comfortably off and could afford more children. But I feel a 3rd would take away too much from my two kids and would put unreasonable stress on my husband and I and our sanity. I love my kids dearly and had a tough journey to have them but neither were decent sleepers until away into the pre school years and now, while they often are the best of friends, I find the noise and squabbling that also happens very hard to deal with at times.

Also the fact that my husband and I are not both 100% about a 3rd makes it a no for me. An accidental pregnancy would be a different scenario but that's not what our situation is.

I have had miscarriages in top of fertility issues and one difficult labour and birth. The risks of another pregnancy just scare me too much and no longer feel viable. And the risk, however small of myself or any third baby suffering harm, or of us having a multiple birth, is just something I can't get past.

There are so many threads on MN on this issue as I discovered when doing my own research last year. I didn't even need to start a new one. There seems to be quite an even split unlike the poll results here on this thread when I last checked. People always say you only regret the kids you don't have but I'm not sure I agree and find that a bit trite and removed from reality.

For me, it's a hard pill to swallow. I love the idea of 3 or 4 kids and especially a larger family in my old age but that's not where my family building journey has led me and my parenting bandwidth is much better set at 2 kids than anymore.
I feel sad to be out of the baby and toddler phase as it has so many highs and happy memories for me despite the sleep deprivation. I also feel sad not to have the experience of having children of both genders. But I'm trying to look forward at all the good things to come and to count my blessings, which is another trite offering often quoted in this situation.

Good luck deciding OP.

WorriedMummy2020 · 17/07/2020 18:59

I also agree with the post below that broodiness in the very late 30s and early 40s seems to be a thing. Mine is incredibly related to my menstrual cycle.

car1sberg · 17/07/2020 19:00

I had a third with an 8yo & 5yo - she's the best decision we made Smile

car1sberg · 17/07/2020 19:02

I had a third with an 8yo & 5yo - she's the best decision we made Smile

WorriedMummy2020 · 17/07/2020 19:05

WinifredGoose your honesty is refreshing. I also agree with the poster who said that age gaps are easier when the youngest is still only a baby.
I would personally find it harder juggling a 13 year old, a 10 year old and a 5 year old which is what I would have if we went for #3. If I had realised sooner that I might want a 3rd maybe I would have gone for it as the gaps would have been closer but as it is and for so many other reasons I have listed it's two and through for us.

Cakehandedme · 17/07/2020 19:11

Why don’t you flip a coin?

Surviving1 · 17/07/2020 23:37

ignore this if you don't have a partner, but if you do and you both want a third child, then try and have one.

WorriedMummy2020 · 18/07/2020 21:31

BablLlamaZen I do think OP wants a 3rd to be a girl....she posted a thread in 2018 saying just that. And one about a rocky marriage in 2019 which makes me say even more, don't have a 3rd, unless you're now not fussed on the gender and the marriage is fixed.

FortniteBoysMum · 18/07/2020 22:20

Mine are 10 and 13. I have wanted another for the same reason sinse ds2 was born. Dp however does not. We had a discussion about it recently and he still does not want another. We also had a pregnancy scare and he didn't freak out about it. So if it was to of been the case we would have survived. He says if we had another that would mean no holidays abroad and being tied down again for a lot longer. I think that would not bother me and the older two are relatively independent. My youngest has ASD so does take up a lot of time but is great with his cousins who are tiny. I think seeing my brother has 2 young girls and sil recently had a girl only makes me want another more. Guess it will be another discussion soon. I had a cervical cancer scare 2 years ago so if we were to have another it would need to be soon as if I have another scare my best option would be a hysterectomy due to family history. Always wanted a little girl but even another boy would be fine. If you want to and your both on the same page go for it.

Vehivle · 18/07/2020 23:49

I was 8 when my brother was born. We fought a lot as kids but we are very close now. I see him as a close friend, we share the same humour and views on most things. So dont let age gap put you off. I also read somewhere that older men are more likely to produce girls than boys. So your chances of a girl are good. But older men (and women) also means increased risk of disability. It's a tough choice. But certainly, it is common for people to regret not having more children. Rare for people to regret having a child.

Busymum45 · 18/07/2020 23:51

It's a very common thing that most women go through

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