To those in the menopause

[Flowers24]

Did you start panicking and then want to have a baby again or wish you had more children? Only asking as it all seems so 'final'. I have not got any signs as yet in my mid 40's but i fear this, what if i feel this way? I dont desire a baby/ toddler doing it all again now, as am enjoying my freedom more and time, and certainly feel much more tired than i used to ! Teenagers can take a lot out of you emotionally but I am relishing the time for me after years of being rushed off my feet mum? (still a but rushed off my feet)

Any thoughts welcome

I'm 51 and have been having menopause symptoms for 2 years although I still get my period..
I never had a baby. Although I'm sure I could have my husband is infertile so we adopted our kids.
I feel sad that my fertility went to waste. I wish I could have given my healthy overies and womb to a woman with unhealthy ones. I'm a bit fed up of periods and wish they would stop please!!
I don't regret never bearing a child. I love my kids.

I'm peri. Complete baby craving but in reality dont want one if that makes sense. I love sleeping and kids are semi independent and my jobs looking up. Thank god dh had the snip so choice is taken away

I'm getting the early stages of peri after 5.5 years of secondary infertility, so although the idea of going back to the beginning again is increasingly daunting, there is definitely sadness.

Always been happily child-free and being in my late 40s hasn’t changed that at all. The one thing it has changed is that people no longer badger me about having kids. It’s as if I knew my own mind all along!

My 49 year old friend has two year old twins. They're cute enough, but her fb posts make me shudder. Her eldest set of twins are 18.

No, I was sterilised age 26, A decision I've never regretted, I'm going through the menopause now and still no pangs, I'm not baby person though, never have been.

Had son at 26, endometriosis hit 8 months after. Peri at 34, last period at 43, so through meno. Now nearly 46. Part of me wishes I had another very soon after my son, but it probably wouldn't have happened with the endo. I certainly would not have wanted another mid thirties onwards. Peri left my brain in mush, with over a decade of chronic insomnia, I could not not have coped with one then or now. It is what it is.

@FoolsAssassin

No absolutely not one tiny iota at any moment ever.

^ completely this. I was over having any more children about 5 minutes after giving birth.

Thanks all, I dont think I have menopause signs but have got problems with cotton wool brain , is that normal? I just cant think sometimes? Get bouts of baby desires then remember i love my own time sooooo much , and sleep, yes sleep!

I started peri menopause at 38, one child, still preschool age, and closely following a miscarriage. Totally broke my heart, still grieving now

No grief at all. My adult children are doing well and I am happy for that part of my life to be over.

No not at all.
Hysterectomy early 40’s and had no sadness at all. I had two children and no desire to have any more.

Thank you everyone, seems the overwhelming majority are ok with it & dont suddenly panic and want one more baby. Interesting x