To think if you don't feel done after 3 DC you'll never feel done?

[MarianneVos]

I know some people feel they definitely wanted to stop having children after having enough, and some people feel like they would always want more but stop for fertility/financial/practical reasons.

If you're the type of person who doesn't feel 'done' with having kids after three of them, are you the latter type? Or do some have got o or five and finally feel that's the right amount?

YABU people often feel done after their fourth + child
YANBU if you don't feel done after three you'll always be wanting more even if you had twenty kids

I have 4. I remember being in the labour room just after giving birth to 4th and physically it felt like something had turned off. Suddenly I was done. It was weird and unexpected.

I'd love four but finances and house size mean we can't. Don't care as much for the baby stage, would happily be pregnant then pop out a toddler and skip that bit. I will forever feel sad that I only have the three.

I felt I wasn't done at 3 so when I was offered sterilisation during my section I refused it, but now I have 3 aged 3,7 and 10 I am definitely done !! Couldn't think of anything worse than adding another to our hectic house !

I'm the opposite. I had awful hyperemesis each time so never want to be pregnant again. I would happily have a stork bring me several more babies though.

DH was pretty done at two, and I knew I wasn't but hoped I'd be done at three. DC3 was in neonatal and at that point I decided I couldn't do it again but now I'm back to feeling like I want more. I can't work out if it's that I really want 4 or if I could have 20 and still feel that one more would be great! It's interesting to hear that 4 was a clear stopping point for others.

DH definitely thinks he's done so agree about him getting a vasectomy. Financially, house space wise, work wise etc I think a fourth would tip us over into not coping. I'm definitely not either laid back or super organised - more like anxious and a bit chaotic! I'd also be over 40 next time so higher risk for everything.

I'm definitely lucky to have the three I have and logically I'd be stupid to have another but my heart really wants one. I'm hoping it passes in time and I can make my peace with it.

I think I need to hold onto this - that I'll feel very different in a few years and if I did have another it's not reversible!

Mine are 3,3,0 so I have no idea what challenges school etc will bring.

Obviously if I did have another it wouldn't be for a while anyway, I was just really hoping to feel that my family was complete after DC3 as three was what I'd always imagined. Hopefully it's just post birth hormones.

I always wanted 3 as I'm one of 3 and I loved it!

Stopped at 2, my hearts yearning by for a 3rd has definitely diminished over time and my boys are 11 and 8 now so I'm definitely done and happy about it.

We could have done 3 but it doesn't feel like there's anyone missing.

Still, I have a name for my mythical 3rd son, whom shall only exist in my mind. And honestly, he's the best behaved!!

I always wanted 4, never felt "done" after having 1, 2 and 3 but literally the moment 4 was born I was like "yup I'm done". Never had any thoughts of a fifth. I thought I'd always be broody and get pangs of wanting a baby if I was to see a newborn but thankfully I just think they are nice but no desire at all to have any more. Literally all broodiness went after number 4. Can't anyway now for various reasons!

Also had some losses along the way so there's quite a big age gap between mine, bit like the Queen!

I feel like i could have a baby every year if DH would let me

I wasn't done at 3, but was definitely done at 4.

I was 36 as well

I could have had 20. As it is, we have 5. I had my first early 20's and last early 30's and remained broody up until my hormones started to tail off. Now mid-40's and the thought of having a newborn would send chills down my spine.

DH and I are teachers and although mine are now self sufficient, I do ask myself what on earth I was thinking. I don't know how I got through the 3 clubs a night drop off and pick ups.

1 and done. Just don't how people have the time the money and the energy for more.

I thought i would be broody forever as i am so maternal! After baby number 7 i just couldn't imagine not going through pregnancy, birth and having another baby/child again. Then after a few months those feelings slowly faded and i stopped being broody. I haven't been broody since and i know and feel that my family is totally complete. It's different for everyone but i think most women get to a stage where the broodiness subsides.

I have 3 sons. I always wanted a daughter too, and after my first I'd have happily had a baby every year as I love them so much.

But the reality is we couldn't afford to have more than 3, and my relationship with my husband is terrible (maybe that's why I want to fill it with children, who knows).

I don't feel done, but I also know I am done as I haven't had sex in almost 11 years, am now 43 and can't see anything changing anytime soon!

I have two, 3 years & 7 years.
I want another, the feeling has come on quite strong suddenly. I think it’s because we moved to a quieter area and have more space, so it seems quite doable. I’m 35, I have a bit of time (hopefully) but my husband is happy with two.

I had my first at 26, and I always said I didn't want to have children in my 30's.
I ended up having them at 30, 31, 33 and my last at 37. I lost one this year, and would've just turned 40 if everything had been OK.

20, 26, 28 and 29 were the ages I had all my kids.