Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Found out I’m pregnant again and I don’t know what to do

486 replies

breezyb7 · Yesterday 17:39

I’m 34 and I just found out i’m pregnant with my fifth i don’t know how far along because my periods have been all over the place since my youngest was born.

I have 4 dc already:

DS1 (7y 3m) pregnancy was fairly straightforward but had to have an emergency c section at 39+2 due to his heart rate being concerning . He has a dyspraxia diagnosis and been referred for an ASD assessment and adhd and dysgraphia has also been mentioned by school but generally at school hes doing okay he’s very strong with maths and reading and is in year 2, his teacher is pleased with him etc he is just struggling socially at times

DS2 (4y 11m)was born at 35+6 a VBAC and he was in hospital for 12 days for various things but mainly feeding difficulties and difficulties maintaining his temperature etc. Hes extremely delayed, didn’t sit until 14 months and didn’t walk until 3y 8m, he has a walking frame (and a wheelchair for longer distances) and has just started reception and is struggling with tiredness. Hes still in nappies and he has global development delay, hypotonia and significant speech delay. Possible ASD and childhood apraxia of speech although no formal diagnosis. He only speaks with one word and it is hard to understand for people who don’t know him but he is in mainstream school

DS3 (2y 8m) was born at 37+1 via a planned c section, he was also delayed like DS2, not sitting until 14 months and not walking until 23m, he’s still unsteady and falls frequently, his speech is also delayed and changes day to day like he’ll say mum one day then not for a few days but he usually communicates by taking us to what he wants, pointing and has a few signs and uses word like sounds. Hes diagnosed with global development delay, gross motor delay and a significant expressive language delay and suspected ASD and concerns about visual processing difficulties and he has feeding/oral sensory difficulties around textures

DS4 (6months) was born at 36+4 via emergency c section for reduced movement and he was in hospital for 9 days for feeding difficulties, low muscle tone and problems maintaining his temperature, he’s got generalised hypotonia, gross motor delay and feeding difficulties and recently had an MRI and he has delayed maturation of the white matter on his brain, it’s immature compared to where it should be at 6 months but other results were inconclusive and i’m honestly worried about what his future will look like and what this could mean. He’s not rolling or sitting and has poor head control and feeding difficulties, he takes ages to finish a bottle and sometimes the milk leaks out the corner of his mouth

They have mentioned genetic testing for the children due to their needs but I don’t know. I’m worried about what the results could reveal what if it’s something awful and I dont know what it would change except us knowing we passed something to them all / to the younger 3 especially an

Now the pregnancy and my head is spinning

Before anyone says anything we were using condoms because I cant take the pill or the coil as it messes with my hormones too much and MH, we had discussed a vasectomy but hadn’t got round to it

I don’t know what i want from this post. I had a miscarriage between DS3 + 4, DS3 was 11 months and it was a loss at 12 weeks but i had to have an erpc and it was really traumatic and the recovery also was as I still had to do a lot for DS2+3 and i really struggled

OP posts:
HeNeedsRehab · Yesterday 18:50

I sometimes wonder if I’m the one who’s wired wrong as I would not hesitate to terminate in these circumstances. I don’t even understand how you are considering it.

I’m speaking as a mother who has had a termination

TheChickenRun · Yesterday 18:50

breezyb7 · Yesterday 17:49

I don’t know, it depends how far along i am and how straight forward the abortion would be, the miscarriage and erpc was traumatic and recovery was hard and took a lot longer than it should’ve bleeding wise

My head is just spinning hence posting here to get my thoughts out i guess

I hate to mention this but however hard that recover is, a lifelong responsibility for any other child in addition to the challenging four you already have, will outweigh any recovery time.

Katemax82 · Yesterday 18:52

If you do have the baby can you have a tubal ligitation during the procedure (I wanted to buy had left it too late to sort out)

BewareOfTheFakes · Yesterday 18:52

Terminate-you have more than enough going on.

Get the genetic testing-it’ll help you understand the kids you’ve got.

And get a copper coil fitted-no hormones in that.

Naurrr · Yesterday 18:52

you have 4 and another you’ll be absolutely fine.
@Ishehe there's no indication that OP would be absolutely fine after gestating, birthing and adding to her already overwhelming amount of work.

People pointing out no sex until vasectomy-live sperm can still remain for months after the vasectomy.

TheLemonLemur · Yesterday 18:52

Anyone would find 5 typical children under 8 a struggle. However when you add in history of additional needs I'm sorry to say I could not keep that pregnancy. Your children will be dependent on you for a long time and you are already spread thin - what would happen if god forbid something happened to you in childbirth? Even having a c section how would you and your partner manage recovery, a newborn and the other children's needs?

Summerishere123 · Yesterday 18:52

Wow OP, you are incredible. I have one with ADHD and another with more complex needs. I have often thought a third would destroy my MH. It is so hard and I onlyhave the 2. I don't think it would be fair to have a 5th when you're already stretched so thinly. That said, I imagine there is a little hope that you might have a NT child and it will be easier but the odds are stacked against you. If time is on your side I would be ending this pregnancy in your position and booking that Vascetomy ASAP.

HedgerowD · Yesterday 18:53

How are you coping day to day OP? I can't imagine that it is easy.

Only you can make the call of what to do next. Personally I would terminate but I know the decision feels much harder for some.

The copper coil is a brilliant alternative if you cannot use hormonal BC.

TheStepboardisfullofbitteroddos · Yesterday 18:53

I would be booking termination ASAP in your shoes.

How can you stretch yourself across 4 disabled children let alone adding a newborn healthy or not.

What if you suffered a long term birth injury, who'll be caring for the others?

Honestly I'd also be booking the genetic testing ASAP as there's clearing something going on. Knowledge is power, it might be something that will help your dc. I'm somewhat gobsmacked you haven't pushed for it sooner- to me that's negligence. You should be doing all you can for your current children not having more.

Also vasectomy ASAP and abstinence in the meantime.

Canarymonster · Yesterday 18:53

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Netcurtainnelly · Yesterday 18:54

ChimpanzeeThatMonkeyNews · Yesterday 18:06

Find some reliable contraception is my advice.

Bit late now 😔 😊

realdeal7393 · Yesterday 18:55

I do not know a single person who can afford to have 5 children. Are you very very rich?

Canarymonster · Yesterday 18:56

realdeal7393 · Yesterday 18:55

I do not know a single person who can afford to have 5 children. Are you very very rich?

no probably, just on benefits. see my post above

Justttheone · Yesterday 18:58

Abortion and vasectomy

whatsgoingonhey · Yesterday 18:58

Madness to even be considering keeping it

SouthLondonMum22 · Yesterday 18:59

You need to think about the DC you already have. Going ahead with the pregnancy would be incredibly foolish.

I'd also stop having sex until DH 'gets around' to the snip.

BoldnessReborn · Yesterday 18:59

You can use a copper IUD that is non-hormonal and extremely reliable, if your objection to Mirena coil is hormonal.

Mirsine · Yesterday 18:59

@breezyb7 Sorry you’re in this predicament OP. It must be very tough mentally.

It seems like you’ve had some traumatic experiences with emergency sections, babies in hospital, miscarriage and dealing with diagnoses and caring for your disabled children. None of those things are easy on their own, never mind experiencing them in within 7 years.

If I was in your position: I would contact BPAS (or any abortion provider) tomorrow morning. Book an appointment for a scan to see how far along you are and talk about your options.

You can also ask for some counselling sessions from them too. Before you make a decision on what you want to do with the pregnancy.

If you do decide to terminate (which personally, I think is the most sensible option), you can request a surgical abortion. If you have trauma from a miscarriage then the abortion pill might be too much for you. A surgical abortion will be over in minutes, and you will be surrounded by professionals who know what they are doing and can support you.

Your husband also needs to book in for a vasectomy ASAP. No excuses.

I wish you all the best.

ChimpanzeeThatMonkeyNews · Yesterday 19:00

HeNeedsRehab · Yesterday 18:50

I sometimes wonder if I’m the one who’s wired wrong as I would not hesitate to terminate in these circumstances. I don’t even understand how you are considering it.

I’m speaking as a mother who has had a termination

Same.

Kevinbaconsrealwife · Yesterday 19:01

HeNeedsRehab · Yesterday 18:50

I sometimes wonder if I’m the one who’s wired wrong as I would not hesitate to terminate in these circumstances. I don’t even understand how you are considering it.

I’m speaking as a mother who has had a termination

Well if you’re wired wrong then so am I my love x

Rosecoffeecup · Yesterday 19:04

You would be absolutely batshit to bring another child into the family. Focus on your existing children and supporting their needs.

anyolddinosaur · Yesterday 19:05

First thing you do is see a doctor and see what they say about how far along you are. Then if you can you arrange a termination and a vasectomy for your partner. Very unfair on your existing children to do anything else.

RedNerd · Yesterday 19:06

HeNeedsRehab · Yesterday 18:50

I sometimes wonder if I’m the one who’s wired wrong as I would not hesitate to terminate in these circumstances. I don’t even understand how you are considering it.

I’m speaking as a mother who has had a termination

You’re not wired wrong imo. I can’t understand why people put potential life of something that doesn’t exist yet above the needs of living children and don’t consider how their lives will be impacted negatively.

No one ‘needs’ 5 children. Some consider abortion at any point to be an absolute no but as I say, I’ll never understand why the needs of the living and breathing children who are here now aren’t considered more instead is saying absolutely no way I couldn’t possibly go ahead with it (I don’t care if it will negatively impact my living children!)

dairydebris · Yesterday 19:06

I'm deeply impressed you found the time for sex with all this going on

Happytaytos · Yesterday 19:07

You were batshit to have 2 more after the first 2 but here you are.

Stop having sex because that seems to be your only reliable form of contraception.

No way would I bring another child into this mess. Who is caring for them long term?

Swipe left for the next trending thread