Thinking of the 3rd

[Irishmam10]

Hi,
I am a mam of 2 wonderful children, 15 and 12. I am 35. I am at a stage where I feel I haven't done the baby thing and feeling very much like I'd love another but I am so scared on what my it will be like to go again after 13 years not the afterwards more the birth etc.
Open to anyone who has been through this..

You make absolutely no reference to a partner or their thoughts

Which is a little strange

Your age isn’t an issue - the average age for a FTM is around 31, and the majority of people who have multiple kids will be having them at around your age.

What are your other circumstances? Living arrangements? Relationship? Financial situation?

God I think you’d be bananas! I’m 35 and have 3 kids too so I’m certainly not anti-3. But you’re so almost there! I do understand, babies are heavenly and it’s such a nice thing to have a baby and be a parent. But no way would I be wanting to start all over again. I don’t know. Eek! What does your partner think? Birth wise will probably be totally fine if you have no existing issues!

I had babies in 2008, 2011 and 2017. My 17 year old has just taken my 8 year old for a haircut. I’m having a cup of tea.

However it hasn’t always been that easy.

when they all have different needs it becomes chaotic: homework, waking in the night, driving to sports matches and training every night of the week.

at times I really felt that I was divided in 3 and couldn’t meet any of my kids needs. I was also working full time and responsible for most important household stuff as my husband is not able to do more than the basics.

I wouldn’t change anything but I did find juggling very very hard. The baby stage is fleeting. What you’re really responsible for is 3 human beings who grow into adults. It take time effort and energy to even get close to turning them into good adults.

I'm 38 and pregnant with my third - today's my due date. This pregnancy has been the least eventful one yet, everything's been completely textbook. I have had to have two tests for gestational diabetes, because of my age and the baby apparently measuring big around the abdomen, but I definitely don't have it.

I did ask my midwife if being over 35 (and also slightly raised BMI) made a difference to my risk level, and she said in theory it did, but the fact I'd already had two uncomplicated pregnancies and births brought it down again.

However, my two are 3.5 and almost 6. Not sure I'd want to start again with a big gap - by the time your now-12 year old was leaving school you'd be signing up to another 14 years with the youngest. But, all that's up to you.

I'm currently pregnant at 35 with 13 and 10 year olds. I know others talk about not wanting to start over etc, but I personally love having children in the house and I'm not too fussed about 'me time'. I prefer family days etc, so it was starting to scare me that my other 2 are getting older.
If that's also something you like, go for it!

I’m 39 and have 2 kids 14 and 10 and currently 5 months pregnant with my 3rd. She wasn’t planned and I do worry about my age but I am so excited for her to come along and complete my family.
I don’t think you would ever regret having another baby but you might regret not.

I’m currently pregnant with my 3rd baby. My eldest arrived on his due date and my second a few days early. What experience have you had with third babies arrival times?

Having a baby at 35 is not an issue at all. It can actually be a wonderful experience. Of course, having children at a younger age has its own advantages, but since your other kids are older now, it should be much easier for you. It would have been more challenging if they were still very young, like 4 and 2, and you were planning a third.