Very early days but think No. 4 is on the way...oh blimey.

[LuckyWeKeptTheCot]

Hi, I have 3 children (7,5 and just 3). DH has always quite liked the idea of 4 - he is one of 4. Anyway, we never ruled it out and threw caution to the wind the other night, although did think these things the next morning:

1. I am 3 stone overweight - one kept for each pregnancy. And had a sort of plan to spend this summer losing weight, getting fit and having some treatment for rosacea which isn't recommended while pregnant. Then I was going to let nature take over in the winter if we still felt the same way.
   

1. I will be 41 in June so the risks of various things are higher and I feel the impact is greater when you already have 3 children - more implications to consider so should I have all the tests going?
   

1. REALLY annoyed with myself about not losing weight first - worth repeating!!
   

1. Just setting up a business with DH so timing not perfect but when is it ever?!
   

1. Wanted to take the children travelling for 6 months when they are older. Think I still could?!
   

1. Depsite lots of concerns, when it occurred to me this morning that my period was definitely not showing up and bought a test and guess what...very positive. BUt VERY early days not not saying anything to anyone but DH yet.
   

We have a 4 bed house and can all fit in easily. They all share at the moment so not stuck on all having their own rooms. Already have a people carrier. And lots of stuff.

Drank lots of wine at the weekend. And had 3 fags after none for 2 years. Went mad at a party.

Not sure what I'm asking really. No sister or mum to talk to - just wanted to list thoughts.

PS First reaction when I saw the two lines was a big grin. Guess that says a lot. Same from DH.

[LuckyWeKeptTheCot]

Anyone around to say something? Just fancied a chat really. Will come in the evening!

[missnevermind]

Congratulations!
I am A year younger than you and several stone heavier, I am now 24 wks with DC4.
Some of mine ate older than yours though. I have a (nearly) 13 yo a 10 yo and the little one is 2.2.

Finding it harder this time though and not getting as much help as I would like this time, but still enjoying it

[LizinFrance]

Hi there,

Huge congrats to both of you! I have 4 , ages 12, 10, 3.5 and 13 months. Also put on a stone for each! Know what you mean about kicking yourself for not losing the weight before falling again, but I think all you can do is accept that you didnt, try to eat as healthily as you can, try to really enjoy this pregnancy and worry about the weight later! I guess only you can decide on whether to have all the tests or not. Go with how your instint.

Had our oldest 2 in the UK, so family around to help. Youngest 2 were born in France, so pretty much on our own. In a way that was nice, although hard at times. Meant we could concentrate on 'us and the kids' rather than worrying about pleasing everyone else too. As you say, your huge grin says it all really! Enjoy! (I'm scarily feeling a pang of jealousy, but a 5th is definately not on the agenda!!)

Liz
x

[oooggs]

congratulations, 4 is a lovely number, ours are 7, 4 & 4 (just) & 2 - you can still do most things it just takes longer to save and you have to be more organised

[Beamur]

Congratulations!
No need to resign yourself to gaining a stone though, it doesn't have to happen. I was worried about gaining weight as I usually have to watch what I eat, but I ate healthily, didn't use being pregnant as an excuse to scoff and was back to my pre-pg weight within a month. Hope all goes well.

[LuckyWeKeptTheCot]

Thanks all! I am pleased! We won't have much help either, but then never have since our parents are all dead now - last one died 3 weeks before DD2 was born. But both older children would love another baby so hoping very much it all goes well and we can tell them the good news. Will just have to lose weight after Christmas! Like most people!

[letsgetloud]

Congratulations.

I had my fourth last June at 39 years and 10 months! I now have a 8,5,3 yr olds and 9 month old.

My three daughters love their baby brother and he is an absolute joy.

I didn't actually have that smile when I saw the two lines, so your smile definately speaks volumes.

[bellylicious]

huge congrats !

we have a 9, 6, 4 and 18m
and were on the 2 ww im 5dpo and cant wait to poas!
we wernt planning to have another just yet we were going to leave it till after the summer hols but hey ho whats a couple of months lol
so if this is a bfp then this will be baby no5
then im sure that ill have to even up the numbers in a couple of years

[threecurrantbuns]

At risk of soundins really dumb, and it will prob be so obvious afterwards, but what is, ww, dpo, poas and bfp??

And cant take my eyes of these threads, just trying to weigh up whether or not to go for no4 myself or if i could cope/slash give them all the best start.

But want to make a decision soon as dont want a big gap so if its all go jan is the time we will plan to try

[bellylicious]

2ww-week wait
dpo-days past ovulation
poas-pee on a stick
bfp-big fat posative
bfn-big fat negative

hope that helps
im 6dpo (and counting) eek!

[threecurrantbuns]

lol thank you,all make sense now and good luck the waiting to test is like a life sentence

[bellylicious]

most certainly is........ youd think id be good at this by now lol

[babybear5]

congratulations. That smile at the two lines says it all.
I have 5 children, dd's are 15, 10, 4 and 13 months and ds is 3. I remember that feeling when the next one is on the way..you cant beat it. Everything is possible with 4 children, it just might take a little longer to plan

[LuckyWeKeptTheCot]

Thankyou so much for your messages. Feels very strange - haven't really had any symptoms yet - except for missed period but so early - can't be more than 4 or 5 weeks. Sickness etc didn't kick in until about 7 weeks the first time. Have that familiar feeling of it not being real. But have done two tests and no period so I guess...here we go again! Fingers crossed.

[buttonmoon78]

Sitting here 23 plus a bit wks pg. With #4.

We were trying then we stopped because DH lost his job. However, it was too late

Certainly wasn't (and TBH still isn't) the right time for us but we're delighted. After all, by the time you get to #4 all you need is some wheels, a car seat, somewhere for it to sleep. The days of needing the whole of Mothercare are long gone!

Oh, current stats - dd1, 13, dd2, 11, ds, 4. This next one is a boy but I'm the only one who knows. DH in total ignorance!

[Dilligaf81]

Congratulations I have 4 (DD6, DS 4, DD 3 AND DD 8MTHS) I LOVE LOVE LOVE (did I mention I love) having 4.
One thing I have found it with each one you need less(mainly due to the overflowing house) and judt get on with it. DC4 Is soo relaxed has slept through from 5 days and has just slotted in.
Secretly I want DC5 but always told DH that we would stop when I turn 30 (in June).

[BadRoly]

Congratulations :)

I am another with 4 - dd 9, ds 7, dd4 and ds almost 2. I wanted 4 and feel finished for a number of reasons. Although some days are shit (today was one of them) that can happen with 1-3 anyway. I would not be without a single one of them!

As for weight gain - I have not been weighed in between pregnancies so I can remain in denial and just go off titghtness of my belt ;)

[threecurrantbuns]

dilliga posts like yours are dangerous for me ive been in lingo on going for no4 for so long, mine are dd1 -4(5in jun), dd2 3last wkend and ds1yr last wk.

I have found having three hard but still would love four dont like the odd no but cant help wondering if 4 could tip the balance financially and coping!?

Think the prob is i would love 4children but have had a very sleepless yr with ds and i dont enjoy pregnancy so know i would find the minus9 to 1yr part tricky...well if he or she slept like ds has lol

So pls be bluntly honest...how much harder is it with 4?

[Dilligaf81]

Threecurrantbuns
I honestly think going from 1 to 2 DC's was the hardest.
I will say in my favour :

1/ I EBF (just getting dc4 on bottles as going back to work PT) and would feed anywhere so no faff of bottles etc.

2/ All my DC sleep and feed well so no on going battles.

3/ Im not a 'routine' person so if you can go with the flow I think it helps.

4/ We have no childcare costs as DH works shifts, I only work 3 days per week and have a Mil who will have them once a month.

5/ My mum will have all 4 of them for me if we want a night away (hasnt happened since DC4 but have a wedding later in the year) so although we dont go out regularly (last time was Oct 09) but we have options.

I know if I hadnt had NO4 I'd never feel finished (DC5 is a distant wish)

[buttonmoon78]

I disagree Diliga I think the hardest leap for most is 0-1 followed by 1-2

For us, 3 slotted in as a baby but the dynamics have now changed and 3 doesn't work. I'm hoping #4 changes that!

I totally agree though - we're go with the flow kind of people. I can't be arsed to get into a strict routine. It would play havoc with my life

[Dilligaf81]

Sorry button I have too many kids to think BK (before kids)

And routine - I wouldnt have time for MN.

I have thought of something awful though - the ironing mum gave my ocd about ironing even muslin clothes I need to stop.

[threecurrantbuns]

Ive EBF aswell just started trying to stop bf this week, have to feed anywhere so no faffing for bottles day and night.

DCS 1&2 Were great sleepers but no ds so that was a bit of a shock after 6mth of night feeds i thought they would dwindle but how wrong was i!? Saying that he has suffered with alot of wheeziness which hasnt help...poss asthma.

I found 0-1 a shock but once a got used to the change was ok, 0-2 if im honest i found dare i say, easy, i was so chilled and loved it.

2-3 God i still remember the day i got back from hospital and the two mini mummy were in for the new arrival like a shot and i thought omg this is going to be tough. I did have all three at home for the first 6mth, we dont have close by family except mil who doesnt do babysitting So i ended up struggling to do alot as i carried ds around all the time until i put travel cot up and then i felt a bit of relief.

Think ive found it hard aswell as i have had time feeling guiltly that each one isnt getting enough mummy time.

I am SAHM and know that realistically it would stay like that for the foreseable future as we dont have any help with childcare and paying for it for all of them would cancel out my earnings. Plus i am a control freak couldnt bare someone else looking after them all even though i do at time miss working and it can be tough being with them all the time

If we have a 4th is will def be it dh off for snip

Our hurdle would be the car would prob need a bigger one. I actually imagine one of the hardest parts of having four would actually be getting out and in the car lol

[threecurrantbuns]

button how do you find that 3doesnt work?? Tell me to keep my nose out, just interested.

And as far as ironing goes...your mad i gave up 2children lol. Well slight exageration the stuff that cant be pulled and stretched a bit get sent over to dh to iron [smile[

[Dilligaf81]

DH got banned from irong after he ironed a hole in my favorite black trousers but didnt tell me and let me wear them out and didnt own up.

We had a 7 seater after 3 anyway as we had a dog so the car wasnt an issue and they all do there own seatbelts (other than the baby obv) so no trouble.

Whilst I was expecting DC4 I had an attack of guilt re time on their own but it's been fine I doesnt have to be hours just reading a book at night for 5 mins and 'family' time is great for kids.

The hardest part is shoes - might be that we have too many pair in the house and the shoe cupboard is rammed but that does annoy me. Lots of screaming I cant find my other shoes ! - they are IN FRONT OF YOUR FACE!!!!!! ARGHHHH.

[BadRoly]

3currantbuns - didn't you start a thread about having a 4th? I won't repeat myself if it was you ;) but I'm with dilliga on the 1-2 being the hardest...