Considering having a fourth DC, any advice/warnings/encouragement welcome!!!!

[haagendaz]

We have 3 DC's (18 months, 2 and 6) and are considering number four.

We have both always wanted a large family and would like to have them fairly close together rather than a gap then a fourth but I am worried about how I will cope.. We cope very well at the moment although I do get tired and stressed towards the end of the day. DH is working from home a lot at the moment which is great as he is around but this will change the year after next....

Any opinions at all would be great! Thanks

Yaay! Are you going to TTC straight away?

Yes... Beyond excited! So glad to have come to a decision!

Hi.
I had 4 under 3! Found out I was pregnant with twins when Ds1 was just 6 months. Then had no.4 when DTs were 20 months. Its hard work but I love it! Although we're financially secure, have helpful family, happy kids etc etc we had so many negative comments when I was preg with DC4. As a wise person once said to me, you don't regret your kids, only the ones you didn't have. Go for it! My DC4 gives me so much happiness but the work isn't anymore than before. Good luck xx

well said mrs zebra, and congrats to poster, exciting times!

I have read this thread with interest. I have 3 children aged 3.5, 2.5 and 8 months and swing between feeling done and longing for another! Also have the additional problem of my hubby definitely wanting to stick with 3. Oh, and I get spd in pregnancy and am terrible at getting them out (3 sections). I wish I was one of those people who just have a number of children that they want, have that number and then stop thinking about it!!!

PipFEH... I felt the same to be honest. I envied friends (slightly) who had come to their decision... and knew that they were done.
My husband was not on board, so we left talking about it for a few months. Then, all of a sudden (it felt), he came round!
I think some of it had to do with that I am losing weight, about 1 stone now, and am feeling great. Also, he saw a picture on the h&m's website of a lady in a pretty maternity dress - (Don't worry, he doesn't do 'soft' porn!!! = I was looking at their tunics, as I love empire line) - and said how he can't wait for me to be 'blooming' again!!!
So, there we go! Our age gaps are 7.5 yr old, 3yr old (who's starting school this September... and 15 month old. So, 2 at school, 2 at home..... well, that's what I was thinking.
I knew that I was done, soon after having my boy (the 15 month old).. but, then I saw how close the 2 girls were and despite them being simply wonderful with him and they include him... I just know it will change once my little girl starts school. I like even numbers too. (But, secretly, I am BRICKING IT that we could have twins! Not that it's in our genes, but OMG!)

Thinkingof4 - About trying straight away... Yes... but doubt we'll straight away, it takes about 2-4 months for us... We're very lucky like that, and grateful.

pip
we were in similar situation a few months ago, me not being quite sure and dh being absolutely sure we were done. I let it go for a month or 2 during which time ds3 became a bit more settled, we stopped co-sleeping, and put him in his own room. All of this made dh a lot happier, he feels he's got his wife back, is much more in love with ds3, and agreed we could have one last baby. But definitely our last!!

vickles
we have been lucky like that too, only problem for me at the moment is no AF. Still feeding ds3 ( 11 months) so hoping its not going to be too much longer < impatient >

Been reading with interest as currently TTC #4. Vickles my children are similar ages to yours.

I had the same thought - we currently have one in school, two at home, if we succeed now we'll have two in school, two at home. I wanted to wait to TTC until my due date would be after DC2 had started and settled at school.

I am not at my best in pregnancy but so far having babies has been fine, and I love seeing them grow up. The thought in 5 years time of having them aged 12, 8, 6 and 4 sounds lots of fun to compensate for the hard work.

Thinkingof4 - Lol! I had to google 'AF'! Aunty Flo coming to stay! Love it! How frustrating for you.... but, maybe it's just your body's way of saying hold off ... or gradually reduce breastfeeds.. but, that's such a personal decision, and you will know what's best for you and your little one.

LimeLeafLizard - I'm going to hold off TTC for another month or two, as if we were to try this month, baby no4 would be born the same month as ds3. So... don't want 2 february birthdays to deal with.... dd1 already has to contend with xmas (bless her) - so a bit more thought needed for birthdays, with 4 potential kids!