How's old when you had your third and what age gaps?

[pinkletoes]

DH and I have always toyed with the idea of 3! Currently we have 2 DDs aged 5 & 2. I can't decide whether I want a third but I'm 35 (we both are) and I'm worried if we don't try for one in the next year or two we might have missed the boat. DD1 came along first month we tried, DD2 took 7 months and a MMC which scares me a bit. Several friends have had MC recently, some quite late..I always thought I might like another at 38/39 (would like a few years on my career now ideally) but I'm worried about health risks / not being able to conceive.

Anyway I'm wondering what sort of age gaps mumsnetters with 3 have? When you had your third and if those age gaps are good / bad / if you'd do things differently if you had the time again. I know my own mum wanted a third at 40 and my dad didn't want another, it's her biggest regret. There's know knowing if she could have even had one but I know she would have liked to and also I would have loved another sibling (I think!)

[NewtScamandersNaughtyNiffler]

DP and I are planning a baby in a year or 2. (Number 1 for him but 3 for me)
I'm currently 32 and dc are 13 and 10 so it will be at least an 11 year age gap... I'm possibly mad!

[Perpetualstateofchaos]

My 2dcs will be 11 and 6 by the time this one is born in the spring.

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

36

When DS3 was born ds1 was 4.2 and ds2 21 months.

[Keepingupwiththejonesys]

I'm 26 and have three children age 4, 2 and 6 months. I had dd1 at 21, dd2 at 23 and D's at 25. I swear I won't be having another at 27 . Dh is 36 and has a 14 year old Ds. We planned the children close together as we wanted smaller gaps , quite a big family and also dh doesn't want to 'start over' all the baby stage a third time. I don't want to either and like the children's gaps

[MazDazzle]

DC1 - 27 (fell pregnant first month)
DC2 - 30 (took 9 months to conceive)
DC3 - 35 (pregnant first month)

So I have a 1, 6 and 9 year old.

I thought I'd revel in the pregnancy and baby stage of my third, because I knew it would be my last, but my Lord it has been tough. I had an awful pregnancy and struggled with the newborn faze. By the time my youngest baby is 2 I'm hoping to see an improvement. I've found it such a struggle.

My eldest two children adore their younger sibling though and have so much more patience than me!

[busyboysmum]

I had ds1 at 32, ds2 at 35 and ds3 at 42. So an interesting age gap. Works well for us. Boys are currently 15, 12 & 5.

[allthingsred]

I was 29 when I had my 3rd with a 12 month age gap

[ladybirdsaredotty]

Dd1-just 30
Dd2-32
Ds-probably just 36 (I'm still pregnant).
All conceived in first or second month (very lucky, I know), with a very early mc between the girls.

[YouRat]

I'm 39 now.
I had ds at age 21
Dd- age 23
Ds-age 25
Dd- age 37.

[gluteustothemaximus]

Had number 3 at 35.

Ages are 14, 6 and 1.

Absolutely love the age gaps. The older children adore their little brother. He's brought such a new dynamic to the family.

❤️ ❤️ ❤️ love 3 children, DH and I very happy 😊

[tatasa]

DS @ 34 DS 2 @ 36, quite happy to leave it at that but DH wanted 'one for the road', had DD @ 38.... can't overstate how glad I am he talked me into no. 3

[liz70]

I was 27 when I had DD1, 28 for DD2, and a fortnight shy of 39 when I had DD3. My three are now 18, 17 and 7 (8 in three weeks). There are 16 months between DD1 and DD2, and 8 years 11 months between DD2 and DD3. I love having three.

[HillaryWinshaw]

I was 31, 34 and 37. Three year gap each time. I only wish I'd started earlier so I could have another! Now I'm 40 and permanently knackered!

[Alwaysinahurrynow]

Ds1 is 4.5, ds2 is2.5 and ds3 is 9 months, I'm 38. It's hard work at the moment as ds2 requires a lot of attention. Six months ago it was easy, I'm hoping in six months, it'll get easier again.

[Ginlinessisnexttogodliness]

I not u - groan

[Ginlinessisnexttogodliness]

DS1 born just after I turned 39
DD1 born two weeks after u turned 41
Now 42 and 21 weeks with DS2

[MissMurielStacy]

Had my twins at 23 and my third child at 28; there's 4 and a half years between them.
The twins had just started at school when no.3 arrived.

[Eilasor]

I had my 2nd and 3rd exactly 8 months after my first.... I would recommend a slightly bigger age gap.

[ndo4000]

@lilydaisyrose am the same as you! Am 36 and currently 7 wks pg with DC3. I have a 10 yr old & a 7 year old. Am hoping the big ones will really enjoy the experience of being involved with the little one.

[MrsBobDylan]

I had my 3rd when I was 40 with a 4 and 6 year old. I loved the 4 year gap and am delighted I had a 3rd. My situation is a bit different in that dc2 is disabled and goes to a special school so I was already doing different picks up etc and also that my dc3, who is now 3 yrs old plays so well with dc2 who is 7 because they are at a similar stage developmentally. I love that dc2 has got a little friend to play with and dc3 thinks his big brother rocks!

I am (all being well at my scan this week) embarking on dc4 at 43. There will be another 4 year age gap which I'm pleased about.

[pinkletoes]

Felloutofbed2tiwce, that is exactly how i feel....having said that my DCs don't actually play together much yet (DD1 very jealous and a bit mean to DD2) and there's exactly a 3yr gap, we wanted less but it didn't happen. Hard to know isn't it! I just think my DD2 would be a wonderful big sister to someone as she is much kinder / more maternal. DD1 is a bit of a lone wolf and would have been happy as an only child I am sure!

[Leavesandburies]

Oh darkest, talk to me. Any tips?

[DarkestBeforeDawn]

I had twins at 30
Number 3 at 32
Number 4 at 33
Four under age four so pretty small age gaps!

[Leavesandburies]

I had DC1 at 31, DC2 was 19mths later, DC3 was 15mths later and now I'm very accidentally pregnant with #4 who will arrive just before DC1's 5th birthday.

I have to say that the three so close in age are really really hard work and stressful. God knows how we'll cope with #4 but since I found out I'm expecting our fourth I've definitely chilled out a bit with the three. Self preservation I guess.

[FellOutOfBed2wice]

I wonder this. I had DD1 at 28, DD2 at 30 and am now approaching 32. I'd definitely like a third when I'm 36 or 37 in an ideal world but I wonder will I be able to conceive and is it fair in the third kid to have a 5 year gap when there's less than 2 between it's older sisters?