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Am I mad to want a 4th?

13 replies

KO80 · 11/10/2018 07:16

I currently have 3 kids, DS who’s 2 and G/B twins who are 1. My DH has always said he wants 4, and i’ve always said I don’t. But the true is for months i’ve wanted another baby. I don’t tell family/friends as they would actually think I’m mad.

There is a long list of reasons why it’s not a great idea, the main reason is my kidneys stopped working after I had the twins, we ended up staying in hospital for 5 days to check they were working, after tests only one of them is fully working but they can’t tell me if it’s pregnancy related. The specialist didn’t say I can’t have any more but that I should let them know if I do so I can be closely monitored. But in my head it’s not worth the risk of my kidney not working when I have the kids to think about.

Other reasons include I hate being pregnant, I am the most miserable pregnant person, I think having my DS and the twins so close really put a strain on my body, I was also pregnant the year before my ds was born but ended up having to terminate the pregnancy.

I don’t have lots of help with the kids, my mil is great and will always help if I asked but she’s in her 70’s and looking after 3 kids is a lot. My sister is fantastic and helps when she can but lives 3 hours away.

We live in a 3 bed house, there isn’t anywhere to put another baby. I’m convinced it will also be twins or triplets. Also i’d need a bigger car. The cost of 3 is bad enough.

With our first my dh was more patient, my ds had colic and he would rock him and cuddle him and he was a lot of the time better at settling him, although he never did any night feeds. We were in a good routine with my DS going to bed and is watching tv. With the twins he was less patient, he almost resented them for disturbing our evening, they were much easier babies and just wanted cuddles. He did do one night a week, that stopped at 5 months (we got a night nanny a couple of times a week for 2 months) The twins started sleeping all night I think at 8 months. That nearly broke me, I hated and resented my husband it still really annoys me now at how unhelpful he was. If we had another baby I’d be doing all the nights again and looking after 3 kids.

I’ll be 39 in January, I don’t think I want a baby in my 40’s.

It’s hard work now, although getting slightly easier, I feel like there is always a child hanging on me. But when they all laugh and start playing together it melts my heart and they are such a joy.

After all this I still want another baby, i miss the new born stage. I would like my ds to have a sister, I know I can’t choose.

Will I regret not having another? My sisters tell me you just know when your done and I thought I was, I keep thinking it’s just hormones and the desire will go away. Sorry this turned into a long post, I just need to get it off my chest!

OP posts:
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InTheRoseGarden · 11/10/2018 09:27

No advice but I feel the same. I’ve got three under 5 (just), two years between each of them. I always wanted 4 and still do but we’re already stretched by the ones we have. I’m 38 and we also only have help from MIL who is in her 70s. I also feel like I’m always carrying a baby!

The main thing that puts me off having another is that we already do less fun stuff than we would if we had fewer children. I know it will get easier as they get older but I care about the fun we’re missing out on now.

At the moment I’m thinking to definitely not have another 2 year age gap and if we have another to go for a 3 year gap so DC3 is more independent when the baby arrives.

DH is against the idea of a 4th but he would agree if I really wanted one.

Andromache77 · 11/10/2018 22:04

I mean this kindly but please take a little trip to your closest dyalisis unit, it's not a pretty sight. Whatever you do, please remember that your health is important, not just for your own good but also for that of your family. And that's aside from the lack of help with your children. But please please think it through, kidney failure is no laughing matter.

PersonaNonGarter · 11/10/2018 22:06

Babies aren’t that expensive. Older children and young adults are very expensive.

Can you have the family life you want for your other children if you have another baby?

RollerJed · 11/10/2018 22:09

From what you've said here, no I don't think you should. You've got 3, you've no idea how that will work as they get older and a dh who was very helpful when you had DT (When you'd expect them to be the most tbh)

And possible health issues? It's a big fat no from me.

formerbabe · 11/10/2018 22:09

I know you posted this in the larger families topic...I don't have a big family myself...it just came up on active conversations.

I would say absolutely do not do this. It is not worth the potential risk to your health.

Your current children must be your primary concern and they need you more than they need another sibling.

Stuckforthefourthtime · 11/10/2018 22:15

I think there is a lot of nonsense on here sometimes about how 'uou just know when you're dkbe'... Well, I've just had my fourth, life is manic and I STILL mourn each step away from newborn, because I know it will be my last.

Some of us love babies, and that's ok, but it's important to recognise that broodiness doesn't mean your family is actually missing a person, and that you could have another set of twins and still be craving more.

It sounds like your health and your relationship needs to take priority right now.

In a few years time you can reassess - maybe you'll still be broody, or like many of my more sensible friends, once all your kids are out of nappies and in nursery and school (and experiencing the many many hassles of having multiple school age children), the thought of going back will fill you with dread!

Stuckforthefourthtime · 11/10/2018 22:16

"uou just know when you're dkbe"?!?! As you probably guessed, i meant you know when you're done (except some of us don't)
This is what having a fourth does to your brain and typing skills....Blush

RollerJed · 12/10/2018 08:42

Agree @Stuckforthefourthtime

And the old chestnut, you'll never regret a dc. That might be so, but you can bitterly regret your situation which I've seen first hand with a few friends. Two were dc3 and one was dc2.

The dc you do have need you. Don't risk that.

KO80 · 12/10/2018 11:45

Thanks for all your replies.

In my head I know i’m done, I won’t risk my kidneys not working again for another baby. I have my kids to think of.

I think it just surprises me how much I do still want another baby some times, but it’s just mourning that phase.

The whole point of us having the kids close to get it over with, but in the nicest way. The twins aren’t on formal anyway and I stopped sterilising this are getting easier. I don’t think in a year i’ll want any more 😂 x

OP posts:
Fraula · 12/10/2018 11:52

Do keep in mind that it's likely to be twins again!

I've also just had my 4th. I am compelled to have another: not really sure why. Hormones? I don't think we'll have one, though, as my husband is taking a more rational approach!

Tinty · 12/10/2018 11:57

After all this I still want another baby, i miss the new born stage. I would like my ds to have a sister, I know I can’t choose.

Didn't you say you have girl/boy twins? He already has a sister surely?

MrsCar · 12/10/2018 12:33

I presume she meant dd.

Crikey, don't do it op! Trust me, as the mum of 3 school going kids, it gets a WHOLE lot busier (albeit easier) when they're older and you're trying to juggle everything and all their individual needs.

holycityzoo · 16/10/2018 18:38

Honestly? I wouldn't.
I have 4dc and I found it a huge jump from 3-4 . Mine were 9,3, 13 months and newborn and I can honestly say that first year was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do.
Everything just became so much harder and I felt constantly guilty about not being able to give them enough individual attention.
My dp was supportive and used to take the night shift once a week. We were lucky that the first three dc were really good sleepers but I don't know what I would have done if I had more than one up in the night.
Dc4 was a rubbish sleeper and started sleeping through about 8 weeks ago he's just turned four.
That is a lot of sleepe deprivation
I was lucky that he didn't have colic/reflux/allergies or I think that would have finished me off.
Despite all this I still get broody when I see babies...for a minute!
I'm a sahm and my life is spent cleaning,washing,ironing, keeping on top of everyone's play dates,appointments,school stuff and homework.
I thought it would get easier when they stared school but the amount of homework,reading etc.. is ridiculous.

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