Why on earth am I broody when I have a 10 month old?!

[Missmarple87]

I have 2 kids - one 4 years and one 10 months. Same sex.

I am suddenly desperately broody. I just can't face this baby being the last time I have a baby (I always thought I would be done). I'm consumed by jealousy when I see pregnant women or newborns or large families.

I love babies, mine have both been sleepers, but I bloody HATE 2 year olds. Aside from the tantrum bit, I love young children. I genuinely don't hate the nappies, baby, bed times etc. Neither does DH, he loves it all and is very hands on.

I just can't fathom why I am so desperate for another. It makes me feel guilty that I'm looking at my youngest and already thinking about another. I'm 37 so conscious that I probably can't have the same age gap again (I love this age gap). We can afford it, though childcare fees would be brutal. Wouldn't need to move, would need a new car. Maybe I should just hold my horses and wait until I have a 2 year old again?! Is this some weird hormonal thing?!

Hi @Missmarple87 i have a very similar age gap, there is 4 years between my boys. Do you have boys or girls? I’m pregnant with my 3rd and will be a much smaller age gap, youngest will be 22 months.

I can’t help with how you feel. But you’re not alone. I never felt done! Maybe take some time to try and worth through why you feel like that. How does your DH feel?

Girls. Are you having another boy?

That's it - just not feeling that 'done' feeling I expected to have (not even immediately after birth). There's some kind of guilt around my second not being 'enough' which is obviously absolutely not true.

Is this some weird hormonal thing?!

Yes, and the closer you get to peri-menopause the stronger these feelings can be. Mother Nature is very clever.

I thought I was one and done. Had a second. And now want a third (3 and 12mo). I swear it’s because I know it’s our last baby (we only planned for 2, neither of us want more logically).

Oh no. Really?! 🥺

At 37?! I have no symptoms of it - periods regular as clockwork and my fertile period is very much in evidence when it arrives 😊

You’re broody because you have a ten month old. It will pass.

Yes maybe. Just so chubby and cute!

I think some people never feel done

I have always felt broody in the year after birth (with the exception of my first pregnancy) with DC2 she was such a good easy baby that we very nearly TTC a DC3 just a few months after the birth. Thankfully we came to our senses and whilst we did go on to have a DC3 the age gap was 7 years, so the broody feeling does pass. After DC3 I was insanely broody and melancholy with all the last time milestones, but it passed not long after age turned 1, but then when she was 3 I had a surprise pregnancy and it turned out to be twins. I am now sterilised and wouldn’t be pregnant again for all the money in the world, but I do still get broody now and again. It’s the hormones.

Really get how you feel, I have a similar age gap and so sad that this is likely our last! Might be the hormones as you say! Also have the biological clock ticking loudly in the background

I’m the same. I’ve been broody since having my second, but I’ve always wanted three so I think I just feel not done. My worry is what if I have a third and still don’t feel done. My head can very much see the advantage in sticking with two, my heart (and ovaries) say three.

That's what I would have said at 37. I was in Peri and on hrt at 40.

It starts much sooner than other generations thought. Most women have hormonal shifts well before any obvious symptoms but I guess your “ broody” drive might be more tuned in. 37 is toward the end of a breeding window as far as Nature is generally concerned ( given it starts in your teens) and I expect that might be what’s behind it.

Im 29, have four boys 7,6,2 and 7 months old and even I feel a tad jealous when I see pregnant women! 😂Pregnancy really is an amazing experience and I’ll never not miss it.
There is a one year + 2 months gap between my first two and although it wasn't planned I am so happy I had them so close together as their relationship is fantastic. They’re best buds, they do everything together, look out for each other in school and just have an amazing bond. If I was you I would go with what your heart wants and most likely you wont regret it.
The jump from 2 to 3 wasn't hard for me, cant say the same about 3 to 4.🙈