Just posted similar in 90 days only and then came to look around this section too and thought it might fit here too.
I'm nearly 43 and for the past 18mths I've had baby cravings, to the point of obsession around the week before my period, and it's not letting up. Every month is the same. Exacerbated by the arrival of a few new babies in our wider family and friendship circle in that time and the announcement of a few more to come.
I have 2 kids, the youngest will start school in September. My husband is done done, and I thought I was too, not wanting to face another tiring pregnancy, another round of sleeplessness nights and the long term work of 3 vs 2 kids....that is, until these feelings started.....I feel so sad about my kids growing up (crazy I know as they're happy and healthy!) and worry so much about them not staying close when they're older, physically or emotionally. These thoughts take over for a couple of weeks each month and are spoiling the 'now' for me.
It's not the same longing I had when I wanted the two kids I now have as then I was certain whereas now it's a crazy longing and obsession with a load of uncertainty thrown in! This last week has been awful with these feelings and terrible irritability (low noise takes threshold, brain fog, can't make any decisions easily) but since my period arrived on Friday I feel lighter and a kind of peace again... until next month!
Am I just 40-something hormonal or is this more than that? We had a complicated journey to have our two kids now (difficulty conceiving, fertility treatment and pregnancy losses) and were it not for having a few embryos from a much younger me still frozen at the clinic from our first IVF I wouldn't be thinking of TTC naturally now at my age, partly due to age related egg quality worries and partly cos I couldn't be bothered to do the 'work'.... I'm hormonal yes, but not in an 'I'm horny' way!
Is this monthly craziness my hormones talking or is it maybe a genuine wish for another baby?
Have you had similar at this age? I don't think I'm peri menopausal just yet but who knows?