I'd love another baby, but I'm not sure I could afford to. Is there a way around this?

[mummyloveslucy]

Hi, I have a 5 year old daughter and I'm thinking of trying for another baby. I know she'd love a baby brother or sister and would make a brilliant big sister.
I work 3 night shifts a week though and would need to keep working these nights to earn enough money to live on. I'm not sure if I can carry on working 3 nights and be awake during the day to look after a baby.
My MIL helps look after our daughter sometimes but I think it'd be too much to ask her to look after a new baby/toddler.
I suppose it'd be easier in the early days, as I could nap when the baby naps.

The other worry I have is that I had Hyperemesis with my daughter. (Severe morning sickness) which I was admitted to hospital for, so I couldn't work throughout my pregnancy. It was a really miserable time. If I can't work this time around,statutory sick pay wouldn't be enough.

I'm not sure what to do, we'd all love another baby but I don't know if we'd be able to cope if I had to give up work. I also really like my job and hate not working, it makes me depressed.

Are there any ways around this? Should I just go for it? I think it's something I'll regret not doing, but I also need to work.

bump (or not?)

Like you said, you will regret it if you don't at least try for another baby.

Each pregnancy is different and it doesn't mean you will get the same problem again. Can you discuss it with your dr.

With regards to money, I guess you will have to budget that bit extra. Can you do more hours at work now or when TTC to save that bit extra before baby arrives?

Maybe also speak with MIL about how she would feel about looking after 2 children when you are back to work. I'm sure she would be happy to.

Oh thank you, I didn't think anyone had replied. I suppose I could try to put a bit back starting from now, to see me though the pregnancy stage if I have to leave work early.
With hyperemesis, if you've had it once there's a 70% chance you'll have it again. I'm not going to let that put me off though. I could talk to my GP about the anti sickness medication etc.
My MIL says she'd love to look after another baby, so hopefully it'll be o.k.

How does your DP feel about it all? You haven't mentioned him, but I assume you have one?

We have a beautiful DD and had always planned for two or three, but have resolutely decided that we wouldn't be able to provide for more DCs in the way that we would really like to. So we are sticking with gorgeous DD and giving her everything we possibly can.

BUT that is a decision we made together, after lots of soul searching and talking together. Also, we now feel that our family is 'complete', IYSWIM? If you feel that you're 'not finished' or that there should be more to your family than there currently is, then that's a different matter.

Good luck though, it's a very difficult and emotive decision.

If you

Whoops! Sorry, don't know what happened there - think that 'If you' was a remnant of a copy and paste job at some point?

Thank you, yes I have a husband. So that's a start and he would like another baby, possibly more than me. (He dosn't have to go through the sickness)

Working nights in pregnancy is really hard going I think. Is it possible you could look for another job then ttc?