Surprise DC#3 whilst studying for a Masters

[mama0f3]

Hello Mamas

So I've recently found out we're expecting baby number 3. I'm 36 and currently have a ds 10 and dd7, I've always wanted a third child but much closer age to my other 2. My husband was adamant he was happy with 2 and we were done, so I literally came to terms with only having 2 children recently and stopped pestering him and instead thought about advancing my career. I'm currently doing my masters which started in April 22 and due to finish June '23. Baby is due March / April 22 so praying I'll be done with first year out the way.

I'm super anxious about telling uni and placement, feel a bit silly getting pregnant whilst in uni on such a demanding course.
I'm sure I'm not the first and won't be the last though.

DH is now more excited than I am about the idea of another!

I have a mixture of feelings, worried about such a big gap between our kids, how I will continue with my course during pregnancy and after baby is born, how I will handle 3, starting all over again with a baby.

Has anyone else ever been in a similar situation? Similar age gaps? Any words of comfort or reassurance would be appreciated as haven't told anyone IRL (only 7 weeks 1 day according to a private scan). Feeling so lonely and isolated atm.

Congratulations! This was clearly meant to be and I'm sure you will really enjoy having a third. My older two were 9 and 6 when dd3 was born and I honk it's an amazing gap. They are all v close and the older two really benefited from having a baby in the family.
I wasn't doing a masters but I did finish my first degree a few weeks after dd1 arrived. You will find the university very chilled I think. In the real world adult women have babies and study. You won't be the first. Try and enjoy the next few weeks, a baby is amazing news.

Slightly different perspective - me and my brother were 9 and 7 when my mum fell pregnant with my sister, also unplanned. I love the age gap. I remember being absolutely obsessed with my baby sister and we've had the best bond growing up we've always all got on so well, no matter what age we were (the normal squabbles here and there but I'd say she's always been a best friend).
And when we were a bit older, ready made baby sitters

"Hello Mamas"

Congratulations!

I'm sure Uni will be fine with it. I'm on a graduate medicine course and people are constantly taking a year out here and there because they're having a baby. It's just life!

I was pregnant whilst doing a masters I asked for a years extension, which you are entitled too regardless of pregnancy and nailed it! You have got this!

Congratulations!

I'm doing a 3 years Masters too and am just about to start my final year, and my first baby is due in January. I plan to get as much of my dissertation done by early January before going on Maternity leave for a year.

I am not worrying about it too much as other people have said, university's are very used to students needing to take time out and defer for a variety of personal reasons.

@Northernlurker

Congratulations! This was clearly meant to be and I'm sure you will really enjoy having a third. My older two were 9 and 6 when dd3 was born and I honk it's an amazing gap. They are all v close and the older two really benefited from having a baby in the family. I wasn't doing a masters but I did finish my first degree a few weeks after dd1 arrived. You will find the university very chilled I think. In the real world adult women have babies and study. You won't be the first. Try and enjoy the next few weeks, a baby is amazing news.

Thank you so much @Northernlurker for taking time to write this! You're very right, DH said the same thing about it being meant to be. How old are your 3 now? Was it hard transitioning with a new born all over again?

They are 23, 20 and 14 now! It's flown by. As an aside I'm so glad we have dd3 as otherwise the empty nest would be biting! By the time she's old enough to fly I think I'll have had enough

I really enjoyed the baby stage. You know it's only for such a short time because you've survived it before and it felt like a gift tbh. Obviously there were points middle of the night when she didn't sleep etc when you think 'what have I done' but it has a different perspective to when you are dealing with your first or second child.