How did you know your family was complete

[springbaby22]

Just wondering when you all knew you were done with having children?

When I had the most horrendous third pregnancy (wanted to die) and genuinely thought I was going to die in labour. Didn't feel like that with the first two even although I was very ill.
I always wanted 3 or 4. Decided to stop at 2, which I had made my peace with, but then had a little surprise. I absolutely adore her and I'm so glad I had her. Even although it would be nice to have another, I couldn't do that to myself or my family again.

Was still wanting another after second.

Didn't feel like that after third. Felt right for our family.

Knew we were done and luckily me and hubby on the same page

Why do you ask?

Age. Being tired. Not enjoying last baby. Size of car. Logistics. Costs. We considered private schools so didn’t want to out stretch the budget. Easier to get back to work.

Didn't feel done after baby #2. Now 9+2 with baby #3 and 100% know that I am done. I'm 36 soon, absolutely exhausted every second I'm awake with this pregnancy. I cannot do this again, and I don't think, for me, it would be fair on my other children to..I'm just so so worn out. I want my body back, I want my choices back (aka to have a glass of wine). Don't get me wrong I'm thrilled to be pregnant but this is definitely, definitely my last.

If you have to ask you’re probably not done yet! I thought I wanted three, but wasn’t sure if I was done afterwards. Knew immediately after number 4 with complete certainty.

I wanted another, but DH didn’t. So we didn’t. It was the right decision. I think it can be quite hard to accept - it indicates that stage of life for you is finished for ever, that you are getting older etc.

When I married my second husband knowing that he'd had a vasectomy.

@TizerorFizz

Age. Being tired. Not enjoying last baby. Size of car. Logistics. Costs. We considered private schools so didn’t want to out stretch the budget. Easier to get back to work.

I know what you mean about costs and logistics, especially size of homes (mostly 3 beds) and if you want to travel, give them private education, also rising costs of living. How old are yours?

For me it lack of anymore parenting capacity and having a high birth. I was 36 when my second was born and we just don’t have the ability to listen to and read separately to anymore than 2 children. Plus we wouldn’t be able to provide the opportunities we wanted for them. Having said that I was still 99% certain and why DH text me to say the snip was complete and I felt relief as well as little sadness I knew we had made the right decision.

@Ginandplatonic

If you have to ask you’re probably not done yet! I thought I wanted three, but wasn’t sure if I was done afterwards. Knew immediately after number 4 with complete certainty.

Haha I've always wanted 3 and expecting dc3 after quite a gap but contemplating the idea of 4th BUT need to see how things go first. I think 4 personally is max. What's the age gap between yours?

Done after 2.
Too old and tired for another pregnancy birth and baby.
Worried about risks in preg and to child as older parents - know of many people whose third child has problems.
Concerns about environment & state of world - what life will children have.
Want body and life back.
Don't want to buy new car, house etc.
Logistical and financial difficulties of life with three kids.
Already have children of the sex we wanted.
Both healthy, don't want to take the piss with the dice.

When I had two dc, I would have a little pang of envy when I saw pregnant women in the street. After I had my third, that became a pang of 'phew, I'm not doing that again'.

Already glad this is my last pregnancy, I am SO DONE. Could have felt that after the last one I think but would have required a bit of mental effort to really come round to the pros of stopping then.

I can’t afford a third, that’s the main thing. If money were no object I think I’d have a whole football team!

Dd1 was a very difficult baby and toddler (almost coming out the other side now at 8) and the possibility of having another like her is terrifying. We risked it for no2 and she is a delight compared to her sister thankfully!

The thought of starting all over again is exhausting. I’m only mid 30’s but there’s a 4 year age gap between my two so it already feels like Groundhog Day going through each phase again and the thought of starting all over again and having to go through the sleepless nights, the feeding, the nappies, weaning etc fills me with dread.

Had PPH with both labours, couldn’t have done that again. Was too worrying and DH was scared it would be worse again as the risk goes up each time.

Plus I’m tired. My DC still wake at 5.30 and they’re primary age. Oh and I only have two hands.

We agreed when I was pregnant with DC1 that 2 would be it for us. Then a difficult pregnancy, long hospital stay and rough c section recovery with DC2 cemented it. Kept all of DC1s baby things for 2 years to use again when we had DC2. Now as he's growing it of it we can't get rid of it fast enough. It's just a feeling when I look at them both of this is all I need, my life feels full.

@Vintagecreamandcottagepie

Was still wanting another after second.

Didn't feel like that after third. Felt right for our family.

Knew we were done and luckily me and hubby on the same page

Same reason as you, always wanted 3 and now expecting dc3 so will see how it goes after this one comes along 😊

I'm 6 days postnatal with no 3. I'm never having sex again. Ever.

When my DH told me I couldn’t have another.

@wingingit33

I'm 6 days postnatal with no 3. I'm never having sex again. Ever.

Loool 😂 that bad?! Was it the birth or pregnancy?

@bumpertobumper

When I had two dc, I would have a little pang of envy when I saw pregnant women in the street. After I had my third, that became a pang of 'phew, I'm not doing that again'.

Hoping the same too.

@intheblightgarden

Done after 2. Too old and tired for another pregnancy birth and baby. Worried about risks in preg and to child as older parents - know of many people whose third child has problems. Concerns about environment & state of world - what life will children have. Want body and life back. Don't want to buy new car, house etc. Logistical and financial difficulties of life with three kids. Already have children of the sex we wanted. Both healthy, don't want to take the piss with the dice.

How old is old do you think? I've seen younger women be effected too. I'm in late 30s so it's a worry.

I'm 40. Yes it seems to be people who have a "last ditch third baby" close to 40 and I don't know if it's just a coincidence but I know of several with autism, birth defects etc. Obviously millions are born without too. Just depends on your attitude to risk. And whether you mind about those conditions

In an ideal world I'd have had three kids probably, but I just didn't want to have to deal with years more of nursery fees, needing a bigger car, house, pricier holidays etc. Wanted childbearing over by mid 30s as I have a condition that likely to lead to lowered mobility and pain in my 40s and didn't want to have to be dealing with young children with that (luckily hasn't come on yet half way through my 40s now).

Also, we had been so lucky with our two as babies and toddlers - I was sure 2nd DC would have to be Satan after our first , but he was also pretty easy, so a third really seemed like tempting fate!