Do you/ did you know when you’re done having babies?

[Jaaxe]

Hi all, is it clear when you are done having babies? I’m due my 4th baby (unplanned might I add) at the end of the year. I’ll be 32 when that one is born. My others are 9,4 and 2. I’m due an elective section, I know I’ll have to decide whether to be sterilised. They offered it last time but I wasn’t sure and in my heart I always wanted 4. I was only 29 then too and felt I still had a few potential baby making years ahead of me if one more was what I wanted.

My head is telling me 4 is plenty and as I don’t have the smoothest of pregnancies and births it would probably be sensible to be sterilised….my heart on the other hand is saying what if you aren’t done and regret it? And that it all feels very final and I should be 100% on my decision.

Did you or do u ever know when your done having babies? Is 32 a good age to be sterilised? Am I just sad this will be my last and I should just suck it up and go with my head? And anyone who has been sterilised any advice or let me know how it was for them?

36 weeks pregnant with my second and very much done. It's taken up a huge chuck of my life and I don't want to do it again. This pregnancy has been ok but much much harder than my first.

@YouBoggleMyMind yeah maybe I’ll be more decisive towards the end of my pregnancy depending how it all goes, just wanted to be clear with my decision early but maybe I won’t be. Thanks x

I do think a lot of women are hard wired to want to having babies. Like, they never feel done if that make sense. I guess it's more of a practical choice once you've had more than one? We never wanted more than 2 but it was a really long and hard ride to get here and I'm just ready to close this chapter.

So, at 32 you’re looking at around 20ish years until you won’t need contraception in order to avoid pregnancy. Pregnancies still happen in women right up until menopause even if the chances of carrying a baby to term become tiny from your mid forties.
If you’re unsure about the finality of sterilization then you could try a Long Acting Reversible Method like a copper coil or a mirena coil (lose dose targeted hormonal method). They can be left in for between 3-10 years but if you ever decide you want another child you just have it taken out.

Maybe go for a less extreme procedure. Could your partner have the snip. Much less invasive surgery.

I think 32 is very young to decide never have another child. Equally if I'd had 4 babies I can't imagine I'd want more.

I was 34 when I had my first and was adamant that we would only have one, we continued to be adamant and very sure of our decision until last year when I turned forty. I'm now almost 39 weeks with my second, so it can change. Like others have suggested maybe look at something like the coil, I had the copper coil and was happy with it. Although will be pushing DH to have a vasectomy now as definitely don't want another after this one :)

I'm absolutely done like Done House on Definitely Done Street (seriously, I am done!) but I wouldn't want to be sterilised just... because I don't. We use other methods of contraception. Doesn't need to be this or that.

My sister is pregnant with her 6th and still wants more 🥴🥴🥴 don't think she'll ever stop lol xxx

I'm pregnant with my 3rd and I know this is definitely the last for many reasons, my pregnancy's and births are fine but I don't want to push my body to the limit and end up with multiple issues when older in terms of gynae. I feel my body is just done at 3 and should not push my luck. Also we want each child to have their own room and we will have to pay for further education should they want it, so I suppose to us 3 is the maximum to ensure they have a good quality of life really and can all fit in the car.