Unexpected 3rd pregnancy - large ages gaps

[pinkdolphins]

Hello,
im currently 11 weeks pregnant and have been feeling pretty anxious for the most part since finding out. Can anyone give me any reassurances?
My kids are 11 & 8, so large age gaps (I’m 35). It wasn’t planned. We were undecided for years and years whether to have no. 3 and then due to finances we let go of the idea a while back. But we always said if something happens we would embrace it.
So it’s been a whirlwind. We haven’t really told anyone yet, kids don’t know.

in the past I always thought I’d have lots of kids but now it’s happening, this far down the road, the reality of it is scaring me. Birth, breastfeeding, sleepless nights. Not having the freedom for adventures with the older ones. Whether I’m going to ruin their lives or be a crappy mum spread thin. Not to mention I’ll likely have to drop work for a few years…
please give me some positive stories 🙏🏼

I'm so sorry I didn't want to read and run, I don't have any advice but I am also in a similar situation but with a second child and an age gap of 13 years, I feel exactly the same as you do and even questioning the pregnancy now that I wanted for so long. I feel terrible I just can't get excited at all.

I have a 5 month old and a 13 year old. I'm 42 and was taken completely by surprise. I was worried about the age gap and attention spread thin etc. but, honestly, it's been great. Older one has a nickname for the baby and likes to make sure he always says good night etc. He's really excited to have him around and talks about introducing the baby to some of his interests as he grows up.

In terms of the sleepless nights etc., I just took to it all again as if I'd never stopped.

Age gap between my first two was 7 years and then when youngest was 5 along came number three so a 12 years age gap between youngest and eldest but they’re all grown now

all very close and get on really well

i loved that it meant we had good one on one time with each child before they started school

good luck and congratulations op

We had a 14 year old and a 6 year old when I got pregnant with number 3 when I was 40. It was a shock and my emotions were all over the place for a while but it was all fine in the end. Hard, I won't deny having three at such different life stages but now they are adults and very very close.
It's a tricky one and only you know how you feel but I never regretted it

Thanks all. This is reassuring. It isn’t helping that I’ve had intermittent bleeds this pregnancy, so my anxiety is high.
Ugh.
Taking every day as it comes

@MadeWithL0ve it is weird isn’t it. I’ve spent the last 5-6 years upset when someone falls pregnant wit their 3rd or 4ths and here I am feeling super anxious.