... just found out i'm pregnant with my 3rd ........ bit shocked and worried

[shocknews]

I've just done a test and I'm pregnant with my 3rd. I have 2 dd's who will be 4 and 2. I work full time on shifts and wasn't really planning a 3rd yet ! I know I should be happy (and I'm sure I will be when I get used to the idea) but have so many issues to consider.

I've been preclamptic with both my dd's so am nervous of that (lucky to have both as missed by midwife and hospital until I went into labour with both, despite supposed monitoring), had dd2 by VBAEmCS but ended up with episiotomy so ALREADY panicking ! Both were tiny babies even at full term. Think I could be anything from 5 to 9 weeks. Really wasn't ready for this !!

How on earth do you cope with 3 under age 5yrs ?

How do you get 3 car seats inyour car ? Etc etc ?

Any reassurance would be great.

Sorry its a bit rambling, must have caught head up arse syndrome too !

Ps I'm not new, I've namechanged as not telling anyone in RL or work yet.

both honda frv and a toyota corolla verso fir 3 car seats across the back...

I think the Scenic is quite good at fitting three seats in. We met a couple with a dd and then twins on a day out and that was what they had.

Regarding the birth where you mention the episiotomy. I've had three and recovered very well, repeat episiotomy is not the end of the world if you do end up needing one.

Hi, firstly, congratulations.
We have three children a 3 month old ds, 3 yr old dd and 5yr old dd. I am enjoying it and feel like my family is now complete. We have a Toyota Avensis and it is a bit of a squeeze, but all three car seats fit in the back.

congrats!
I had 3 aged 3 and under, when ds2 was born. DD was 3.9, Ds1 2.7. Wasn't hard really, but i suffered from pnd real bad and have only just taken myself off the citalopram and did it cold turkey which i wouldnt recommend!
You need a good family network and dh/dp.
Ds2 is 13months now and a little treasure and they all get on so well! We also have a dog, cats, dragons, a snake, a gp, and a rabbit so full house but great!
When ds2 was born we lived in a 2 bedroom for the first 6 months (before animals too!). But now live in a 3 bedroom huge bungalow which unforunatley the landlord has decided to sell!
We have a picasso which is perfect as big boot too!
Good luck x

Congratulations. I had DD2 when DS1 was 13 mths and DD1 was 22 mths so very close together. DD2 was a suprise and I was shocked for a while but Im now expecting DD3 and my oldest is 5.
I love it , its worked really well they are all so close and a joy to be around. Plus we never got out of the baby phase so feeding and nappies etc just went on a bit longer rather than starting all over again. I think it might be harder this time around because of the age gap and the fact that DD2 walks everywhere and is is pants all the time so back to buggy's and nappies for me.
Ill let you know if im so glowing in parise when I have 4 under 6

Forgot to say we bit the bullet when we were expecting DD2 nad got a VW Shara, I wouldnt be wothout a people carrier now especially as we camp as well so the room is needed. We do have to have a roofbox and will need a trailer to keep camping when no 4 arrives.

We have a touran and use a roof box for holidays. I do think you need to go as big as you can afford as it does make life easier.

We already have a 7 seater KIA carens but it doesn't look like it would take another seat across the middle row. The seats they have are maxi cosi tobi and the new baby one is a cabrio. Sure they wouldn't fit :-( will have to look at other mpv's I think.

Oh my word, i've just stayed up after working all night, only to ring the docyors at 8.47 to be told they've no appts til 11th May !! Only another 3 wks !!

Hi, I just wanted to say congratulations. When dd2 was born, dd1 was just under 4 and ds was 22 months. It was a totally unplanned pregnancy (mirena coil failure!) as I had been very ill having ds and had pretty much been told not to have any more!

It took a good while to get my head round it, but I did in the end. I was very ill during the pregnancy and afterwards (30 hospital admissions in 30 months) but we coped.

We lived a long way from family at that time, and we did need a little extra support - we employed a Mother's Help for 8 hours a week and that saved my sanity. She did the basic cleaning and washing, helped with cooking and shopping and doted on the kids - she's still a close friend and we see her whenever we return to where we used to live for holidays. If you can afford practical help like a cleaner then I would advise it!!

I had to try to be fairly organised to cope with the 3 of them but did it - even ill and with pnd too. Life was a bit on the chaotic side but now they are 10, 8, 6, good friends and so much fun to be with.

We now drive a Zafira (which I would highly recommend) but we did get 3 car seats (2 toddler seats and a first stage baby seat) across the back of an Astra.

Hope it all goes well for you.

There are quite narrow booster seats around that you would be able to fit in the middle in most cars apart from the very smallest.

Although ideal for a 4/5 year old to travel in a proper car seat, the middle seat is the safest in the car - the child is protected from side impact as they are in the middle. You might find by changing your car seats for the narrowest ones possible you can fit three proper one without changing the car.

Would be good if we didn't have to change car, mind you, I really love the maxi cosi car seats too ! Dd1 is getting tall in hers now so will be on the lookout for a slim highback booster (if one exists. !) .

Thanks for all your congrats and words of encouragement xx