To fourth or not to fourth

[SparkleRainbow]

Well advice please third timers, and all others. DH is desperate for a fourth. We have ds (7), dd(4) dd(19months)..... can I cope? I am now 38 is that too old? Is it socially irresponsible to have a large family? I don't know, I love my kids so much, heart would like another, head says....whoooow there!

No 38 is not too old!! I am 6 months pg with DC4 which wasn't entirely planned. I must admit, I really thought I was done at 3, youngest is 2.6. But things change and I really didn't want to get to 50 and think 'what if'..
Yes, it does feel different this time around; I am more tired etc, and I do worry if I really can 'cope'. You just do, I think and enjoy it while it lasts!
Am not sure what is or isn't 'socially responsible'; all I know is if it feels right, go for it. There are many more things than having another child that are socially irresponsible, in my book.

Am 41 and due to have DC4 in October. Others are 6, 5 and 23 months. We can afford it, I don't see it as irresponsible.

I am much more tired than I thought I would be though and it took longer to conceive this baby than the other three. I sometimes worry about how much work there will be but the older two are really at a helpful age, the youngest will be five half days in nursery so it'll just be a case of being very organised.

My deciding factor was thinking about how I would feel in 5 years time and be wondering "what if..."

Thank you for your replies, you have made me think about a few things. It is true there are many more things that are socially irresponsible than having a large family. I hope that my dc grow up to be productive, caring members of society, they seem to be making a good start from what others say about them. My older two have been fantastic already with the baby, right from the moment she arrived so I have no concerns about them coping with another sibling.

Financially we would be fine, I am still not working, and we are comfortable enough now, and still managing to save for the dc future.

I was very tired with the third preg, but I was terribly anaemic and undiagnosed for months, so I wouldn't make that mistake again.

I can't help feeling ...."How would I feel in 5 years time.....?"