Thanks both of you - the more feedback I get the more it seems that a big family is a happy one! xx

I have 3 boys - James 2yrs 9 months, Isaac-Elijah 18 months and Tyler 7 weeks. They are all close in age and I love it.

I would love another baby but not till the boys are older as they are all still babies really and I dont want to have to share my time out between 4 - I like to have quality 1 on 1 time with each and think that would be a bit hard to do with 4 and still keep sane at the mo!!

Also if I was to have another baby I think I would like to have another boy as Im not really a girlie girl myself also her Dad would make her life a misery LOL! She wouldnt be able to go anywhere or do anything! Still Id be happy either way.

Hi all love reading your posts. Its also nice to see other people who have children close together, most of my friends only have one child and are either not planning anymore or want 4 years between them.

Just wondered tho how people find babysitting with 3+children. My boys are 17 months and feel that it is alot to ask people to mind them, trying to plan cover for when i go into labour has been quite stressful, and must say that im worried if we went for no 4 no-one could cope with 3 children.

xxDBxx 39 weeks

brandollarz - wow your 3 are very close in age! That is my main concern about another one, giving them enough time each but as I am getting keener on the idea all the time (especially with all of these positive posts) I guess I will have to just make sure they do get individual time.

DB - we only have each other to baby sit so when we do go out (not very often, me usually shopping, hubby back to work or occasionally out), it is individually. I have to say I'm not that bothered about going out much in fact I prefer evenings in after tiring days with the children!
My parents only live about 8 miles away but my mum had a stroke 2 years ago and is severely disabled and needs someone with her all the time so my dad can't get out much either. My in laws live 250 miles away so on the very few occasions they come down to stay we do get to go out - or rather have in the past but as I am still breastfeeding my 16 month old, by the time she has had her evening feed and gone to bed at 7.30 - 8.00 it's usually to late to get to the cinema etc anyway!!
My friend has 3 and they go and stay with her parents 150 miles away quite a lot especially in holidays but although my in laws keep asking if the boys can go and stay, I'm not keen as I would miss them too much and for other reasons. I agree that it gets more difficult the more children you have and I don't think they would manage well with the 3 of them let alone 4 (although they had 4 boys themselves). We are so used to managing on our own now and with my routines it is fine so I would just rather look after them myself anyway!

We just couldn't plan for childcare for the boys when Abigail was due which was quite stressful because there really wasn't anyone to ask. However, it fortunately worked out well because I went into labour when the boys were at school and nursery ( so a reasonable time) and as I was having a homebirth anyway, a friend (who has 3 children of her own) managed to pick them up and keep them out of the way until she was born - which didn't take long (again fortunately). Do you have relatives or friends who can take the boys when you go into labour? xx

What was a home birth like? I always disliked the idea but now ive got kids the idea of staying at home to deliver appeals to me more, although due to previous section im not allowed one.

Re babysitting my parents are great but they find the boys hard work and not sure how they would cope with three. I will be alright during labour providing its before the 25th august (im due 16th) as my parents have just booked to go away for a week, so frantically trying to get back up plans. My inlaws are also amazingly good but father in law is disabled, so dont like to take the piss and leave them there too long. I know that the boys come first whatever and my dh will have them if i go into labour, but i really want him with me especially after having an emergency c-section under general anesthtic last time.

If you do decide to go for no 4 what sort of age gap would you like?

Hi my home birth was absolutely fantastic, the best day of our lives!! I rarely stop raving on about it as it was so wonderful and perfect. Everything was so good but one of the great advantages is spending the first night at home in your own bed with your family and new baby. Will you have another section this time or try for a normal delivery? If you have a normal one this time maybe you might have a home birth with the next one?!!

I'm guessing your boys weren't late? so you don't know if you will go over this time. Was the section planned last time?

When to have no 4 is the big dilemma!! I always wanted all my children close together but after the 2 mc between no2 & 3 there was a 4 year gap and I have really enjoyed it as the boys are now both at school and it felt like having a 1st child again (but with the benefits of them playing with Abigail after school while I make tea!!). However, I have age against me and don't want too big a gap between them all.....but then I want to leave the hope and looking forward to a last pregnancy and baby for as long as possible! I would also like a summer/early autumn baby next time if all goes to plan (which it didn't with the mc). At the moment my thoughts are to try at the end of next year for a 2010 baby (so Abi would be 3 and a bit) but that could change at any time!! xx

its lovely to hear such a positive birth story. really glad everything went well.
I tried for normal birth with the boys but had to be transferred during labour as my hospital had no room in nicu. they gave me drugs to stop labour so that i wouldnt deliver in ambulance but they worked too well and despite having the drip labour never really established and then i developed pre-eclampsia. desperatly hoping for a vbac, but they think that baby is massive so just gotta go with the flo.
Had the boys at 35 weeks exactly am now 39+3 and keep having painful contractions so hope it wont be long.

I think a baby when Abigail is 3 would be lovely esp as you then get nursery vouchers, so that you can spend quality time with new arrival. xx

It's great that you are going to try for a vbac this time - the best thing to do for big babies is keep as mobile and upright as you can and let gravity help with getting baby out. Stay positive and focus that you will be able to have a normal delivery and don't let the Drs talk you into another section unless it is really necessary. I really hope you have a good birth and look forward to hearing all about it! Hope it's not too long to wait.xx

Hey

Hope your good?

Tried really hard for my vbac had 36 hours of labour but stopped progressing at 6cms and then started to bleed heavily so had to have a emergency section, but at least i was awake (despite having 2 failed epidurals and then a spinal) and my gorgeous son was born on 15th August the day before his due date.

However had real problems with my section and the consultant has said although the decision is up to me, he wouldnt recommend that i got pregnant again. And if i did he would recommend that i waited 2 years and if we had tried for no 4 i wouldnt have wanted that big an age gap. So I guess that is the end of the road for my expanding family as at the end of the day I have 3 healthy children and dont really want to risk complications when i have them to think about. I am however really saddened by the fact, even tho i know im really lucky.

Have you decided yet if your gonna try for no 4? Now i know i shouldnt, I must admit id like too even more

xxDBxx

Hi DB I have just seen your post on the labour and birth forum and was going to send you a reply (we are on hols in France at the moment and are staying somewhere for the weekend with internet access so I couldn't resist signing on!!). Sorry to hear that the birth wasn't what you had hoped for but Congratulations on the safe arrival of your son. When was he born? What is his name? How do you feel?
I am so enjoying my 3 at the moment, especially my daughter who is so funny that I would still like 4 but will definately wait if we do decide to try for another one.
What do the twins think of their new brother? xx

Hi i have 3 at the moment and wont be having any more, mine are Ellie 6, Leo 1, and James 2 months and its hard work, we only wanted 2 but James was abit of a surprise a nice and much loved and wanted one but still a surprise as you can tell by the age gap lol

I had a really bad time with James blood clot in my eye, small bleed on my brain a hernia from having 2 so close together that the docs warned me against another i dont think my body could take it anyway. I am 28 and the docs just put me on the waiting list to be sterilised, some times hubby and i talk about having a fourth to even things out and another girl but he has said he wouldnt like me to go through the medical probs again so 3 for us it is.
vikki xx

Salute, Ca va?

A holiday in France you lucky thing, hope the weather is good and your enjoying it.

Baby was born on 15.08 day before his due date weighing in at 8lb 8oz which was much smaller than predicted. We have named him Beauford Thomas, but we are calling him Bodhi and if he decides he doesnt like it we figure that Thomas is a nice and safe middle name and i love the abbreviation of Tomy.

The boys have taken to him really well, they started kissing him goodnight even tho i didnt ask them too, its as if he has always been there.

I was disappointed with the birth but relived that Bodhi was born safe, I am really disappointed with the fact ive been advised not to have any more tho. Dh is seeing the doc next week to book in for the snip, he says that we cant put my body through it again and that i should listen to the doc and be thankful for what we have got. dont get me wrong i am but I would love to have tried again for a girl and would still have been pleased to have a nice round no of 4 boys.

So now its def no more kids i guess i best start thinking about getting my figure back, but got a bit of excuse as breast feeding and baby needs chocolate he he.

xxDBxx

DB - glad to hear Bodhi arrived safe n sound but sorry to hear u've been advised against anymore. Prob best to heed their advice thou.......my dh can totally understand where urs is coming from as he said he'd be the same if any prob had arose in previous pregnancies!

I've got 12wks left til this one is due and have already told dh that his 'thingy' is banned from coming anywhere near the lower part of my body after birth until I've got contraception sorted out lol lol lol

Hi just wondering if there is anyone else out there with more than 3 children? xx

Hi,ive got 5 children, boy 22, girl 20, girl 12, boy 7 and boy 17 mths! I would still like to have another as i dont feel ready to stop having children yet! I know sometimes its tough because money can sometimes be tight but its so worth it in the end. My husband works hard and at times i have also worked so my children have never gone without. I cant imagine my life without my wonderful children and i really look forward to a future with lots of grandchildren. I really cant see a downside to have lots of children except you have to be really organised with money!! lov Debs xx

Hi Debs

Thanks for that - wow - some people have 2 lots of children with a big age gap but you are on your 3rd lot!! Good for you! Having had my first 2 very close together in age I ended up really enjoying a 4 year gap between 2 and 3 (not by choice, I had 2 mc). Unfortunately I am too old to wait too long for no4.
How does your hubby feel about having another one? xx

Hi, well hubby isnt as keen on another as i am but i normally get my own way!! lol. Time isnt on my side either as im 41 so ive got to get a move on. I know if i dont go for it now ill regret it later in life after all we are only on this earth for such a short time so you have to do all the things you want to do before its too late! Good luck. Debs xx

Hiya,
This was so interesting to read,
Wev'e been thinking of no'4 for a while and one of my concerns was time for each child. But as I've realised you just make time.
The other worry was car size as at the moment we only have a five seater and don't really want to get finance for a larger one. Either we will save for a car before trying or go for it and get one later..........funny isn't it how something symple like a car can put a hold on your plans!!!!!
It sounds like your so happy with trying for a large family and it makes me want the five I've always planned on.(much to hubby suprise!!!!!!!!)
I noticed your post was a dated a little while ago so I hope things are all going well.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hi
Debs - did you have any trouble conceiving any of yours? I haven't at all so far and got pregnant the first time we tried for all 5 (had 2 mc) but do worry that I might in the future as I am 38 now. I agree with you that I feel that I might regret it later if I don't have another one - it's not something that I can change my mind about it in10 years time and decide I want another one then (OK well I suppose I could but definately wouldn't want to!)

babs3 - How old are your children? we have a 7 seater but it would still be a problem for us if we had another as we take my disabled mum and her friend away quite a bit - I keep joking about needing an 8 seater if we have another! At the moment I am really enjoying having the 3 of them but allways have in my mind trying for another in about years time. To be honest I feel so fortunate to have 3 which is the least amount that I always wanted but another would be a definate bonus!
Thanks for your reply - I love hearing from everyone!! xx

hi. you all know i have 5 kids, thomas 9, oliver 7, joshua 5 , rosie 3 and archie 16 months.
the car thing was an issue for us as well. we have only just got ourselves a 7 seater. we have coped for all this time with a 5 seater. it just wasn't a priority for us to have a bigger car. but we have saved hard to get one and got a p reg galaxy. it's great to get out as family. if we were to have another one we would need a 8 seater, but still debating on that one. having another child would mean alot of up heaval within the house and i think that i feel my family is complete. but some days i think i would love another one. but hubby not as keen. i suffer from pre eclampsia in pregnancy so it's a big decision that would affect all the kids, especially if i was to become ill again. we always discuss with the kids about having another baby, as they live here as well. and we don't want to comprimise their happiness just fro the sake of having another baby. we are all happy plodding along with the 7 of us really at the mo. but i have found it hard recently trying to come to terms with the possibility that i may not have any more babies and archie is the last one i will ever breastfeed, it's hard to deal with. but i will make my final decision next year when archie turns 2 . so watch this space.xxx