For a number of "important reasons", we are done having babies. But I still feel sad knowing we are done. Anyone else?

Oh more than I could ever explain :bighug: Yes I do have 4 children and financially i know we couldn't afford more but there's that part of me that just wasn't ready to be "done" yet. Like I feel I had more to offer?? Sound stupid? I don't know how to explain it and I secretly wish that maybe someday we'll be blessed with another baby. Although it would be next to impossible due to the fact that my tubes are clamped!

~Billy

I'm not really feeling weird about being done and not wanting anymore children but I have noticed that I am feeling very nostalgic I guess you can say. When I hold Lauren I think to myself that this is the last time I'm hold a baby this small, I'm going to really miss the "baby smell", and the cuddling with them sleeping on your chest.

Dawn

No, not really...but i'm not sure we apply. We are done being pregnant, and I'm so happy about that...my two pregnancies have been horrible, I wouldn't wish them on anyone. We are however not done having children, we plan to adopt in 5 or so years.

I'm not really feeling weird about being done and not wanting anymore children but I have noticed that I am feeling very nostalgic I guess you can say. When I hold Lauren I think to myself that this is the last time I'm hold a baby this small, I'm going to really miss the "baby smell", and the cuddling with them sleeping on your chest.

Dawn


this is me excatly.

What a GREAT discussion topic. This has been on my mind A LOT lately. While I feel so SOOOO fortunate to have my two healthy boys, and there are SO many good, important reasons why we don't want to have another child, I feel guilty if I don't cherish every moment with my innocent baby knowing he's going to be my last. I really wish I could just get past this, and not be so sad about it, and was actually starting to wonder if I was crazy for feeling so strongly about this!!!!

I'm dreading packing up the clothes he's outgrown, because I know the next time I'll need them is when I'm ready to donate, sell, or give them away to friends.

BUT then both kids get sick at once, or keep me up all night for whatever reason in the world, and I think...what the HECK am I thinking for feeling so sad about this??? I can't WAIT for a full night of sleep, to be able to shower without having to listen for crying, or to be able to actually go into a restaurant and order what I want to eat, rather than what I want to share with my kid!:lol2:

Erica

I used to be sad about it, especially after my divorce. Now, however, I'm very pleased that the kids are doing as well as they are and the current challenges are making me feel solid in my choice to not have any more. I like being able to focus on each of them individually and can not imagine trying to throw a newborn into the mix.

BUT then both kids get sick at once, or keep me up all night for whatever reason in the world, and I think...what the HECK am I thinking for feeling so sad about this??? I can't WAIT for a full night of sleep, to be able to shower without having to listen for crying, or to be able to actually go into a restaurant and order what I want to eat, rather than what I want to share with my kid!:lol2:

Erica
DITTO!!!!

The only thing I feel weird about is knowing that I will never be PG again. I wanted to enjoy my last PG and it was so awful. That, and I feel like I cant truly enjoy the twins b/c there are two and its soooo hard!!!!

Yes, and a part of me would love to have 2 more children, but when I think about how incredibly hard and exhausting it is, I realize that being done with my 2 under 2 is just right... but it is so weird to think I'll never be pregnant again and part of me is a little envious of those who are because it is such an exciting time.

We're still not 100% sure we're done, but since we're about 99% sure, I'll go ahead and answer this. :lol: I feel weird about the idea of not doing the whole pregnancy thing again, because it's such an experience, and I think it's so overwhelming the first time, that it would be interesting to do it again, knowing a little more about what to expect. And I feel like there are a few things I didn't get to do with Katie (mostly breastfeeding past the first few days of her life) that I'd like another shot at. But I think what I'd REALLY like isn't a second child, it's just a second shot at the pregnancy with Katie, and her newborn days, if that makes any sense? Our family just works so well as a threesome, I really can't picture another child any more. But I do get nostalgic sometimes, and want to replay all the newness and wonder of pregnancy and the newborn stage. (Until I remember labor, and my c-section, and a solid YEAR of reflux... :lol: )

Yes, and no. No right now, because with my recent horrible birth experience, there's no way I want to do this again...but yes, because I know what pangs I get whenever I see newborns...I can't imagine that will go away...

And, it sounds weird...but since childhood I've had this recurring dream of my family...two daughters about 2 years apart in age, and a son who's about 3 or 4 years younger. Now, I have the daughters who are 2 1/2 years apart in age...so I can't help wondering about the "son who might have been"

well, i'm pg now with our second and last child. i will be tying my tubes so needless to say we are certain two is all we want.

i will be 38 when #2 is born. i have no desire to be pg again. my first pg was hard and at only 9wks this one has not been a walk in the park either.

i honestly never thought i'd ever get married, let alone have 2 kids so i consider myself lucky :lol:

We're still not 100% sure we're done, but since we're about 99% sure, I'll go ahead and answer this. :lol: I feel weird about the idea of not doing the whole pregnancy thing again, because it's such an experience, and I think it's so overwhelming the first time, that it would be interesting to do it again, knowing a little more about what to expect. And I feel like there are a few things I didn't get to do with Katie (mostly breastfeeding past the first few days of her life) that I'd like another shot at. But I think what I'd REALLY like isn't a second child, it's just a second shot at the pregnancy with Katie, and her newborn days, if that makes any sense? Our family just works so well as a threesome, I really can't picture another child any more. But I do get nostalgic sometimes, and want to replay all the newness and wonder of pregnancy and the newborn stage. (Until I remember labor, and my c-section, and a solid YEAR of reflux... :lol: )
This is EXACTLY me! It makes me sad when I hear my friend talk about her new pregnancy and knowing that I will most likely never go through that again. It's the hope and anticipation.... the surprise of finding out who is causing all that morning sickness, what they look like, their personality, and who they will grow up to become, while living life with a new set of eyes. Of course I'm going to miss that. There is just that "newness" that is so wonderful... and that newborn smell is just soooo intoxicating! Someone really should figure out how to bottle it up. :lol:

Mandy

Yes and no. I loved my pregnancy with Alex and experiencing that again would be wonderful. However, I'm 36, I have a tween and a toddler and I'm tired. But when my DH got the big 'V', I cried when we left the doctor's office because it was so final. I really don't want anymore children but there will always be that "pang" when I see a baby.

We're also 99% certain we are done with 2. I probably shouldn't answer this right now, being 3 days overdue and completely miserable, but I have been saying throughout most of this pg that I don't think I want to go through this again. I'm loving the fact that Emma is talking, walking, and turning into such a KID, and to be honest I can't wait until #2 is the same age. Its the family trips and such that I'm really looking forward to. The newborn phase just doesn't do it for me as much!

That all being said, I think we'll hold off on DH's big V for just a little while, to make SURE that we're done. :)

After having my second child last year I was positive that I was done and told everyone that I was not having another. I have two healthy boys which seemed to be enough for me. Now it is a year later and I have changed my mind with a little help from DH. He really wants a third child and I am becoming more willing as each day passes to do it again despite my age. Last week I told him that although I am not ready just yet I just might be by the end of this year. I can't believe I am crazy enough to do this again!

Lora

DH is 100% sure we're done. If something happened and we couldn't have any more children, I would be ok with that, but there's really a big part of me that wants another. Actully, I really think I just want to be pg again. Except for some pre-term labor with DD, I had 2 great pg's and really loved being pg. BUT the thought of having to raise another child.... I don't know if I could handle it and if we could afford it. DH is talking about getting the big 'V'. I'm NOT ready for that, but I told him we would talk again in a year or so.

My 2 best friends are both currently TTC, so hopefully I'll get to play "auntie" soon! :)

I would like to have one more child, but dh doesn't. The thought that I will never be pregnant again, or never give birth again makes me really sad. I hope that I will be able to change his mind over time, but I think it will be really tough. I have always said I wanted to have 3 children. I adore my girls with all my heart, but I think one more child would complete our family.

I am a little sad going through this pg knowing that it is our last one (#3 for us) but at the same time I feel relieved. At 26 I feel I am getting two old for this ( I have a soon to be 4 year old & a just turned 2 year old) and frankly I am sick of the baby stage. My kids are just getting to the fun stage now where they enjoy our boat, enjoy more outdoor activities, etc. Dh & I have talked about him getting the "v" late this summer/ early fall after our son is born in June. It is a bit scary knowing that we will never get pg again since getting pg does come so easy to both of us. Most of our friends/family are just now starting to have kids or will be having kids in the future so I know that I will be nostalgic especially once we can't have anymore! But I do not have any desire to have a fourth or more. I just know in my heart that we are done. I know that won't stop me from being sad and/or nostalgic in the future though!

Tina