Should I have another baby? Five questions to ask yourself before having another child
So everything’s going swimmingly with child number one plus, and you (think) you’ve adapted well enough to parenthood to have another baby.
But how do you know if you’re ready?
There are no hard and fast rules about the perfect time to have another child. There are pros and cons to small and large age gaps, so in that respect, you’ll be able to make it work no matter what.
As you may know I am currently 31 weeks pregnant with our 3 baby – we were so sure we woudnt have anymore but here we are!
Is it the best time to have another baby?
Timing is everything. And having a newborn baby can completely take over everything – so it’s worth considering what else is going on in your life before having another.
Do you have the time and energy to look after a baby? And where are you both at in your careers?
It’s also important to ask yourselves whether your other children are ready to deal with the realities of a baby at home.
Regarding age gaps, it is a matter of preference – some mums prefer significant age gaps, so each child gets plenty of attention, while others prefer smaller holes, so their kids have playmates.
Whatever you decide, make sure you consider your health. Your body needs time to recover between births – so if you’ve recently had a baby, enjoy a well-earned rest before conceiving again!
How will another child affect you financially?
Having some degree of financial stability is essential for any family. Doubtless, you know all too well that having a child can cost thousands more per year, so you’ll need to keep some extra money aside.
Understandably, many parents find it challenging to keep up work once they’ve had kids – so think about what you’re likely to want to do and how much nursery and childcare will cost.
Do you and your partner both agree?
Ideally, you and your partner will both want another baby at the same time. This may not be the case – you may feel ready first or vice versa.
The most important thing is to keep the lines of communication open – it may be that your partner only feels you have time for each other again or doesn’t want to miss a moment of those precious years as your firstborn grow up.
Either way, you may not resolve anything immediately. But you do need to understand each other’s perspectives. If you are both ready, there’s no time like the present.
Will your age affect getting pregnant again?
Unfortunately for women, the clock can count against you if you want to conceive again.
For example, if you’re approaching 40 and want two more kids spaced three years apart – time may not be a luxury you can count on as conception becomes more complicated with age.
However, there are no strict rules. Research shows fertility rates drop for women from their mid-30s onwards, but many women still conceive in their 40s.
Are you emotionally ready?
Most importantly, it would help if you considered the emotional health of you and your partner. As you know, a baby can cause dramatic upheaval and shifting priorities in your life – which is not to be underestimated.
Of course, having another baby will always feel daunting, but if the prospect scares you like it didn’t last time, the timing may be wrong.