Pregnant with #4..FREAKING OUT!

EXCITING!!

Try not to be overwhelmed. You can do this. You really can. I never thought I could do three kids....but we do.

And other than the fact that you wasted $20 on a "more expensive test" - life is good! I cracked up at that line. Cause the dollar tests create false positives? Too funny. I probably would have done the same thing, though. Lol.

How did hubby react??!

I don't have 4 kids - but I can tell you it is super stressful to add another kid to the mix.

My best advice:

- you have to start to learn to let more things go (if you don't already). The house will never be spotless. It is not worth fighting with DH over. If you have frozen pizza for dinner one night per week, no one will die. Those kinds of things, if you can be more laid back about, will help tremendously.

- Instill the help of family and friends now (well, as soon as you are ready to tell them the news!). You will need them.

- go take a nap

CONGRATS!!

if it makes you feel any better at all, I'm expecting number 5 and freaking out as well. My kids are almost 12, 10, 8 and almost 7 months! In case anyone wonders, when they tell you breastfeeding is not great birth control, they are right! I hate being pregnant, I'm sick and miserable for 9 months, and I'm ok with another baby, just not thrilled with the time it takes to get there just now. Maybe it won't be so bad for either of us. We can hope right?!Good luck! and just know you are not alone!

We have 4... the first three were born within 4 years (August 1982, April 1984, August 1986)..... and then, several years later, we decided to have another... the first 3 are girls, and the last is the boy.. he was born November 1991.

All 3 were older, so they were always able to be a big help, but I do remember it was rather chaotic when #3 was born, and I had 3 kids 4 and under!

I don't think there was really that much different between 3 and 4... you just get used to planning ahead when you have to go somewhere. I realize it may be more difficult since the younger two are so close together, but your oldest can sure be a big help there... he/she can help hold hands in parking lots, etc.....

It will all work out!

I will trade lives with you:) It has been long enough between pregnancies now that I kinda wish I could have another!!

What joy for you!! Dont let this be a stress. Maybe it is god giving you and your hubby a reason to try and stick it out....(I dont know what your situation is...with your marriage....so stick it out if its safe)

Congrats to you mama!!! Take it day by day:)

i just had my 4th boy 4 months ago and the oldest is 6. it was much harder for me going from 2 kids to 3 than it has been having 4 kids. i have also found that my 6yo is very helpful with his younger brothers especially my 2yo. anyway i'm sure everything will workout great. congratulations to you!

I had Irish twins. First two 11 1/2 months apart. Then 13 months apart.
Then 14 month apart. We planned it that way. Just did babies. Tiring yes
but well worth it. Big one should be pretty independent. You will do it.
Congratulations.

I am currently pregnant with #2. My son is 19 months old. They will be almost exactly 2 years apart. My due date is the day after my son's birthday. This was absolutely a surprise. I got really sick one morning and just knew. I ran to to the Dollar Store right down the road. I bought 5 pregnancy test. All said positive in just seconds. I scheduled an apt on Monday, it was confirmed. I was feeling a bit overwhelmed. How could we possible afford another? I just kept thinking about all the expenses like diapers, formula, and wipes. I was just beside myself when my husband reassured me that we would be ok. It took me several weeks to be comfortable about it. But now we are excited. Everything will fall in to place. Give yourself time to adjust. Best of wishes to you and your growing family!

I have 4 and number 4 was a surprise, but he is the light of my life. All mine are, really, but he is so normal, happy, fun,. I can't imagine life without him.

It will be OK. Well maybe life will be more stressful, more loud, more rambunctious, filled with more love.
My friend has 5 boys, she wouldn't know what to do with a girl.
Congratulations!!!

Blessings. Take it one day at a time. I can't give much advice but he/she will be incredible and you will be in love all over again.

I am half way to having number 5. I also had the pregnancy test show right away. When I had an ultrasound to find out how far, I was already 12 weeks. I have a 3 yr old and 3 12 yrs old and I told my husband I do not want more kids. Then bc obviously failed and now we will. I totally feel overwhelmed sometimes. I know that when the baby does come, things will work out. But it is the road getting there that is crazy.

My mom had 4 and she made it thru. She was a little crazy, but she always had a smile on her face and was always willing to do anything fun twice! Anyone who knows me thought I'd have a houseful of children, but due to my diabetes I was only able to have 2 children, 2 beautiful girls I am very thankful for. It is hard sometimes to make it thru the day with them so I can only imagine your fears, but you have made it this far w/3 so what's one more! You'll do it, and when you feel like you are unraveling jump on this site and bang away at the keys whatever it is and we'll all listen and respond. I know that it doesn't always do something for the "right now" but just knowing that there is someone at the other end who cares makes a huge difference. Best of luck to you.

Breathe!!! Blessings to you and your little embryo. No one said this motherhood business would be easy.

Congrats, you will calm down soon enough and appreciate the blessing.
In the mean time, it may be hard but with two in full time school and very able to understand what is going on and the added responsibilities you are going to have they will be able to pick up the pace a bit. I would suggest if you can to try some therapy with the hubby before number 4 comes. Being on the same page with a new addition will definitely cut down the stress that comes with a major adjustment. I don't have four but I have three kids under four and four months after my daughter's arrival we are still struggling to be at harmony all the time.
A serious idea to consider is having your hubby get a vasectomy in the next few months. It is a much simpler procedure and the recovery is next to nothing. With four children you won't have the time and ability to go through tubes tying too. Then you are good to go after the baby comes and you won't have to worry about baby number 5!! ;)

Honestly, I thought it was harder going from 2 to 3 than 3 to 4. You'll do fine, especially after the shock wears off. Congrats!

Aww, I'm sorry to hear how overwhelming this is. I can just imagine with everything you have going on and this happened right before you went to prevent it. I hope it works out well for you. Please keep us updated. :)

Congrats! Everything will be just fine, just think you now have a band! Lol.

It might not be so bad because your older kids can do a lot to help out, and they can do things for themselves, so its easier then having 4 little ones.

Deep breaths and positive thoughts!

You will be fine! Take a deep breath, relax, take a nap when your daughter does, and if she is not already on a schedule take this time to get her on one so that when the baby comes she will have a good routine. Then when the next baby comes, you work the babies routine around 2 year old so that he doesn't feel pushed aside, and his routine is still the same and he will feel more secure. I had my daughter come sit next to me while I fed the baby and read her a book. She did just fine and had no problem adjusting. I hope that you feel well this pregnancy! oh - and CONGRATULATIONS!!

You'll have Irish Twins, those last 2 will be very close in age and most likely great friends. And just think, when you are old you can do like one of my mom's friends whose kids live all over the world: she stays with each child for about a month and then goes home for a month, then goes to the next one (I think she has 5 or 6 kids). None of them get sick of having her, she gets to see all her kids, it is a fair arrangement for all and she gets to travel and see the world through her kids and grandkids eyes. You have a lot to look forward to, even though the immediate future may be daunting. Remember too that your hormones are pretty wacky right now - you are both post partum and in early pregnancy - your moods probably do not know if you are going up or going down. I would hand the kids over to hubby when he gets home, have a good cry in a nice warm tub and then take a nap until morning. Sounds like you could use a break right now.
Of course, it is not too late to do something about #4 if you really only want 3, but that is between you and your conscience and probably much harder to decide in reality than it is to think about it in the abstract. I wish you strength and happiness.

It's just one of those situations where you can either sink or swim. I have a feeling you are going to swim:) I agree with the "take a deep breathe" advice and just tell yourself that there's no turning back, might as well enjoy the ride! Good luck to your growing family:)

Congratulations!!! Totally understandable that you are overwhelmed, but you will be fine. I come from a family of 4 kids and I can't imagine not having my little sister! I think about not only when they are young but when they are older, even adults and how wonderful to have a big family then.

I have 3 of my own now, and even though logically it would make sense to be done - I work full time and am 39 - I just don't feel like I am! I feel like someone's missing, if that makes sense. Reading the others' answers about have 4 has made me feel even more like I want 1 more...

I think I know how you feel. My 4th was also a surprise (but then...so was the third- lol). I had 3 boys and was wondering how I was going to handle it all. I agree with all the moms that thought it was harder going from 2 to 3.

My 4th turned out to be a girl. I thought she'd be easier- ha! She didn't sit still for more than a minute at a time and was into everything. She makes me laugh every day though, and it's funny watching her follow her bro's everywhere and do everything they do.

It's all good :)
Congratulations!!

I'm sorry you are feeling overwhelmed! How did your husband react when you told him?

I have four kids: 7, 4, 2, and 6 months. For me, it was harder to go from 2 to 3 kids than from 3 to 4. The most challenging times of day is getting errands done with the younger kids, and transporting all four around in the car, and bedtime. Getting them all ready for bed takes a long time.

All our kids were planned Clomid babies, though. Some of best moments of my life were seeing those double pink lines! So I think that once you come to terms with having another, and hopefully your husband will be supportive, you will be ok. Children are truly such a blessing; you know that I'm sure.

Our kids are all so different. We enjoy each one of them. They are indeed, a lot of work, but I think you will be ok! I ask God for help all the time :)

One piece of advice: Get them in line and divvy up roles with you and your husband. I am pretty no nonsense when it comes to getting ready for the day and mealtime. No TV before everyone is ready, no short-order cooking, so throwing things and hitting, etc. My husband does the roughhousing-type play. They know they can't be rough and screaming around the baby and me. That is the only way I can effectively take care of them. I need to have my hearing in tact! Also, I make sure they get their books and quiet activities like drawing. My husband lets them be more wild, so they know the rules with each of us. So I'll take them to the park and pool, while my husband will be the one to stay home and wash the cars adn have waterfights. Etc...

Congratulations and good luck! I wish you and your family many happy times!