Advice please

[krsweetpea]

I turned 27 yesterday. I seriously wonder if this should be our last baby.

BUT, I always wanted a bigger family, as did dh. We joked about having 12 after watching cheaper by the dozen when we were engaged...we really kinda thought 4 in reality.

I knew hg was a possibility for me as my mom had it in all her pregnancies. I was very sick with our first but never diagnosed... This pregnancy is worse and I received an official diagnoses.

So what to do... I'm young and it so hard to hear fluffies my age talk about having more babies, often wanting to get pregnant before or right around the current infants first bday. I waited till right before ds second bday to even try knowing I couldn't take care of a baby and be this sick...I just don't think I can do this again especially if it were worse:/

Also I don't do well on hormonal bc and will not do a copper iud due to moral convictions... Any ideas?

[Cin]

First -- right now, in the middle of an HG pg, is not the time to think about other pgcies. Just get through this one.

Second, have you considered the Billings Ovulation Method? Natural, safe, effective and free. www.woomb.org I have been using it for more than 10 years. Three of my kids are precision-planned and one is a "what the heck, let's see what happens." It works.

Finally, ignore the dang fluffies and their fluffiness. Although feel free to smack anyone who says "I love being pregnant!"

[krsweetpea]

Thanks for the info. I am very interested in natural methods. When not hg, we do most things as naturally as possible and natural bc feels like a good fit. Encouraging to hear an hger has used it effectively because I am most afraid of an unplanned pregnancy( we planned this one and it is hard enough). I bookmarked it so I can find it later:) and for the reminder not to think about pregnancies while getting through this one.

I'm laughing at your last comment! I went with the "what you are saying does not compute" stare when a young mama of an under one year old baby told me how much she missed being pregnant! Especially since it was during a conversation about getting iv fluids this pregnancy O-o .

[AnneCan]

It's a really hard decision to make at the best of times. I agree...during an HG pregnancy isn't always the time to decide. I also personally know that I can't make that decision within 1 year of having a baby because every hormonal ounce of my being tells me that I could do it again (this IS our last though... I'm certain of that).

You could try the timing method, and make a decision after a few months/years. Just make sure you do your homework on how to track your fertility so that it's more "accurate". I used the timing method and condoms, but still always felt worried that I'd get pregnant. If you're open to another pregnancy "if it happens", then the timing method might be a good choice for you. If you're certain you do not ever want to be pregnant, I'd check out more long term, reliable methods.

[krsweetpea]

Hi annecan,

I definitely will be doing homework if I use FAM, as well as using condoms while I'm nursing. I absolutely know I will not want another pregnancy for a few years. What I waffle on is making a permanent decision at 27. However, a tubal, essure, and a vasectomy are all on the table.... I wish I could just KNOW we are done...

Thanks for replying!