In need of prayer, support, and encouragement!

[Cathmomof6]

I am pretty certain that my husband and I are expecting our seventh baby!!! I am 36 and he is 38. We were using Marquette to avoid , but I have not had a cycle since my last baby was born in may 2012. I just weaned him this past June. I knew I ovulated and we waited to have relations until it was 4th day post peak so we thought we were safe. Anyways, from the outside I am sure this looks like a very bad idea. I have significant arthritis in my hips, which everyone can see from my limp. This started during my last pregnancy so I am scared what this is going to do to my body. I also developed a small umbilical hernia last pregnancy which has not been repaired. My platelets also drop under 100000 during my pregnancies for whatever reason. Financially, we should be ok if all stays the same as my husband has a good job and I am able to stay home with kiddos. But we live in an 1800 square foot split level home with only 3 bedrooms. We already have 5 kids in one room so baby can have his own room until he is sleeping better I told my husband today and I will just say he was less than thrilled. I know this tremendous pressure on him to be the sole breadwinner. He is a CPA and works an hour away from home. This baby will likely be born end of march/early April - the absolute WORST time of year for a public accountant!!!

My mom and dad have helped me a lot with my kids, but I am nervous to tell them as they know of all my health issues and will not be supportive of this pregnancy! But what can I do:shrug: we seem to be getting more fertile as we get older instead of less. My last 3 pregnancies were conceived postpartum right around the 1 year mark of the previous baby! I love all my kids and feel this is right even though it will be hard and we will receive a lot of ridicule. I know a vasectomy is wrong, but I have to say, it is looking very tempting, and we are ready to be done with this. At this rate we could still have 3 or 4 more if we don’t figure out this postpartum stuff. We have been very open to babies, but we are getting old for this
Please be kind. I really just need some support and encouragement because I know I won’t get it anywhere else. Thank you.

Interesting side note - I was born in 1977 at 7:07 and was 7 lbs 7oz so I have always thought 7 was my lucky number. Go figure just not as easy as I would hope!!

 

[MJJean]

Have you had a positively positive pregnancy test yet? On your other thread you said one was negative and one was a very faint positive. I’d go to the doctor and get confirmation of the pregnancy before telling anyone else. No sense in worrying your friends and family if it’s a false alarm.

 

[Joe_5859]

I guess you’ll need a new user name.

MJJean is right, of course, about getting confirmation before getting too ahead of yourself. But if it does turn out that lucky # 7 is on the way, I offer my congratulations! I’m still only at 2 so far, so I can only imagine what you’re going through, but I know plenty of large families and God has a way of providing. I knew a girl who was one of 11 kids and they also only had a three bedroom house. You do have to get creative with bed placement, but there’s always room for one more.

 

[Cathmomof6]

I am pretty sure as with each test the line gets a little darker. Conception would have been July 2 so the negatives were because it was too early. I also feel that pregnancy bump almost immediately now because I can’t suck it in at all - like being bloated all the time I’m sure I won’t be able to hide it long at all, especially from family. And I don’t plan on confirming with my midwife till end of August. I hate going there too. They make me feel judged and irresponsible. They don’t ever want to see me until 8-12 weeks anyways which would be end of August.

 

[Musician]

Bless your heart! You have a lot on your plate at the moment but things WILL settle down. Your kids are fine sleeping like they are. Don’t worry overly much and let anxiety take the place of joy! A new life is entering your family!
Try to get lots of rest and sit whenever possible (I had sciatica with our third). You may think about getting a teen girl from church to come in and help occasionally. I have always made this a practice, even now with my grandchildren, and it’s a lifesaver.
God bless you, dear, and keep us posted.

 

[CradleJourney]

Please be kind. I really just need some support and encouragement because I know I won’t get it anywhere else. Thank you.

Interesting side note - I was born in 1977 at 7:07 and was 7 lbs 7oz so I have always thought 7 was my lucky number. Go figure just not as easy as I would hope!!

Congratuations (assuming you are pregnant)! It’s a wonderful thing that God is using you to bring a special new person into the world! Who could not be happy about that?

Granted there are and will be challenges along the way - maybe some very difficult ones. But look how God has gotten you through challenges in the past - I bet there were so big ones. He has great plans for you and your children - you and your family are going to be fine in the end. I think you’re spectacular for being open to new life. Although since my baby is 8 now, I admit I’m jealous that you’re able to add another (looks like were stuck at 6). ((HUGS))

 

[QuiteCatholic]

I have six children also (5 boys and 1 little girl) . We live in a three bedroom home, about the same square footage as yours. I’m 43 and always have a scare when I’m late . I also dread going to the doctor because they do make you feel irresponsible. My were all c-sections. But I figure if it’s God’s will then I trust in him. Try not to worry, you’ll make out fine. You’re in my prayers.

 

[Cathmomof6]

Thank you so much for the encouragement. I just don’t get that anywhere else but here. I think we will ultimately be very happy about this but there are so few people in our corner of the world who understand. We live in a small predominately Catholic community but there are still very few large families. When it gets chaotic around here, I feel like we made a big mistake and maybe all the other families were right. I can’t handle what I have to begin with I just need to know that we are doing the right thing even though I am not a perfect mom and my kids are far from perfect.

 

[McMcMe]

Praying for you! Congratulations too! I got disapproving looks from some family members when I was pregnant with my second child one year after the first! Surround yourself with supportive friends and cling to your husband during this time. This is a GOOD thing! Sure it will add challenge to your lives but 1800 sq feet will do. BTW, I put my babies together almost from the start and it worked fine. The toddler learned to sleep through the wake ups. Don’t knock it til you try it!

 

[QuiteCatholic]

Thank you so much for the encouragement. I just don’t get that anywhere else but here. I think we will ultimately be very happy about this but there are so few people in our corner of the world who understand. We live in a small predominately Catholic community but there are still very few large families. When it gets chaotic around here, I feel like we made a big mistake and maybe all the other families were right. I can’t handle what I have to begin with I just need to know that we are doing the right thing even though I am not a perfect mom and my kids are far from perfect.

I know how you feel believe me! There’s not many big families around me either especially in my neighborhood. And I always got the feeling that some family members had there own thoughts and neighbors to. I look at my youngest, 4, and I can’t imagine not having her. Believe me you got it right.

I’m the youngest of 10 and my mom always says what a blessing it is to have a large family. When my dad passed away she was so happy that we were all there for her. Other women she would talk to would say they regretted not having more.

When school lets out I always tell people I’ll be in a straight jacket my the end of June. Believe when I say you’re a wonderful example to all those around you. Remember what Padre Pio said “Pray, Hope, and don’t Worry”. God Bless You!

 

[MJJean]

Thank you so much for the encouragement. I just don’t get that anywhere else but here. I think we will ultimately be very happy about this but there are so few people in our corner of the world who understand. We live in a small predominately Catholic community but there are still very few large families. When it gets chaotic around here, I feel like we made a big mistake and maybe all the other families were right. I can’t handle what I have to begin with I just need to know that we are doing the right thing even though I am not a perfect mom and my kids are far from perfect.

My friend, who was never going to have children and was mighty upset when she found out she was pregnant with her first, has just had her 9th. She is very happy with her large family. My neighbor has 6. My sister also has 6 (all girls).

It’s your life, your family. You didn’t make a mistake. You made a human.

Who cares what other people think? It’s not their business.

And no one is a perfect parent. No kid is perfect, either.

My grandmother raised 6 in a 1000 sq ft 3 bedroom house. Girls in one room, boys in the attic, Grandma and Grandpa in their room. They all came out ok. My sister and neighbor, each with 6, live in smaller houses, too. It’s a matter of stacking beds, organizing creatively, and getting rid of what’s not needed. No biggie.