Differences in your pregnancies as you get older?

[Artechim]

My third pregnancy was physically the hardest with sore pelvis and I felt so slow and awkward but I wonder how much of that was because she was a kilo heavier than the first two. Also by that stage it was my third pregnancy in 5 years, always either pregnant or BF, waking every couple of hours at night for the previous 4 years and dealing with many tantrums. I was exhausted and that probably made it harder work. I think though that after a gap and all the other baby stuff has passed, another pregnancy wouldn't be as hard. With kids off at kindy and school there would be actual time in the day to sit down and rest that there just isn't when you have a house full of preschoolers.

Don't they say you regret the child you didn't have but never the one you did?

[Cassius2]

totally loving these replies...so much food for thought...

Meow: I am totally jealous hahaha! My last pg was so draining and tough: but i do wonder if that was circumstance...not great access to good wholesome food and whatnot and the stress of moving and living OS for awhile.

Tegam and Arte: that's been my biggest point of pondering...is it just simply that i have been going down this pg/baby road for a consistent without pause for so long that made the last pg so much harder (and had me vowing at the time to NEVER EVER want to go through it again...it was the hypermesis for sure that knocked me out).

Jessica: I too had bad muscle separation. i had it with all three but wonder if it has just been compounding and all of a sudden with my last baby it decided to really play up? Tubi grips...get some!

HotI: ahh and now another thing to consider! DD3 was an oops pg, unlike the other two i didnt have any body preparation or nourishment that was particular and i did feel that contributed in some way (I was still BF and a bit worn down).

The thing is, i get the comments from well meaning people that i can only have as many children as i want and cope because i am young and that if i were their age (they stopped at two) I wouldnt have the energy. Now, i find it a strange statement as i am tired and rundown, but maybe I am just not as tired or run down lol?!

[wysiwyg]

The thing is, i get the comments from well meaning people that i can only have as many children as i want and cope because i am young and that if i were their age (they stopped at two) I wouldnt have the energy. Now, i find it a strange statement as i am tired and rundown, but maybe I am just not as tired or run down lol?!

I think people often say age, and tired rundown etc is reason for stopping as is like it is the 'acceptable' answer or one that is less likely to be questioned. I had mine at 32 and 34 no real difference between pregnancies and neither were hard. Age made no difference at all in not wanting anymore, or the thought of tiredness etc, I just don't want anymore and knew that before number two was born. But sometimes people don't seem to believe that answer, and the 'too old' answer is more easily accepted. I used to think that money (housing) comes into the decision, and if had endless money then would want more children but now I think that for me I still wouldn't want more. Sometimes the only thing that people take as a real indication you don't want anymore is if they know DH has had the snip.

So you probably are as tired and rundown, but if there is that inkling of desire for another will make it seem less.

[Arimeh]

I had 4 in 4 years, then a break for 2.5 years.

All my pregnancies were pretty much the same, the spd got worse each time, however I got better at managing it so it never felt worse - itms?
oh and I'm not a particularly young mum - I had my first at 29!

I say have another! Hehe

[Cassius2]

...well it seems that having kids as you get older has its benefits!!!

Check THIS out!

[Tegam]

But today I'm too tired to appreciate the fact I may live until 95!

[BellyBelly]

When I trained as a doula, my teacher Rhea always said that the third birth/baby was the doozy The baby of mystery - and where the children outnumber the parents! I found my third pregnancy to be the toughest physically and now as a mamma, I am finding I am so much more tired!

[Mumma T]

But today I'm too tired to appreciate the fact I may live until 95!

Today I feel like I am 95. I am not sure if it's because I am older or just that it's baby #2 but this one hurts me so much more than last time. My pelvis is a mess and the thought of having to sleep on my side is a nightmare, I think I will be spending the next 6 weeks sleeping in the recliner just so I can get up to pee a million times a night.

[HomeStyleMumma]

Sounds like you're onto a plan artechim ;-)

Afm my girl pg have been more 'difficult' but not remarkably so... Or is that just the rose coloured glasses of hindsight LOL.
For me I doubt age has (had much chance) to play a part as I had my 1st at 20 and my 5th a couple months off 27. I am finding all the other answers really interesting. I'll have to ask mil her opinion as she had her 1st at 19 and last at 44.

[meow]

I really agree with a few comments about recovery between pregnancies. I think that will be a bigger factor in how you cope in subsequent pregnancies, more than your age does. If you allow some time and focus on replenishing your body and preparing it for another pregnancy then I think you can get through another. If you have babies close together then by the 3rd, 4th etc you are surely going to be fairly depleted and find it harder.

Tegam- my MW made that comment to me yesterday that she finds 2nd, 3rd, 4th etc time around mothers seem to recover better as they know what to do more by then. They rest when they need to and line all the supports up they need and generally have faster recoveries.

Just quietly- I haven't noticed gender have any significant effect on pregnancies.

Go for it Cassius! I totally believe you can have a healthy & well, nutrient rich pregnancy this time around