I understand your fears, you are not alone in feeling them. I am going from 3 kids to 5 when i give birth to twins in a few weeks. Sometimes i feel overwhemled but know that when they do come, i'll love them no matter what. i had two kids for 10 years before having number 3 and now i wish they were closer in age. Each baby gets easier as you have more experience. You we cope well, just believe in yourself. Don't worry what others think, its up to you and your hubby. I have found minti  be a wonderful place to meet people, please mail me if you would like to chat any time. I hope i have been a bit of help

Cath 

Hey we all have thoughts like that "How am I going to cope?" but let me tell you, you just will! Accept help from anyone who offers even if its just "let me wash the dishes" and I am sure that your eldest will help out. My friend has a 3 year old who LOVES to feed the baby his bottle and get the nappy for mum and even pick out some clean clothes. Get the kids in the habit of cleaning now, like picking up their toys and putting the dishes in the sink or even putting them away if they are down low enough your 2 1/2 year old is old enough.

As for the depression side I have never had it so I am not sure but I would maybe go to the doc there is some medication that is safe during pregnancy and BF (if this is what you plan to do)

Things might seem bleek and scary but they will get easier :)

the minti community is always here for support.

i've found it a great help and comfort.

if you're ever down we're here to pick you up.

there is a saying that in life you'll never be faced with something that you can't cope with.

so try to be positive, you're older children will help you, you'll be suprised how much!

keep healthy and look forward, we're here for you.

LOL lisa xxxx.

Hey there hun, Congrats I know right now you may be stressing big time. I too suffer depression and did also have post natal depression really bad with my 9th child. I have ten yes you are reading  right 10! After i had my second daughter that is when things went crazy but i got through it with support from my famnily. Do not let anyone tell you that you  are being selfish or that you will not cope with a third child. Trust me you will. It does actually get easier with each child you have. I know this may seem hard to bel;ieve but i get people asking ,e all the time how do i cope? I give them all the same answer and  that is : Believe it or not it is easier with each one, not harder. I keep all my kids in the same routine they are used to before and after baby was born. I never had a problem To be honest with you when i fouund out i was oreg with 9th child i was in total denial and never really bonded with him until he was about 6mnths old. It was hard as my depression took a big turn for the wqorst but my children and friends were my saviuoers throiough it all. Dont worry what poeople will think or say as this will only bring you down more and more every time yoou think about it. It is not them who is having the baby it is you and this baby is a part of you and your family no matter what people think or say to you. If you need to talk or just vent out minti mail me at anytime i am here for you as i too had the same thoughts as you are having. I used to think is this the rioght thing to do? Am i being selfish? How wil i cope? But i stil have my down days as most of my minti friends know. Minti is my family they support everyone asnd are here to help you through it all. Please remember we are all here to help and support you when/if you need it/

I hope that you are going ok and that this advice helps you even a bit. Please mail me anytime and i will get back to you if you have any questions you want to ask me. I am no expert but i can be here for you as there are others that are here for me and all members who need us!

Hugs Michelle xxx ooo

p.s It really is not hard having three children so close in age. Two of mine are 3 days of 12mnths apart and two others are 11 1/2months apart lol, lol. TRhe rest are all about 2yrs or just under apart. My eldest now has a child of her own so i am a granny now lol lol

I can relate to that.  We have 4 kids, the oldest is 5 and the youngest is 10 months old, the others are inbetween.  For several years, I battled depression on my own, as hubby had to work, but thankfully, he is studying (distance education) and is home all the time, so has been a big help.

I am about 21 weeks with my 5th child and I have a confession!  I didn't start gettting excited about having another baby until about a month ago.  I just felt like I had 'failed', but now I understand that it is about taking the challenge at hand and finding my way through, asking for help when I need it, I am happier about it.

Having 3 that close in age can work in your favour.  Ours all play really well together, so there is not so much need for me spending hours doing structured play.  Obviously, having 2 already, you will have a lot of baby clothes around still (if you are like me and keep them for that rainy day) so financially, you have the head start.

Please, minti mail someone, me, DA, or my partner (the resident brain detector in my house!) Radical B.  Make sure you talk to your dr and midwives about what you are going through as it is very important that they know everything they can in order to help you.

wow, that is awesome, a mother of 3, may seem daunting right now but you have managed with two and from what I understand 3 doesn't seem to add much to the work load.  Your 2 1/2 year old wont be a baby when this one comes along, they will be nearly 3 1/2 and able to do alot of thing independently, you will also find that they will probably want to help out a lot as well.

If you aren't there yet and can afford it, daycare for a day or so a week for the older kids will be great both for them and yourself to have some one on one time with the baby.

It isn't the same but between my partner and I we have 4 kids which we have all at the same time often.  They are all under the age of 6.  It is hectic but they all seem to entertain each other fairly well, we just have to be organised and allow enough time for things like meal times, bedtime routine.

You will be great, I know it. 

Congratulations on the baby! You can talk to your good ol' fellow Minti members for support. The purpose of Minti is to share advice and to give each other support. None of us will bite you or say nasty things.  If they do, let me know and I'll give 'em a good whack for you.

I can relate big time, although my situation is a little different the core emotions are the same sort of thing. I'm literally days away from giving birth and I still have moments where I wish it would all just go away.

I can't recommend any websites, but I'm happy to talk to you about it if you want to minti mail me privately.

hello

congrats and i am stressing to how i will cope with three but i think i will be better with the support of my minti friends . i am sure you may have some very close friends on here that willl be there for you . i am sure you will cope . it took me awhile to really sink in i was preganet and be happy . well i am here if you want to chat

love belxxx

Congratulations! and you will be fine with 3. I had two only 13 months apart then I had my 3rd nine years later. I would have much preferred to have the 3rd one MUCH closer to the others. It was really hard work cause I wasn't used to babies anymore. Which is why you will be fine, as you are still in that 'baby mode' mindset.

And besides your oldest will be 3 by the time bub comes, and this is a good age to have, as they are getting a little more independent, they can help you with nappies etc, and I think it is a nice age break for the kids.

As for support, I can only recommend Minti, as I don't know of any others. As for what others say, try not to let it get to you. Remember sticks and stones. They are more than likely jealous that you will have another beautiful bub.

firstly congrats,it will be hard im sure. but what does come easy?  and try not to worry what other people think. there is always someone with something horrible to say. if you go to your doc in australia they can refer you to a professional therapy person. or look in the front of your telephone book. talk to the people around you and if they say horrible things tell them and hopefully they will shut there trap!!!! and most likely feel bad, nosey buggers.hey you shouldnt be ashamed, christ things happen, we just have to figure out how to cope. i am not sure which country you are in but please if you can dont go anonymous as there will people in this site who most likely feel the same way, geeze i have one and i almost went freakin crazy, and those who say "oh its not that hard "are lying ( and probaly cry in the shower on a regular basis.lol) it helps. send me a msg if you want to blow off steam, i wont judge and to be honest we are all human, not perfect . if all else fails scream as loud as you can, then a few deep breaths, thats what i do. lol. nieghbours might think your nuts. lol

xxxxxxxxxx nicky