Hands up, how many of us have an unplanned pregnancy?

I had no idea that contraceptives can fail so miserably. That should not happen. It is nice when the child is wanted regardless and will be able to be cared for properly, but so many are not. That then causes child neglect, and the prospect for those kids is not rosy. Worse is that due to neglect, they grow up to be parents who do not know how to properly parent themselves. A vicious cycle, hence so much misery in many people's lives.

When my second child (planned, and only because I was trying for a daughter) was ten months old, my period didn’t come. I was on a mini pill, and the periods came like clockwork every fourth Sunday. My baby was the girl I’d dreamt of, and I absolutely did not want a third child. Longest night of my life. Woke with my period arriving. To this day, I don’t know what choice I would have made

We were told we wouldn't be able to have children in the 1970s. Through having chronic endometriosis, one fallopian tube and one ovary it was unlikely that I'd conceive. I miraculously had 4 pregnancies (sadly losing the first) and went on to have 3 babies over 6 years, absolute little miracles!

Me too!

Both of our wonderful children were unplanned

Our third was an accident, conceived at Christmas!! After the initial shock, it all turned out good! A girl, after 2 boys. No more though, vasectomy for hubby not long after.

We have 2 both were wanted, but didn't plan on having them less than 13 months apart. Because I was breastfeeding the 1st G P said I couldn't have the pill, so fell again within short space of time. We were living in a rented flat with no family nearby, it was very tough, but 47 years on no regrets.

We always wanted 2 children and after an anxious four years of marriage our ds was born. I was breast feeding and so, unplanned, I was pregnant again! Our dd was born with only 15 months between them. Although they were quite easy babies, it was hard work for the first year but it all turned out tickety boo as they got on so well together. I have always felt truly blessed.

My girl was unplanned when I was 17, she's the best thing that ever happened to me. No more babies after her because I could only afford one .

Yup, me..I was 22 years old & so naive..But only the one son I had...Shock to the system..But he's a great son, very proud of him [ smile]

I’m Spartacus
I’m Spartacus
I’m Spartacus
I’m Spartacus
All four happy accidents, wouldn’t change a thing.

My first was 'Shall we? Shan't we?' Oh - we have!

No accidents just bonuses

No, always wanted four, then was sterilised.

Best accident I ever had...been married for 12 years and had decided not to bother about children. Then found out I was pregnant and was terribly shocked (!). He was of course the most perfect baby and is now a gorgeous doctor with his own new baby. As soon as he arrived I knew I didn’t want him to grow up alone as I had been a rather lonely only child. My beautiful daughter was born three years later, very much planned and wanted.

jocork, I hope this thread hasn't been upsetting. I realise how fortunate I've been, three children, two carefully planned, the third a big surprise and a bit scary. 34 years old now, total joy so yes, blessed in that.
I have three much loved family members who longed for children, would have been great parents but fate / biology wasn't working for them\

First was unplanned but not unwanted. Tried for second and suspect had two very early miscarriages which were never confirmed, then number two. I wanted a third but three more miscarriages later decided it wasn't meant to be as I'd hit 40 and thought myself too old!
People can be cruel when they speak of planned parenthood as being simple. It certainly wasn't for us. Also circumstances change. How many couples have children they can afford very adequately but then a redundancy comes along, or a marriage breaks down, leaving a single mother struggling. For all my ex's faults he did provide for me and my children despite trading me in for a younger model, but not all men do!

I am Spartacus! We were newly married and struggling to furnish our home and pay the mortgage, when I found out I was pregnant. My BiL said "Congratulations and hard luck" when he heard the news.

Second baby was deliberately conceived but not very carefully planned. I had had surgery in the intervening years and the doctor said it might be a good idea to be satisfied with one child. I got very broody, told my DH that I wanted another baby, and luckily got pregnant straight away. Also lucky that I was fine throughout, up to the final month. The delivery, by C-section, was a bit fraught due to previous surgery.

Accidental or not, they're the best thing that ever happened to me.

I've had seven in total - 5 on the pill!

When I was in hosp for a hysterectomy, my Obi/Gyn informed me that research in the USA had discovered that the pills I take for my epilepsy cancelled out the birth control tablet...

Then he ran like hell down the corridor.....

Blimey, I can't believe how many people's contraception failed! After suffering from postnatal depression after having my second child I was paranoid about not getting pregnant again; if I had read this thread then, I would have become celibate!

Never wanted children - why another story. Told my DH if he did better find someone else to marry. Four years later and about to go abroad with my job found fate had other plans. Fifty-two years on and two lovely grandsons so very glad fate intervened.

Forgot to mention with no help or support from either sets of our parents

I had a gorgeous little accident at 16 I had to leave school got married Bought our own house, my husband never had a day off work
We tried for our next baby who was born when I was 18, when they were young I did loads of menial jobs around their school hours, and when they were old enough I completed my education and went on to have a successful career.
My daughters tell me what a happy loving childhood they had.

Believe it or not I have 3 unplanned, first one I was on the pill. the second, my daughter 3 years later still on the pill. I had an unexpected one at 52 with a coil fitted and going through the menopause. I thought I had a tummy bug as I was still having some periods. I didn't carry on with the pregnancy as I was a single mum by then and had a disabled daughter already to look after and my health was not so good. I have no regrets.

I am one of three, almost two years between me and my brother - then nearly 14 years from me to my sister We always said the wrong couple went on honeymoon, we had been to my cousin's wedding in the April and nine months later my sister arrived. The only thing was my mum had lost a lot of weight, then went back into her "heavy" clothes as the pregnancy went on so people didn't notice that she was pregnant - I'm sure a lot of people in the village where we lived at the time thought my sister was mine.