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

(147 Posts)
Iam64 Wed 28-Oct-20 17:55:31

The FSM debate has led to many poster saying no one should have children they "can't afford". That contraception is effective and easily available so no excuses.

I have one child who someone arrived despite using what were said to be effective contraception. I had not long returned to work after maternity leave. We could almost pay the mortgage and child care costs, before the arrival of this surprise baby. This unplanned pregnancy was a shock but we were lucky, we managed and all was well. I don't want to cause distress to others if your unplanned pregnancy was more difficult than mine.
I wonder how many of us could say I too am Spartacus (or whatever the female equivalent name is)

DC64 Thu 29-Oct-20 10:45:32

I’ve got 4! Didn’t plan any of them but didn’t plan not to have them either - had the last one at 42! (? but then there’s the added complication of a teenager and menopause in the mix - not always the best when you are both having a strop at the same time ??) twenty years difference between the first and the last - the first has a different dad to the other three. Would not change a thing!

cathelen Thu 29-Oct-20 10:46:54

Both my pregnancies were planed, we just got a bit more than we planned for on our second pregnancies as i had twins.A big surprise at the time but it's one of the best things in my life that has happened to me.

pen50 Thu 29-Oct-20 10:49:11

First one unplanned - thought I was infertile. Lovely to discover I wasn't! No 2 definitely planned and took only three months of trying.

Whatdayisit Thu 29-Oct-20 11:07:24

I was definitely unplanned - the result of my mum being slipped a bit of extra meat by the door to door butcher. Always the cuckoo in the family even though i didn't know we had different fathers till i was 11.

Sarnia Thu 29-Oct-20 11:07:32

My 5th child arrived courtesy of a newly qualified doctor at the Family Planning clinic inserting the coil incorrectly. We managed fine. She is 35 now and has enriched my life beyond measure. It was meant to be and I am so glad it was.

Annaram1 Thu 29-Oct-20 11:12:57

I got pregnant aged twenty, the time when everyone has raging hormones. We were not married. My husband to be had been told he was infertile. We got married shortly after, had a lovely baby girl, and 3 years later an unplanned holiday baby boy. At the age of 42 I got pregnant again but had a miscarriage. I was devastated. My husband and I were together for 54 mainly happy years. I have 4 beautiful grandchildren.

grandMattie Thu 29-Oct-20 11:16:16

I am Spartacus.
After I had DS1 , I went to the family planning clinic and asked about contraceptives. The dr. asked if baby was fully breastfed. Upon affirmative, she told me to come back once baby was on solids. I didn’t go back.. babies were 14 months apart!
In late pregnancy with No.3, I went again and was told it was to late. I replied that I didn’t want to get caught again! ?

Pap67 Thu 29-Oct-20 11:25:34

I had my first planned after 1 month trying ( poor hubby ?) then 2 awfully sad miscarriages.. broke my heart.. then our beautiful ? baby and I was happy. 2nd marriage I gained 2 children but always wanted another. Sadly husband number 2 was adamant and had a vasectomy ? 3years later I caught the “flu” but was “late” was talked into a test by friends and low and behold.. I was pregnant!!! The snip hadn’t worked! ( needless to say we weren’t particularly intimate much!!) my miracle baby has just turned 18.... and I love all my 3 boys to the end of the world. Marriage number 2 ended and I have only my 3 boys in my life now. ???

harrigran Thu 29-Oct-20 11:36:05

There are three siblings in my family but I am the only one who has children.
I was told at the family planning clinic that I was super fertile and the doctor laughed and said I had probably got everyone's share.
I did not appreciate the humour and arranged a sterilisation as I did not want to repeat history and have a baby at 47 as my mother had.

trooper7133 Thu 29-Oct-20 11:36:23

I split up with my partner of ten years as we wanted different things in life. I moved away to start a new life not realising I was pregnant. No savings, knew nobody, living in shared accommodation, new job. Decided to go through with it. Struggled as a single mum but it was the best decision I have ever made. We lived without carpets and everything else second hand for the first two years. Thirty years on I love her beyond words. She has brought so me so much joy and she now has twins of her own. We are extremely close, probably overly attached but hey ho. I think I was a good enough mum, she would say I am the best mum ever. Money helps but not essential to give a child a wonderful life. Defined no regrets here.

trooper7133 Thu 29-Oct-20 11:37:37

Definitely not defined ?

Roddi3363 Thu 29-Oct-20 11:51:38

Our second was a surprise but much wanted. I had full contraceptive measures in place and was breast feeding but I discovered I was 5 months pregnant. as the older sibling had been ill the surprise was much needed, despite being only 12months younger. We chose to have a third child several years later.

Lyndawads Thu 29-Oct-20 12:24:49

Im Spartacas too!!

Sheilasue Thu 29-Oct-20 12:25:29

It wasn’t exactly unplanned but I fell quicker then I thought I would there is only 22 months between my two, so was a bit of a shock at the time and hard work, but we got through it.
Our son died in 2007 so I just have dd now. Don’t regret having them so close together my dd was very close to her brother ❤️

Patsy429 Thu 29-Oct-20 12:31:22

My husband tells our third daughter that she was the best mistake he ever made- which I don't really think is the best thing to say!

Kim19 Thu 29-Oct-20 12:51:17

Remember who planned the holidays? Well same applied to family. Wonderful all round.

mumagain Thu 29-Oct-20 12:51:25

I had 2 while on the pill - 12 year gap ?

lizzypopbottle Thu 29-Oct-20 12:52:18

My first child was conceived, after various investigations, with the aid of Clomid (stimulates ovulation) so when we decided it was time for another, I went straight to my GP and he prescribed again immediately. That wouldn't happen these days, mind you! Anyway, the prescription lay on the mantlepiece waiting for the right time in my cycle. That day never arrived because number two was already in situ! So, although a baby was planned, it wasn't this baby. She was still a lovely surprise. ☺

ninathenana Thu 29-Oct-20 12:56:42

Yes, already had our daughter. Had a coil fitted but still managed to get pregnant with our son ? they never did find the coil

LadyJus Thu 29-Oct-20 12:58:33

I had twins - which one do I tell he wasn't planned?!!

Musicgirl Thu 29-Oct-20 13:02:35

I didn't have any unplanned babies but my dad, the youngest of four, definitely was. My grandmother was told she shouldn't have any more children after a difficult time with her third and 1940 was probably not the best time to arrive but Dad obviously had other ideas. I'm very glad because obviously l would not be here otherwise.

yellowcanary Thu 29-Oct-20 13:51:29

I am one of three, almost two years between me and my brother - then nearly 14 years from me to my sister smile 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.

Barmeyoldbat Thu 29-Oct-20 13:52:43

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.

Lesley60 Thu 29-Oct-20 13:55:51

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.

Lesley60 Thu 29-Oct-20 13:57:25

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