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Does anyone over 50 here still suffer from being broody?

(91 Posts)
overwhichhill Wed 24-Apr-19 19:49:54

I can't get my head around the fact that I still want another baby.... I am over 50 and in peri-menopause for about 10 years now, but I just wish this longing for another baby would go away. I am not sure whether stopping my periods altogether will help, I am on HRT and they are irratic even with this. So asking the wisdom of Gransnet to help me how do I get my head right!

Missfoodlove Thu 25-Apr-19 09:11:05

I am 55 and 4 years in to the menopause. I still dream that either my children are babies or that I am pregnant.
I felt no loss as I reached the menopause but our first and so far only grandchild was born as I was 51.
I really believe her birth made me realise how I had gone full circle, seeing our daughter parent is a joy.
We get to look after our granddaughter frequently and she has stayed with us for a week or more while her parents are away. It is fabulous to have her but exhausting, it’s a younger persons game!

GrandmaMoira Thu 25-Apr-19 09:24:15

I often dream that I am pregnant or have a new baby. I don't think this will ever stop now.
When I was young I always wanted children and I think some women just have this broodiness. It didn't mean I really wanted a large family. I did think more of the practicalities.

4allweknow Thu 25-Apr-19 09:31:15

No Way other than when looking at puppies.

Humbertbear Thu 25-Apr-19 09:32:28

I am not broody for a baby of my own but I do wish I could be provided with more grandchildren. My three are all at school and growing up and I miss the afternoons spent cooking, painting and cuddling up with a book. I know there won’t be any more.

Jan16 Thu 25-Apr-19 09:33:00

Good God no!!!

Barmeyoldbat Thu 25-Apr-19 09:41:05

Just think of that lovely baby as a stroppy 15 year old, might help.

TerryM Thu 25-Apr-19 09:47:39

Nope
Have to say it has been a long time since I was broody.

paddyann Thu 25-Apr-19 10:04:53

I always wanted a big family but it took 14 years and countless losses before I managed my two.I would have kept trying if I hadn't been told it would kill me to have another pregnancy.I have never had a house without at least one child living here even part time.My son was just 14 when my first GS was born and I had him 5 afternoons a week I still have one GD at least 2 daysand nights a week and I wouldn't be without her

rizlett Thu 25-Apr-19 10:04:55

Maybe it's the HRT causing the broodiness?

Deni1963 Thu 25-Apr-19 10:08:26

I lost 4 babies after my 2nd live child and had no more. Sometimes I feel a deep longing for the missing 3rd child. A void. If I could I would - but 55 now and can't - but my 2 year old grand daughter filled my heart with so much love it has helped - xx

Tokyojo3 Thu 25-Apr-19 10:08:51

I’m 64 and the desire to have another baby has never left me! I have two grown daughters and a flame haired little beauty of a granddaughter... I can’t keep away from peeking at babies in prams and the supermarket though I always ask first if I may have a look!

cookiemonster66 Thu 25-Apr-19 10:09:17

YES - I am in my fifties and absolutely love babies. For a while I even was a childminder who would only look after babies aged under 6 mths, so I could get my 'fix'. I have always been the same. I had full hysterectomy at age 25 yrs lucky really otherwise I would have about 20 kids by now as I love the baby stage. My daughter has given me a beautiful GD now 3 yrs and is expecting a son any day now, so once again I can get my baby fix but know she will not have anymore and I am already dreading being without a baby cuddle after that. My maternal instincts are so very strong, overpowering, I cannot bear to hear a baby cry in public, I just want to cuddle it. Blinkin' hormones eh!!!

BrandyButter Thu 25-Apr-19 10:10:29

No, No, No and No grin grin grin

luluaugust Thu 25-Apr-19 10:17:22

I guess this is mother nature having a last gasp go at you overwhichhill I a sure you will find more babies to cuddle and love as I did because are you really sure you would want to go through the reality again?

Matriarch Thu 25-Apr-19 10:24:22

After having three children , I had a hysterectomy in my 30 s . I had always wanted another child but decided that as I was a teacher , my career would take its place . When I was made redundant at 56 , I was also plunged into the menopause . All the feelings of loss that I hadn’t faced more than 20 years previously suddenly hit me . Hormones can be incredibly powerful but grief also needs time .

glammanana Thu 25-Apr-19 10:26:34

I was 41 when I had a hysterectomy and think that after having the choice taken away from me made me more broody for another baby,it soon passed when my DD had her first baby boy and I got my fix of having a baby in the family,it was a case of wanting something which I could not have really.

GrannyIris5 Thu 25-Apr-19 10:35:47

I had 4 children, as an only child I longed for a sibling. Have 2 dogs same age as 2 of our 7 gc, dogs always substitute babies in my life.

Sussexborn Thu 25-Apr-19 10:41:10

From a very early age I used to tell anyone who would listen that I was going to have six black babies and six white babies! When DD1 was only six weeks old I saw a newborn on tv and felt really broody - crazy.

I had two text book pregnancies and births then what was called a missed miscarriage at 21-22 weeks. A grim experience made worse by incompetent staff. My instinct was to have a few months break but was strongly advised to get pregnant straight away. Did so but it was a difficult pregnancy with dates never matching up and amniotic fluid leaking. GP at the time was useless and told me I was sweating and not to “worry my pretty little head over it”! Imagine the outcry now!

Ended up on bed rest in maternity unit and DD2 was born prematurely and small for dates. She had a very worrying first year but is fine now. That experience put paid to any broodiness which was probably for the best.

Saddest thing was a broody man whose wife didn’t want a second child as it messed with her waist line.

Allykat1946 Thu 25-Apr-19 10:49:03

Maybe doing voluntary work in a hospital with very young babies/children especially those that don't have their parents able to visit much.. just a thought...

JanaNana Thu 25-Apr-19 11:07:36

No. I married very young, had three children quickly, then at 42 became a grandmother for the first time. Other grandchildren soon followed and a saw them often, so for me the broodiness stage had gone away by then. I love seeing other people's babies and am very fond of children, but wouldn't have wanted more than I had. I realise that some women do feel broody as you still do, but imagine what it would be like by the time they reached the teenage years, when you are in your 60s.....sorry but no.

Telly Thu 25-Apr-19 11:17:54

No, been there, done that. There's a time for everything, I guess.

blondenana Thu 25-Apr-19 11:18:12

No, definitely not, never felt broody, even before i had children, no contraceptive pill when i was first married, had 3 in first marriage, then 2 in second, only because 2nd husband wanted them, ironic really as when we split he never bothered with them, neither did first come to that

Stella14 Thu 25-Apr-19 11:20:35

For human babies? God no!
For puppies and kittens? Of course!

Legs55 Thu 25-Apr-19 11:30:17

No, I'm not the type that goes all gooey over babies, love them when they are toddlers & watching them develop, I love my 2 DGS aged 9 & almost 2. I'm glad I had DD but circumstances dictated no more.

I have a cat now & I love him to bitsgrin

overwhichhill Thu 25-Apr-19 11:30:34

Thank you for all your responses. It is good to know that there is no "right" feeling. Some of you have no broodiness, some it goes away with time and grandchildren, and some never loose it. I can only hope for myself that once this horrible wait for menopause is over, that the broody feelings will go away and leave me alone!

For those who suggested fostering - I do that but they haven't given me a little one in ages, last teenager almost finished me off!!!! Reality of teenage years is sadly not stopping be feeling broody. Oh well, at least I know that there are some people who understand, thank you. smile