Any Moms with More Then 5 Kids?

I am 30 years old and due with baby #7 in just over 5 weeks. While none of my pregnancies have been terribly difficult, #5 was actually my easiest. I carried him the longest (14 days overdue) and he was my largest (over 9 pounds.) I cannot give you an explanation other than "every pregnancy is different." In other pregnancies, including this one, I experienced aches and pains in my groin and such, making it difficult to walk sometimes, but my easiest was actually my fifth. (Not saying that 5 is a magic number- it just happened to be for me.)

Hi C.,

I just had my 4th, 6 months ago, definitely noticed a difference in how I carried my last one, and I too have had my kids close together. I'm about to turn 30 and know we aren't done so when I put this question to my doc here is what he told me... "They are muscles like any other so if I need them stronger I just need to do the right exercises to strengthen them up. A woman's body is made for this and though some women have it harder than others, on a whole it all works out in the end."

So I don't know if he was just trying to make me feel better or not but I believed him so I'm working on strengthening my core muscles and pelvic floor. I feel better about myself and have more confidence that I'll at least be able to walk next time around :)

If you ever feel like talking more or just to chat with another mom like you feel free to PM me!

Blessings to you and yours,
K.
SAHM of 4
5 1/2, 3 1/2, 2 and 6 months

I'm only on my third right now, but plan on having 4, or maybe 5. I actually had the most problems with my first pregnancy. I wasn't in very good shape, and had more problems with ligament pain, flexibility, swelling, and moving in general.

I made a real effort to get in better shape. I have actually lost just a little bit of weight over each pregnancy (eating healthier and drinking more water). While pregnant and postpartum, doing prenatal yoga is a huge help. It is gentle, simple and easy on your body but helps keep you in shape. After my first one, maybe a couple of months later, I also picked up a postmaternity pilates DVD. I found that because it was postmaternity, it wasn't too hard. Actually, I could only do about a quarter of it or less at first, and I slowly built up to being able to do the whole thing. I'm not in the best shape so I find this postmaternity pilates to be challenging even when my body is in better shape.

I think the biggest thing that can help is doing something to build up those muscles between pregnancies and then maintaining them during the pregnancy.

And if you can afford it, I highly recommend going to accupuncture. I had my first two in Japan and it was recommended to me. At first I was skeptical but it makes a huge difference! It helped with back pain and ligament pain. Unfortunately, it's more expensive here and I can't afford it now.

I think thats hog wash. After this one is born and tings calm down just do keggles every day. That stregnthens your inner muscles for pushing the aby out. Secondly if you can walk up to 4 miles a day or more would be good for the legs your back and so forth. Try doing stomach crunches too. Those help stegnthen those too. I am not a skinny oersonthis is my 5th kid I am due in May. Each pergnancy has been different my sons who is 7 was my 2nd pregnancy he was my worst and most difficult pregnance my third was similar but not as difficult but baby came out quick fourth pregnancy was good but the baby ad me in labor almost 24hr before commingout i did alot in that day. So everyone is different just have to wait and see. Has there been any tears or anything just your sore. When your getting bigger and the baby growns sometimes there are certain muscles that grow and expand that can be sore for little bit but doen't mean you cant have another one. What you have this one you probably won't the next. Good luck

I don't understand the magic number with 5.

But I've had 6 pregnancies. 3 and 3. I have 3 wonderful sons. 3 miscarriages. My oldest and youngest were difficult deliveries. Middle was fine and easy. Still long, but easy.
What I am dealing with now at middle age is weak bladder muscles. Due in great deal to large babies. You're putting pressure and weight on your insides by having multiple births. That's a lot of weight. And it will have an effect on the tone of muscles later that you may not want to compromise.

Why would you want to do this if you state your body isn't loving you right now? If that's the case, how's your body going to feel with #5? Positively detesting you? Why put your body through this kind of stress if it's clear already that you maybe shouldn't? What's going to convince after #5 that well maybe #6 would work out. Or #7?

If things don't seem right NOW, it could be your body giving you a sign to quit putting it through the ringer! It may not be equipped to handle what your brain or heart are thinking.

I have five kids as well and my experience was very similar to yours. I knew I wanted another baby after the fourth one but I really doubted whether my body would cooperate. However, like everyone else is telling you, muscles can be strengthened. As soon as I could after the birth of my son I began exercising. Nothing major, but a lot of walking with the baby in the jogging stroller, and a big focus on the abs. After a year I was feeling better than I had before the fourth pregnancy but waited another year after that until deciding the time was right for number 5. I ended up continuing to stay active during that uneventful pregnancy. Right near the very end, I was ready to be done, but still felt really good. I had a quick and easy labor--probably the best of the 5 and I'm sure a lot of it had to do with being in better shape. If another baby is what you want, then do what it takes to make it happen. I'm so glad that I did!

Hi mom of 5 here, yes at the end of pregancy it is very hard to walk, with my last one he was a big baby 8 lbs and I was all baby made it hard to get arround. it was harder to carry my 9lb girl she was number 4. My advice just give your self some time to heal before having number 5 when your tired it seems like alot of effort to carry them to the end. your young you can rebound. I did and feel great now, and I am older than you with five at home. get alot of rest it is the best advice let dad do as much work as he can to help you, mine did and it helped me alot. If your children are old enough, let them help you will make the end of this pregnancy alot easier on you. Look at the woman who has had 20 children WOW and she is doing fine.

I am having my 6th, I will be 40 in 2 weeks. I starting having kids when I was 31 (a little later in life). My pregnancies have been somewhat close together and I think that has something to do with recovery/replenishment of my body. But after each pregnancy I take it extremely easy for at least 3 months if not longer (I am a SAHM). My experience has been "fine" but for me it is about me telling my mind that I can do (No you are not going to vomit today, etc). This pregnancy has shown me that I can no longer do 6 loads of laundry and not be flat on my back in pain...so I take it in stride and let alot of stuff go. This is my experience, and Praise God they have been all postive. I haven't had a C-section yet, but my mom had her last at 40 (#6 as well but her pregnancies were more spread out) and that baby was by c-section so we'll see.

I think they get progressively harder for two reasons. Age and physical fitness. Most of us mom's tend to ignore the athletic abilities of our bodies once kids come on the scene. If you are interested in another child I'd suggest getting a trainer and working to get your body into excellent shape for about a year before the pregnancy, and then keep it up during the pregnancy. That should make a huge difference.

sometimes even a 2nd pregnancy can feel like that. The muscles and ligaments are stretched and weakened by previous pregnancies. Usually the doctor suggests a pregnancy belt....you can find them at any medical store. I'm not sure if you need a prescription or if you can just buy one. It basically goes under your belly and helps support.
D.

Hi C.---My first thought was what muscles the Dr. talked about. I'd have to think that just about any muscle can be exercised into better shape. I know that after 3 kids, I REALLY needed to do keigle exercises more frequently. And those are so easy to do...first place would be in the car. With 4 kids, you'll be a chauffer for a LONG time. Your abdominal muscles are another area you want to keep strong your entire life. So many people have back problems because of weak abs.

Comcast cable has exercise programs you can follow. Google ab exercises online. Join a gym. You'll most likely need an opportunity to get out of the house once in awhile w/out the kids. I HIGHLY recommed hiring a trainer to help get you started. Yoga is another practice that concentrates on the 'core'. Please don't let costs scare you from these activities...and I mean costs in ways other than money. Time, for example. You are investing in your health...and possibly sanity, when you undertake these activities.

Another area that cannot be neglected is your diet. Your body's ability to perform any function is directly related to how well you feed it. Junk food gives you a junk body. You get the idea.

I am taking a series of wellness classes so I have a bunch of info I can share that will help you in your efforts to be as healthy as possible, for what ever reason. I really enjoy helping others learn how to optimize their health. I look forward to talking to you. In health, D. ###-###-####