It seems that for most women, it’s near-universal. At some point in our adult lives, the desire for a baby kicks us so hard it’s almost a physical ache. You go from being a normal, sane woman to someone who can think of little bitty babies. It begins to feel like an ache gnawing inside of you, as if there is already a piece of you missing, even if that piece doesn’t technically exist yet.

Ah, broodiness, there’s nothing like it, is there? It’s a simple biological impulse, and left unchecked, it runs wild. It doesn’t seem to differentiate between those without children and those who are already Moms; it packs the same punch to us all. Before we know it, it becomes all-consuming. Family Inceptions is one such place where this deep desire is acknowledged, helping people navigate their journey to parenthood.

When you are already a parent, broodiness is especially difficult to deal with. You’re meant to have satisfied that urge, and there’s no doubt that you pour plenty of love and joy into your current child or children. You’re supposed to be complete, but somehow, it still feels like there is something missing.

The decision to have more children is life-altering though. Women go through many phases of wondering if it is the right thing, even if their life plan figured in having as many children as possible. Sometimes, confronted by the reality, you’re torn between your sensible head and what your body clock demands. Thankfully, you have a few options.

  1. Have Another Child Naturally

Now, obviously, this is not as simple as the above statement sounds! But it’s the right course for many women, as they decide to let nature take its course. This depends on the relative health of both parties involved and if you can take time off work to nurture your little one. It is by the far the simplest option, though not without its drawbacks. The health complications of pregnancy are not mild – make sure you can juggle those with raising another child at the same time.

 

  1. Look For A Little Help

If you’re past a perfect child-bearing age, then you can look at ways of having a biological child without the pregnancy. IVF and surrogacy are becoming more and more commonplace in modern life. While you may miss the sensation of carrying the child yourself, it makes sense if you’re too busy to juggle pregnancy with the rest of your life. If it’s important to you that you or your partner have a biological connection to the child, then it’s a good second option.

  1. Consider Adoption

Perhaps you’re not at a point where you feel the need for more biological children, but feel that your days of parenting aren’t over yet. It’s ideal if there are health constraints on the idea of pregnancy, or financial bars to artificial insemination. Opting for child adoption or infant adoption match also gives you the opportunity to help an unwanted child have a second chance in life. Adoption is a common practice, with plenty of families looking to adopt a child every year- you don’t have to be childless to apply.

  1. Fostering

If you have some parenting juice leftover but don’t know if you can handle raising a child full-scale, signing up as a foster parent is a good option. You can provide a home, safety and security for a troubled child and improve their chances in life. It’s not something to go into in a rush, so make sure you do plenty of research- but the benefits could be endless.

  1. Try and Get Over It!

Ah, perhaps the hardest of all, but sometimes it’s the only option. It may just not be the right time for you to consider expanding your family, or perhaps it’s not financially viable for you to consider. You may have a stubborn partner, or just not feel ready to try and share yourself between more children. Your head can overrule your heart, but it’s not going to stop your heart from wanting to ache.

There is no surefire cure. It’s worth writing down all the reasons you have decided not to proceed, so you can read over them in moments of weakness. Remind yourself this is a biological craving, but that you have the right to overrule it for the sake of your family.

It may not seem like it, but over time, the feeling will begin to fade. You may still get reminders of the broodiness from time to time, but it will stop being so total.

Whichever course you choose to move forward with, wishing you the very best of luck with it!