Getting my wife [F30] to plan for pregnancy (X-post from r/marriage)

I'm late to respond, but...

It sounds like she is a planner. I am too! But there are certain things that you just can't plan. Here are my answers to these questions:

  • I've lived in giant houses and I've lived in squished apartments when I was a child. My favorite was actually sharing a studio (and then 1-bedroom) with my mother in NYC. It was cozy. There was fun stuff to do everywhere. And I never had to go "looking" to find an adult in the house. But having a house was also nice. I think in general, though, kids are adaptable, and as long as the adults are happy with the situation, the kids will be.

  • For financial security, make sure you save up a nest egg that you are comfortable with. Some people are ok living paycheck-to-paycheck. Some people want two years' expenses saved. Find something realistic and do it. Cut your budget to bare bones if you need to, and if that's what it takes to get to the security you (as a couple) need to feel comfortable having a baby.

  • What happens with health insurance is that your kid(s) can be on either yours or hers. So if you both have it currently, you just have to compare plans. I'd expect the health insurance landscape to change/settle in the next several years anyway, so I don't think it's realistic to plan this out the long term.

  • You will have time to interview OBs (and midwives) when you're pregnant. 7 months is a long time to do research (especially if you have friends/coworkers you can ask for recommendations). Plus, it might change if you have a high risk vs low risk pregnancy (gestational diabetes, pre-e, twins, etc) and sometimes you just won't know until you try it. So the only other option is to never have kids.

  • When should you buy a house and where will your kids go to school? Again, see my answer about kids being adaptable. But also, I think parents spend a lot of money on kids' schools, but it's not always for the best. It's also important that parents enjoy their lives and have a stable marriage. And it's important that kids have a good "launchpad" when they become adults. So there are many ways you can help your kids as they are growing, that are more than just "good school."

  • The body thing... that is something nobody can know in advance. But if you have a strong emotional connection, hopefully that will strengthen and evolve as you grow your family.

At some point, you just have to go do it. My husband definitely was/is more excited about baby than I am, and part of the reason we're having a baby now is because he's ready (which means he's enthusiastic and supportive).

But also, how do you ever know you're ready for anything? I wasn't 100% sure I was ready to be married until I got married. I wasn't 100% sure I bought a house until I bought it. I wasn't 100% sure I wanted to be a landlord until I did. If your wife is like me, then she will never be "100%" but that's ok, as long as you go in knowing the pros/cons and the risks you are taking.

/r/TryingForABaby Thread