I’m a mum-of-11 and I won’t stop having kids – I know my children need attention and time but I always end up pregnant
I’m a mum-of-11 and I won’t stop having kids – I know my children need attention and time but I always end up pregnant
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A MOTHER who gave birth to her first child at the age of 17 has now welcomed her 11th baby - two decades later. Itzel Melendez, 38, went into labour with her first child Jailyn, 20, on August 20 2004. 20 years later, on December 23, 2024, Itzel and her husband, Itai, 37, a real estate agent, welcomed their 11th child, Judah, two decades after their first addition to the family.
![[Photo of Itzel and Itai Melendez, a Virginia couple who welcomed their eleventh child.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2025-virginia-woman-welcomed-eleventh-967332716.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
With an eleventh baby in the mix, Itzel and Itai have embraced the news with joy and excitement. The busy mum also acknowledged that whilst she knows her children need time and attention, she seems to always ‘end up pregnant’. Itzel said she has a great support system and claimed team work is key when raising a large family.
![[Large family portrait; eleven children with their parents.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2024-itzel-husband-itai-37-967332694.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Prior to giving birth to her 11th child, Itzel, a salon owner from Virginia, US, shared: "We’re super excited about the baby. "We’ve had the little girls back to back, so we were really looking forward to a little boy. "We’re excited to have him and to welcome him into our family.".
![[Pregnant woman standing in front of a vanity.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2025-virginia-woman-welcomed-eleventh-967332486.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
When asked whether Judah might be her last child, Itzel acknowledged: “Usually, when people ask me if I’m going to have any more kids, I would always say no, but to be honest with you, I’d always end up pregnant. “I love being able to have children, but I do understand they need attention, time, and energy - as well as myself.
![[Large family portrait; eleven children with their parents.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2025-virginia-woman-welcomed-eleventh-967332483.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
