Is 43 too old for a baby

One of the most shocking things I ever read was an article about female fertility in one of those Sunday newspaper colour supplements a few years ago: that statistically a woman on her 40th birthday is 50% less likely to conceive than she was on her 39th and that the possibility decreases by half every succeeding year. Shocking because I did not know that. But I do know quite a lot of women who have had babies in their forties, I even know a woman who has had two babies in her fifties (albeit via IVF) and she and her husband have never been happier, ever. Fortunately, we are all unique individuals rather than mere statistics.

I say, if you and your husband dearly want and have the mental, physical and economic wherewithall to raise a family, then just get on with it and live happily ever after. The lack of immediate family is a reasonable concern but I doubt any child ever knew suffering because of it. We all form emotional attachments every day of our lives and the heart cares not whether those attachments are blood-connected or not.

I would go for it, see what happens, start trying.

I would imagine it won't be as easy to fall pregnant in your 40's :-(.

We have family around us and they are useless and we are very much on our own and manage fine. Regardless of your age you will be tired.

Good luck :-)

Valli wrote: »

Wouldn't it be lovely if EVERY baby born into the world was a wanted baby...
I was an older mum - not that old but still...
yes they're hard work, expensive, etc etc but I wouldn't be without my two.

No one knows what the future holds.
As long as you have written a will and appointe dguardians you will have done all you can.

Best of luck with it

Agree completely. If you both really want a child and will love to bits then get cracking tonight (after taking the folic acid).
Time is not on your side.
Had my last (DD) at just under 40, could be missing out on doing things - but they'll still be able to be done later along the line. Would not change a thing - DD makes me laugh more than anything else in the world.

I don't think it is too old at all my Aunty was the same age when she started her 2nd family, they are now 20 & 21 she is still here, same with my Nanna her youngest was born when she was in her 40's, he is now 40 an my Nanna is still here, she has watched his children grow up too.

If it is what you and your husband really want then go for it. Guardians ect are something any parent of any age needs to concider. As another poster said the child having no immediate family is no big issue strong bonds are created everyday without blood ties x

My mother in law was 53 when she had my husband, her 12th child and he was a great uncle as soon as he was born. She died when she was 96 so she was around for him and her masses of grandchildren, my youngest son is the 62nd, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren etc. She was very wise and a great mother in law and Nan and I know none of us would have managed without her, I only had 3 and couldn't manage!

You don't know what is around the corner in life just go for it, don't worry about what anyone thinks, all a child needs is love