How old is too old to have a baby??

purplepatch

I had DD1 when I was 32 and DD2 at nearly 36. I don't think I would have ever felt ready to start trying for DD1 - we had a little errrr... slip up and I ended up being unexpectedly 12 weeks pg at our wedding :rotfl:

I'm really glad it turned out the way it did though, we would probably still be umming and ahhing about it now. It's funny how quickly you come around to the idea, 9 months of pregnancy gives you a fair bit of time to get your head around it.

I will say though that I've felt a lot older and more tired looking after DD2 than I did with DD1 and although she has been a harder baby generally, I do think that getting older has certainly taken its toll on my energy levels.

popsy20

I wish I'd known in my 20s what I know now.

I've been trying for a baby since the age of 32 and am now 38 - fertility decreases after the age of 30 and even more RAPIDLY after 35. Women who get pregnant in their 40s are few and far between but very lucky ladies indeed.

We have had 4 1/2 years of different fertility treatments and are now onto our 2nd attempt at IVF something I would never have contemplated 6 years ago.

No one can find a reason for us not being able to conceive so my advice to BasilCat is please don't wait - just go for it and have fun

LouBlue

popsy20 wrote: »

I wish I'd known in my 20s what I know now.

I've been trying for a baby since the age of 32 and am now 38 - fertility decreases after the age of 30 and even more RAPIDLY after 35. Women who get pregnant in their 40s are few and far between but very lucky ladies indeed.

We have had 4 1/2 years of different fertility treatments and are now onto our 2nd attempt at IVF something I would never have contemplated 6 years ago.

No one can find a reason for us not being able to conceive so my advice to BasilCat is please don't wait - just go for it and have fun

But were you ready to have children in your 20's? I know I wasn't. I wasn't emotionally ready or with the right partner. And I wasn't with the right partner in my 30's. But now I am. Personally, I don't think women should start trying just for the sole reason that they might not get pregnant when they are older. Yes your chances diminish as you get older, but I do think it is just as important to try for a baby when you are emotionally ready and can give the child 150%.

But if you are with the right person at what is perceived as the right age, then I definitely would agree that the person should go for it and not wait.

grey_lady

Both my great grandmothers were still having babies well into their 40's,
of course that's before the Daily Mail told us how hard it is...

mum2one

its a personal choice, medically once your 35 your chances of concieving reduce and again at 40, also your putting both yourself and baby at risk.

I had my daughter and 31 and to an extent I felt old, it was percieved that at that age, I should be on more than one, I was unlucky I suffered 4 miscarriages between the age of 23 and 30, so to an extent my daughter was a miracle, I was wrapped in cotton wool by family, under consultancy care. Im 37 this month, I'll be totally honest - its easier to talk to a stranger this way- in my heart of hearts I would love to have another baby, but I cant. Im a single mum ( my ex walked out when 7 mths gone), but due to health conditions my body would not cope with a pregnancy, and there would be a 90% chance Id end up in a wheelchair.

At times part of me wonders why me, if I had of not miscarried would the situation be different.

If you do want children, dont leave it to late, that your end up regreting it. x

bandraoi

grey_lady wrote: »

Both my great grandmothers were still having babies well into their 40's,
of course that's before the Daily Mail told us how hard it is...

Was it their first child?

twinkle162

The fertility does start to decline over 35, you also have a higher risk of certain conditions, but more importantly, you shouldn't rush into something. A child is not just for Christmas (!). ;-)

amani_2

I had my 1st and 2nd child at 28yr and 29yrs. I then had my 3rd and 4th children at 38yrs and almost 40yrs. It took me about 2yrs too get pregnant with my 1st and 3rd child yet the 2nd and 4th took about 2months. I had a lot more energy with my first 2 which I dont feel I have with my 2 youngest. My hubby would like another child but I always said I would not have anymore after 40yrs.



AMANI XXX

popsy20

I met my husband when I was 25 but we wanted to wait until finances were right etc and we were married until starting to try for a baby - I do regret waiting but, of course, someone should not rush into having a baby just because it might be too late when they are in their 30s - lots of people do get pregnant in their 30s - I'm just not one of them

izzywizzy66

i had my first at 29 2nd at 35 and my 3rd at nearly 41 hate being pregnant so cant say if they were really any different im more tired with 3rd but that may be because i have 3 children