How old is too old to have a baby?

Shaz83 · 2024-11-14T11:40:31+00:00

Just wondering how old is too old to have a baby? Fair enough being healthy etc is fine.. but how old is too old?

worldwidetravel2017 · 29/07/2025 09:11

CareerChange24 · 29/07/2025 07:05

Giving it until the autumn and then going down the ivf route.

Congrats on the pregnancy ♥️

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Thank you

BunMum26 · 29/07/2025 08:30

I’m 37 and pregnant with my first. I would have had children 10+years ago if I could, however after years of infertility, this is me. I always had a firm ‘no children after 40’ stance, however as the years ticked by and I got closer to 40, my views have altered slightly. I’ve always wanted 2 children, but then in November last year were told IVF was our only option. Knowing the wait lists in our area, and the toll it takes on the body, we made the decision of 1 and done, as I felt like I would need to have 2 close together in order to not be ‘too old’ to have a second child. By some miracle we actually conceived naturally the cycle before we were due to start IVF. My thoughts are now changing again, and I’m thinking actually, once this baby is here, I’m not going to use contraception as I feel hopeful we could maybe have another child before I get ‘too old’. Having said that, it did take a long time to get pregnant with this one, so if I don’t get pregnant again quickly, I may change my mind again!

so for me, I’d say early forties. However if I hadn’t got pregnant I may have continued beyond that age.

Ankleblisters · 29/07/2025 07:20

I think it depends on the person. I say this as someone who has never even tried to conceive so I don't know what pregnancy and childbirth feel like.
But one factor is how long into that child's life are you likely to be healthy, fit and strong? And that can't always be predictable.
My grandmother had my father at 46, which was very unusual in the 1950s. But she lived a long life and was healthy, strong and independent into old age. She died when he was 50.
My mother had me at 32 and my sister at 36. We lost her two months ago aged only 71, and my sister has a lot of anger (not at Mum, at young-onset dementia) that she never got to have a proper relationship with her as an adult.

CareerChange24 · 29/07/2025 07:05

worldwidetravel2017 · 29/07/2025 07:01

When your 35 or over - i recommend pgta testing
If u do ivf

Weve avoided 4 more miscarriages that way
And currently preg

Giving it until the autumn and then going down the ivf route.

Congrats on the pregnancy ♥️

worldwidetravel2017 · 29/07/2025 07:01

When your 35 or over - i recommend pgta testing
If u do ivf

Weve avoided 4 more miscarriages that way
And currently preg

worldwidetravel2017 · 29/07/2025 07:00

CareerChange24 · 29/07/2025 04:53

Could you update the thread on how conceiving at 35 is going? I’m the same age and getting nervous

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Im 38.5
7 weeks preg with our ivf baby

CareerChange24 · 29/07/2025 04:53

EskarinaWeatherwax · 14/11/2024 11:51

I think it very much depends on your circumstances. I'm 34, didn't meet my life partner until early 30s and realistically we couldn't have started trying any sooner due to personal circumstances. We'll be trying early next year (having to wait due to MMR jab). In an ideal world though I'd have been done having babies long before 35.

Could you update the thread on how conceiving at 35 is going? I’m the same age and getting nervous

Pipconkermash · 12/02/2025 10:14

Shaz83 · 22/11/2024 07:34

Oh hubby is good thanks just told me to ignore the twats on mn 😂😂😂😂 there just haters 🤣🤣🤣 I just find it hilarious 🤣 kids are good 👍 👌☺️

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I mean…

Pipconkermash · 12/02/2025 10:12

Ha. This thread OP was mental.

Wanderdust · 10/02/2025 08:56

FFS, not another one of these. Sick of the older mum bashing! Some of us aren't that lucky and do not get to choose when we are finally blessed with children. So there's no magic number.

Yalta · 10/02/2025 08:51

My friend was similar. Really wanted children but her self imposed limits stopped her. When I became pregnant at almost 40 and all of the things she said would happen because I was so old, tiredness, birth defects, being a very elderly parent who looked like the grandma pushing the pram etc didn’t happen it rather put a dampener our friendship.

Original poster

Shaz83 · 22/11/2024 20:25

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Troll 😂😂

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Hellskitchen24 · 22/11/2024 20:02

Shaz83 · 21/11/2024 11:35

Why would your cut off be 40? If you don’t mind me asking 🙂

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Biology for one. You create more abnormal eggs vs normal ones in your 40s. The odds are just better stacked in your favour below 40.

I guess I never saw myself as being an “older” mum, which is ironic as someone who will be an older mum. But there is just something for me psychologically about hitting 40. I was the same when I hit 30 but kids wasn’t on the cards then (but should have been in hindsight!).

K0OLA1D · 22/11/2024 15:10

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😂

SereneFish · 22/11/2024 14:51

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Original poster

Shaz83 · 22/11/2024 09:11

TheMamaLife · 22/11/2024 07:46

Glad you agree the question was fair.. it was a question for you specifically from another poster.. care to answer it?

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Nah I don’t want to entertain any negativity thanks.
have a good day ☺️

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Original poster

Shaz83 · 22/11/2024 08:00

TheMamaLife · 22/11/2024 07:51

Just seen your previous comment about the break from MN.. don’t worry about this question, take your break. Stay positive.

Sometimes these pregnancy hormones can make you feel het up.. I guess it’s better to let the energy out online at strangers than people in the real world.. do whatever keeps the harmony in the world that matters.. no one on MN is taking anything personally anyhow.

Good luck with the rest of the pregnancy!

Thanks so much! Nice to have a lovely response! Hubby is laffin me to hahaha because people in my world are no where near negative nasty and angry always so angry 😡 😂 thank god! Lo anyway you have a good day and stay calm ☺️

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Original poster

Shaz83 · 22/11/2024 07:56

Judetiff · 22/11/2024 07:47

I had my first at 21 and my second at 41. I found it much easier the second time around as I was over all the partying, etc., and I was more settled and financially secure. I now look after my 2 granddaughters quite often and they give me a new lease of life. My friend had twins at 48!

So nice to read breathe of fresh air! Thanks for your positive comment. And good for you ❤️💖

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TheMamaLife · 22/11/2024 07:51

Just seen your previous comment about the break from MN.. don’t worry about this question, take your break. Stay positive.

Sometimes these pregnancy hormones can make you feel het up.. I guess it’s better to let the energy out online at strangers than people in the real world.. do whatever keeps the harmony in the world that matters.. no one on MN is taking anything personally anyhow.

Good luck with the rest of the pregnancy!

Judetiff · 22/11/2024 07:47

I had my first at 21 and my second at 41. I found it much easier the second time around as I was over all the partying, etc., and I was more settled and financially secure. I now look after my 2 granddaughters quite often and they give me a new lease of life. My friend had twins at 48!

TheMamaLife · 22/11/2024 07:46

Shaz83 · 22/11/2024 07:36

Yea it’s a fair question. I had a groovy chick pencil case aswell! 😊

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Glad you agree the question was fair.. it was a question for you specifically from another poster.. care to answer it?

Original poster

Shaz83 · 22/11/2024 07:45

TheMamaLife · 22/11/2024 00:22

I’m not angry… why would you say that??

I’m pointing out the obvious, as anyone else can see, because you sallied rather child like, repeated asking posters to keep justifying their positions, even though they already have, as though you are not satisfied until they put aside their own personal life experiences and agree with you fully. 😂

OP, sweetheart, you’re so angry and argumentative. I’ve been dipping in and out of this thread with mild concern for your mental health… the way you attack everyone, the ferocity of your responses… you’re pregnant, this kind of aggression is not good for you or baby… it might be best if your gave MN and your phone a little break, eh? What do you say? 💐

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for sure taking a break! There are too many angry negative people on here…. Gosh your lives must be very hard and shallow and not very exciting lol 😂 this is only aimed to the ones that attack me btw. Anyway I’m off now going to take a nice relaxing 😎 break hahaha. Oh wait I best be careful when I come back….. because there will be negative comments! After this lol but hey I won’t entertain it….☺️😆

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Original poster

Shaz83 · 22/11/2024 07:36

TheMamaLife · 22/11/2024 00:33

Fair question.

(Your name made me giggle btw… I had a groovy chick pencil case … I thought the whole brand was very niche! 1987 baby here too!)

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Yea it’s a fair question. I had a groovy chick pencil case aswell! 😊

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Original poster

Shaz83 · 22/11/2024 07:34

TheMamaLife · 22/11/2024 00:36

You might want to stop accusing everyone of being angry… you’re sounding like a gaslighter. - Just saying!

I hope you’re okay.. and the kids and hubby are fine too. Pregnancy hormones eh?

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Oh hubby is good thanks just told me to ignore the twats on mn 😂😂😂😂 there just haters 🤣🤣🤣 I just find it hilarious 🤣 kids are good 👍 👌☺️

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Original poster

Shaz83 · 22/11/2024 07:30

Rewis · 22/11/2024 00:39

Picked a number. Could change my mind when the time comes. Either continue or stop earlier. But ended in 42 as a number so that there might be few years left before menapause. I don't personally believe in making cut off age statements beforehand.

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Ok fair enough

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