How old is too old to have a baby?

My mum had my sister at 45, i had my two at 29 and 31. Circumstances. Why OP - are you older and want a baby or something? Or are you a journo?

Those who had young will say anything over 30/35 is ancient

Those who maybe struggled to have children /didn't meet the man till late in life will say nothing wrong with 35/49/45 even

The older the better sometimes as more patience - have a good career - not struggling with money

Yes a risk if have later in life you may struggle with preg /maybe have sen /may die

Equally as a member of way - widowed and young - people do die Parents do die. Children are left without a parent

It's sucks but you can't change or stop it

In the end it really doesn't matter - old or young

The child /ren are much wanted and loved

Angry? I'm not remotely angry.

I am asking you a question on an open forum.

Why are you so interested? My cut off would have probably been 30. But I was done by 23. We obviously live and have lived very different lives.

I’d be interested to know if I seem like an old mum to others. I’m 10 years older than a couple of mums in DDs class and I will be 46 when DS starts reception. There might be mums 15 years younger than me. I think until this year people would generally be surprised but at 44 my face has suddenly aged!

I have a decent amount of energy, perimenopause challenges aside! I don’t feel too old.

I had menopause at 37 so nature decided for me but despite how heartbreaking it was for me I actually I do think nature should decide.. I don’t think a woman is too old at 37,47 or 57. If her body has conceived - she is not too old.

I think that it very much depends on the person. I had mine at 34 and 36 but had hoped for them earlier but life didn't work out that way for me.
I know two people who had theirs at 39 and 41, both after many years of trying. One of them seems to have more energy than most younger mums and you wouldn't think of her as an older mum but the other does appear an older mum, despite them both having had the children at the same age. She seems much more tired and anxious but at the end of the day, both are so happy to have their long-hoped for children and the children are happy and loved and well-cared for. I think being in the position to provide that is more important than age.

I had my last at 36 , first at 22 . No way would I do after 36.
Age 22 it was a breeze. The wakes at night with a baby. Illnesses sleepless nights. All the school runs , activities , social events.
Now in 40s with primary age kids and it's a killer. Constantly knackered.

Whenever you're going through menopause and unable to have one.

I think it os very personal. There might be struggles to get pregnant, might not have a right patner or right circumstances. I'm above the age of what many has said that it is too old. The choice for me is being too old or no kids. I think if I haven't gotten any by 42 assuming im healthy then I will stop trying. I still wouldn't call it too old.

When a woman can no longer ovulate. Either women can do what we want when we want (and in this case when we are biologically still able) or we can't.

I am not going to judge people for having them in their early 20s or later 40s as there are advantages to both. I personally wouldn't want to raise young children in my 50s, but that is a personal preference.

I'm going to come out loud and proud with the view that no old is too old!
It's so personal.
There are potential disadvantages to having a baby later, eg in 40s - might be more tired during various childcare phases; might not have as many years or healthy years with your DC etc. But there are no guarantees here. Raising children can be knackering at any age. Some people in their 50s and 60s have more energy and patience for parenting than some in their 20s. There are also advantages to having kids earlier (gets it out of the way in a sense!) and to having them later (might be able to bring more life experience and financial stability to the parenting situation).

There are so many variables. It's about what is right for you as a person, for your partner if you have one, and whether you are prepared to take on the commitment (which let's face it, isn't easy at any age, albeit potentially so so worth it!).

People who judge others for having children early or late are just... grrrrr. Seriously lacking in empathy and flexibility of thought in my view.

I was going off what happened to my own mum who had the menopause late 40s then last period at 50.
If I got pregnant at that age, although not ideal, I wouldn't terminate unless it was for medical reasons.

Would you really consider a pregnancy in your early, mid or even late 50s (though the chance of having a viable pregnancy even if periods haven't stopped is very low)?
My periods stopped last year (52) - a surprise pregnancy at that age (which indeed it would have been, what with the not having sex situation) would have floored me. I don't think I would have gone through with it.

For me personally I'd do it until my periods stopped but I had a very easy pregnancy first time round (at 32, I'm 39 now).
I think anything above 45 is pushing it though.
So to answer your original question, 45 for women and 50 for men.

So if I have this right @Shaz83

You have 4kids. 3 under 4 including twins and a 9yr

Preg with 5th

and wondering if have a 6th and then 42 be too old ?