Is 45 too old to have a baby

Exactly this. There is also a higher risk you'll get less time with you child/more importantly child less time with their parent . It isn't easy for dcs to lose parents younger either, or potentially have more caring to do from a younger age. My friend lost her Mum, Mum was 76, friend was 30. Her Mum was healthy, fit and nobody saw it coming. The truth is everybody will die, and it can happen at any age, but it is fact that there is a higher chance it'll happen when you're older, meaning your dcs will likely have longer to live without you. I say this as somebody who has lost a parent in my 30s; it hurts like hell.

What age did you have children out of interest? Woman are exhausted in their 40s/50s because of peri/menopause, I assume you’re one of those who sailed through it? Most don’t and OP needs to take that into consideration.

Sorry, I haven't read all the posts, here's my thoughts:

1. You would he lucky to get pregnant straightaway, so your question is really "Is 46-50 too old to have a baby"
2. As people say, think about when they are 21 you could be 66-71
3. If you die before they are 18, what's to stop them ending up in a children's home - have you got someone ready to adopt them?

I agree with those who say you don’t know how you actually will behave as an older person – let’s say someone of 70 - compared to how you think you will behave around your children. Also, unless I’ve missed it, you haven’t said if you have parents of your own because they are going to become increasingly demanding. You may think it’s not going to happen, I used to think that because my parents seemed so well, but things can go downhill very rapidly.

This and babies aren't supposed to be filling a huge void in people's lives
Not fair on babies either!

@hwi did the other siblings do most of the childcare?

Yes

My parents are a decade older than your mum and don't rely on me for anything. They were both working until a couple of years ago. They still volunteer several days a week. They travel abroad a few times a year. Look after my niece and nephew a couple of times a week and go hillwalking regulary. Dad swims most mornings and mums does yoga, pilates and line dancing.
Its not a given that you turn 60 and become reliant on others overnight which is just as well really as retirement age is closer to 70 than 60 now. Most people your mums age are still at work at least part time.

Highly unlikely. It's much more likely that it was an older daughter's illegitimate child passed off as her own becaue in those days it was just too shameful.

@Catontoof what would your current DC benefit from a sibling. Only children can have great lives, they don’t need a sibling

I’m 45, already have 2 kids and wouldn’t want a baby. I feel like I’ve just got my life back on track now the kids are not so dependent on me.
having said that my friend has recently had a surprise 3rd child at the age of 44. She seems happy.

Yes, I personally think anything over 40 is too old. My parents were both 40 when they had me back in the 70’s. Dad died at 64 and mum’s health was terrible 50+. When I had my children in my early 30’s she was like an elderly woman and someone else I had to take care of. Best age is late 20’s to mid 30’s for me.

I have a close relative produced last baby of a family of 4 at 47. No issues no problems. It's all about the individuals concerned & nothing to do with age.

My parents didnt expect me to care for them but that is exactly what has ended up happening.

No one expects that, no one wants to be "that" parent but aging changes people both physically and emotionally and what seemed anathema during their 40's is treated as perfectly acceptable in their 70's. Little favours, nipping to the shop for example, gradually become bigger and bigger favours almost without anyone realising and then before you know it, you are a full time carer. As I am.

Like what? Learning how to be your village when they should be out clubbing with their mates? If you do this it’s your baby, not your existing DC’s baby, they’re not your partner in this.

Can't be true. Everyone on here knows that as soon as you hit 60 you're decrepit and need to either go in a nursing home or be euthanized. Unless you provide childcare that is.

You'll get so many mixed opinions on this but only you know you and how you would manage this. As long as you're fit and healthy, have a wide network of support especially in case anything ever happened to you if you'd be doing this alone then only you can decide this, not a bunch of strangers on the Internet. Write a list of pros and cons. Research medical conditions that may occur in mother's and children over the age of 40 and then decide. You're not an old lady and having a teenagers in your 50s wouldn't be the end of the world. I know parents that age and foster carers and they all manage and are happy. It's your life, you decide and good luck

You've managed thus far OP, I would concentrate on the positives of your childfree life (more income, much more freedom, WEEKENDS, grown-up holidays, grown-up everything for that matter) and just chalk it up to one of those things you didn't do. There are lots of ways to be a fantastic influence in a child's life short of having a child yourself, after all.

In short, yes. I think 45 is too old to get started on this. You might well find that you don't just get pregnant AT 45, you'll be at least 46 by the time a baby arrives, your pregnancy will statistically be far more prone to risk to you and your baby's outcomes, and you'll not just bounce back after pregnancy and labour. That's just the start. You then have to get used to a tiny dictatorial presence in your life, something I assume you've never had to accommodate before, and you will be SO TIRED. And yes, by the time you have a stroppy teenager you'll be knocking 60. Who needs that?!

A close female relative waited until she was early 40’s before TTC as she had concentrated on her career first. Her DH was older again, sadly they lost their first during later pregnancy, their consultant couldn’t rule out age as being a factor.
They tried again and have a beautiful toddler, and he is much loved and cherished.
I had my first when I was in my late twenties and my final one in my mid thirties and I noticed a difference in my energy levels when running around after them at the toddler stage.
I personally wouldn’t at 45, but depending on what support you have around, some relish motherhood in their mid 40’s.
I would have a look at why you think there is a hole in your life that needs to be filled. I found motherhood sometimes to be exhausting and sometimes isolating.
Another child doesn’t tend to be a fixer of situations, they can actually make things harder and your 14 year old probably won’t enjoy having a much younger sibling.

Our youngest is 15 and my husband is 60. We're doing just fine, thank you.

And did she have a choice? Did she have a rich and fulfilled life washing nappies by hand and worrying that her children would be malnourished, or did she have a stressful life with a lot of struggle and suffering?

My great-great grandma had 23 babies, but I’m damn sure she wouldn’t have had all of them from choice. And besides, it’s completely irrelevant how many babies our great grandmas had, to whether this poster makes an informed choice one way or the other.

I imagine that elderly people who need help but don’t have any children or other relatives to provide support or assistance with their daily living needs, probably end up being referred to Social Care.

I doubt they end up living in gutters.

I think it is but I know a few people who had, 2 friends and one colleague

Oooh ouch.
I actually know several people who have teenagers and are in their 60s. All of them are brilliant parents and the kids are flourishing.
Getting sick of the ageism on this site.

Nothing will give you so much joy as a baby! My great-grandmother had her seventh baby (two died in infancy) in abject poverty in Germany, at 52. No social help, no washing machines, no disposable nappies, no maternity leave, no women's rights. Just saying.

Did she aye?