Is 46 too old for a baby?

I was 42 when I had my first, 44 2nd and 47 3rd. My 3rd was premature but nothing to do with my age, she stopped moving and they felt it necessary for her to be born. She came out fighting and is the strongest character I know with no health issues.

I had to use ivf but not because of my age, I had been wrongly diagnosed with a condition and the treatment along with an undiagnosed condition resulted in fertility issues.

I was far too selfish when I was younger, not financially secure or mature enough but was when I had my first.

you are most certainly not too old.

I’m nearly 60 now with a teen. You don’t need to worry about us. She is my highest priority. We have a great life. We’ve travelled loads together and have a fantastic relationship. I’m am happy I had the opportunity to have a baby in my 40s. It was a huge sadness to me that I’d never had a child. DD is the light of my life.

I’m 46 with a toddler and a five year old and OH MY GOD it’s hard. I’m exhausted. I’ve lost loads of weight just from being emotionally and physically stressed from working full time, logistics of school and nursery, and very rarely having a break due to not really having any regular weekend/evening childcare options (family live far away).

I’d say if you have family/childcare nearby, then it’s doable, but make sure you REALLY want to . . .

Well there are increased health risks but they are risks not definites. I say go for it.

But the thing is, that you cannot decide at 46 that you would like to go back and have your children when you are 10 years younger, at 36, say.

The options are to have children belatedly- if you can - or not have children.

My own children seem to very much enjoy being alive and tell me that they are glad that they were born, even though their parents are in their 60s now.

I think if you don’t try you’ll regret it. As others have said at your age it won’t be easy but you never know! You might be super fertile and it happens with little bother. Def an increase likelihood of issues in pregnancy and with the baby but just look at Amanda Byram.. first baby at 49 and pregnant at 51, but that is ivf I think. Good luck with what you decide!

I think it's borderline whether you are too old or not. I had my second child at 44. If you are healthy and fit, and if you are prepared to accept the increased risk of a child with additional needs, I think it's up to you. You could do a pre-conceptual care programme like this one.
https://www.drmyhill.co.uk/wiki/How_to_ensure_a_healthy_baby_-_the_Foresight_approach
This has been shown to maximise fertility and minimise the chance of problems with the baby.

I know someone who got pregnant naturally at age 48. It’s worth a try.

Yes I would say no. Both my parents were old parents and died when I was young. No one talks about that enough when being an older parent

Also you can be a loan child. I worry about this for my DD when I’m older and she has to deal without a sibling for support… tho appreciate that’s controversial !

Getting pregnant might be possible but the hard work happens when the babys here. Nothing can prepare you for their arrival..its not easy physically or mentally. I was late 30s & wish I had started earlier. However nobody on here can tell you what's right for you... that's a choice you'll have to make yourselves.

My mum had me at 45. I was her third. I am now 46 and she is 90. She never seemed like an “older” mum whilst I was growing up although she did have pretty old fashioned values…. But that could happen at any age? I think you should go for it. I would far rather know a baby was being born to an older mother who was mature enough for the responsibility and had spent time thinking if it was the right thing to do, than someone much younger with zero maturity. And honestly, who cares what anyone thinks. If you can love a child and provide for them then what does age matter. Good luck.

I'd say it was too old. The chances of serious problems are high. And chances of conceiving not great. I don't think it would be wise.

Absolutely not true. My hormones played a trick on me as I was approaching 40 and I was suddenly desparate for a baby. It didn't happen for me and now at 46 I am immensly happy I don't have a 6 year old. Plenty of people also regret babies you have had, especially if they have severe disabilities.

It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks, if you both want a baby go for it. I was 40 when I had my first and 44 when I had my second. I have no regrets at all. I would have had a third but we didn’t have any bedrooms left and we couldn’t afford anywhere bigger.

No but go straight for IVF

To be honest I think it's too old I wouldn't want people thinking my child is my grandchild but it is your life and you make your own decisions, you could be young for your age, fit healthy and fine having a baby.

At 45 personally I think having a baby might possibly kill me (being over dramatic but …), I have heart issues, a bad back, get chest pains and have had four kids and am now totally unfit. If you can say most of these aren’t you I’d say best of luck and go for it x

If you're going to try (and by try, I would say you need to go privately to a fertility clinic) I would go into it still fully expecting it not to work.
Make sure you have a good life insurance policy in place to cover you until 75, and be fully aware of what you're signing up to. I was on my feet most of the day and up through the night at 2 years old with mine. Personally I can't imagine doing it at 50, but everyone is different energy wise.

What a pile of shit

Hi. If you feel that you want to try for a kid that is entirely up to you and your partner. And lots of people have kids over 40.
However yes it would be difficult to deal with the exhaustion and all baby wise things. Its tiring whatever anyone says its exhausting and very time and energy demanding. Very worthwhile especially if its something that you always wanted and doable however. I never wanted kids until i was 38 and now i cannot imagine my life without my kid.
My advice as a medic. First of all have all the fertility tests. Despite you having regular periods your egg quality at 46 would be severely compromised due to genetics. Possibilities of healthy embryo are very low. And time is of the essence at this point. As others have said IVF would provide the best chance for a healthy baby avoiding multiple cycles of trying and anxiety over health. However IVF is also not a given and you need to keep this in mind as this is also associated with lots of expectations and sometimes your dreams are crashed. Its very emotional and very hard on couples.
Have the tests, visit IVF clinics and aim for a gently stimulation as possibilities are higher for quality with this option. Also if there is an issue with your own eggs egg donation is also an option. I know that at this point it might not be a thing that you want to consider but I think lots of people will agree after having your baby it doesn't matter at all.
This is a very personal matter and everyone has an opinion but whatever works for me and you might not work for others. If this is what you want and when you go to sleep you wake up thinking of a life with a baby and that feels right give it a go and try. Its a long road I am afraid and not guaranteed but again i am a strong believer in not having regrets in life.

But OP will be more like 47 by the time a baby of hers is born. That a lot different to 41 IMO.

I think OP is too old, personally, but it’s her life and her choice.

Yabu. 1/25 chance of Down Syndrome and you wont be around to support the child as an adult.
Watch "you can't ask that" on Netflix. The episode about people with Downs. Where they discuss their fear of their parents dying and what they'll do after that.

I think that if you and your partner are financially stable, are in good health (as far as you know), and have a good support network and plan in place in terms of needing any support from family members or friends bearing your ages in mind, then I do think you only have one life and should do what is ultimately going to make you happy. Be prepared for things to majorly change i.e. potential sleepless nights and less of a social life/time to do what you want. If you are willing to give up the life you have now then I do think there is no reason not to go for it. Parents can die at any age and yes there are more risks at your age so maybe do some research and make sure you are both 100% committed to this journey, but anyone who has so much love to give deserves to be a parent.

Crack on OP and good luck to you!

Getting pretty "normal" for women to be having babies in their mid-40s. Go for it 🙂