Is 46 too old for a baby?

You can always try and see what happens as long as you acknowledge that it might not happen. Personally I wouldn’t try at 46 anymore because of increased risks of various things and also because of how hard the first years are once the baby is here.

I would say try it for a year IF you are healthy and reasonably expect to remain so. No family history of serious disease or early death which has any kind of genetic link.

I had kids over ten years earlier than you and STILL consider myself an older parent. To mitigate the downsides and risks, I keep a healthy weight, exercise, avoid too much sugar, alcohol and UPFs, and so on. Basically cutting the chances of avoidable cancers and other illnesses related to a unhealthy lifestyle. I think at 46 you would both need to be absolutely dedicated to this kind of lifestyle, to give your child the best chance you can of reaching adulthood with both parents still fit and well.
Being healthy will also really help with the tiredness 😂

I think you need to think how the child will view it in years to come - they will be quite young when they might be expected to care for elderly parents and they will likely be an only child so it will all fall to them. Even if you think you won’t ask for help, they might feel obliged.

The flip side to this is that they will get any inheritance a little bit earlier than others and they will be alive, which obviously won’t happen if you don’t have them!

You also need to consider if you would cope if they had any disabilities.

I know 2 people who were born to parents roughly the same age as you - both resented their parents when their parents were elderly and thought they had been selfish having them. But that won’t be everybody’s story.

Of course you can, and many do.

Yes too old. I am 53 and have a 16 year old so will need to keep working until she is out of university. It’s the practical and financial stuff you really need to consider not just whether it’s physically possible. Then the risks, there are plenty.

Unfortunately, yes, I think it's too old. Maybe you could look into fostering/adopting a child?

Only you know if you could manage it.

I had my first at 18, 2nd at 27 and 3rd at 29 and now they are 25, 17 and 15 and I couldn’t imagine changing nappies and getting up countless times in the night. I also enjoy the freedom I now have as they’re all old enough to mostly sort themselves out.
Saying that though, it’s because I’ve been a mum for 25 years now and I’m knackered 😂

I think you’ll know, deep down if it’s the right decision for you. If you don’t…do what my nan always suggested - flip a coin, while it’s in the air you’ll know what you’re hoping for!

I had DS at 38 and it’s a push to be as active as I’d like 9 years on. If you’re exceptionally fit and active then maybe but otherwise I don’t think it’s wise,

A quick Google indicates the average person around your age has a 4% chance of pregnancy every month (vs approx 25% at age 25), so on average it could take two years to conceive naturally, instead of 4 months. Then the risk of miscarriage is over 50% (vs 10% age 25).

With a new relationship especially, the risk this is just your ovaries trying it on for a last hoorah before perimenopause, is significant.

Just enjoy your life.

Not unreasonable. Low chance you will get preg naturally at 46 but it’s not a never

so could do ivf if no money issues as more chance will get preg then ttc every month

equally if doing ivf could think about donor eggs - not sure your views on de

I was almost 44 when had mini blondes. Mother Nature wasn’t nice to me so took 10yrs ttc and 5 private ivf so many thousands

but worth every penny /pound

I think I’m a better mum as have a stable home /house /good job so no real money worries but obv need to work

have more patience and don’t want to be in the pub /clubbing every weekend as I did they in my 20/30’s

good luck

if you do ivf welcome to message me as bene there. Worn the r shirt as such

Not unreasonable. Low chance you will get preg naturally at 46 but it’s not a never

so could do ivf if no money issues as more chance will get preg then ttc every month

equally if doing ivf could think about donor eggs - not sure your views on de

I was almost 44 when had mini blondes. Mother Nature wasn’t nice to me so took 10yrs ttc and 5 private ivf so many thousands

but worth every penny /pound

I think I’m a better mum as have a stable home /house /good job so no real money worries but obv need to work

have more patience and don’t want to be in the pub /clubbing every weekend as I did they in my 20/30’s

good luck

if you do ivf welcome to message me as bene there. Worn the r shirt as such

Not unreasonable. Low chance you will get preg naturally at 46 but it’s not a never

so could do ivf if no money issues as more chance will get preg then ttc every month

equally if doing ivf could think about donor eggs - not sure your views on de

I was almost 44 when had mini blondes. Mother Nature wasn’t nice to me so took 10yrs ttc and 5 private ivf so many thousands

but worth every penny /pound

I think I’m a better mum as have a stable home /house /good job so no real money worries but obv need to work

have more patience and don’t want to be in the pub /clubbing every weekend as I did they in my 20/30’s

good luck

if you do ivf welcome to message me as bene there. Worn the r shirt as such

Not unreasonable. Low chance you will get preg naturally at 46 but it’s not a never

so could do ivf if no money issues as more chance will get preg then ttc every month

equally if doing ivf could think about donor eggs - not sure your views on de

I was almost 44 when had mini blondes. Mother Nature wasn’t nice to me so took 10yrs ttc and 5 private ivf so many thousands

but worth every penny /pound

I think I’m a better mum as have a stable home /house /good job so no real money worries but obv need to work

have more patience and don’t want to be in the pub /clubbing every weekend as I did they in my 20/30’s

good luck

if you do ivf welcome to message me as bene there. Worn the r shirt as such

Not unreasonable. Low chance you will get preg naturally at 46 but it’s not a never

so could do ivf if no money issues as more chance will get preg then ttc every month

equally if doing ivf could think about donor eggs - not sure your views on de

I was almost 44 when had mini blondes. Mother Nature wasn’t nice to me so took 10yrs ttc and 5 private ivf so many thousands

but worth every penny /pound

I think I’m a better mum as have a stable home /house /good job so no real money worries but obv need to work

have more patience and don’t want to be in the pub /clubbing every weekend as I did they in my 20/30’s

good luck

if you do ivf welcome to message me as bene there. Worn the r shirt as such

Not unreasonable. Low chance you will get preg naturally at 46 but it’s not a never

so could do ivf if no money issues as more chance will get preg then ttc every month

equally if doing ivf could think about donor eggs - not sure your views on de

I was almost 44 when had mini blondes. Mother Nature wasn’t nice to me so took 10yrs ttc and 5 private ivf so many thousands

but worth every penny /pound

I think I’m a better mum as have a stable home /house /good job so no real money worries but obv need to work

have more patience and don’t want to be in the pub /clubbing every weekend as I did they in my 20/30’s

good luck

if you do ivf welcome to message me as bene there. Worn the r shirt as such

Not unreasonable. Low chance you will get preg naturally at 46 but it’s not a never

so could do ivf if no money issues as more chance will get preg then ttc every month

equally if doing ivf could think about donor eggs - not sure your views on de

I was almost 44 when had mini blondes. Mother Nature wasn’t nice to me so took 10yrs ttc and 5 private ivf so many thousands

but worth every penny /pound

I think I’m a better mum as have a stable home /house /good job so no real money worries but obv need to work

have more patience and don’t want to be in the pub /clubbing every weekend as I did they in my 20/30’s

good luck

if you do ivf welcome to message me as bene there. Worn the r shirt as such

Not unreasonable. Low chance you will get preg naturally at 46 but it’s not a never

so could do ivf if no money issues as more chance will get preg then ttc every month

equally if doing ivf could think about donor eggs - not sure your views on de

I was almost 44 when had mini blondes. Mother Nature wasn’t nice to me so took 10yrs ttc and 5 private ivf so many thousands

but worth every penny /pound

I think I’m a better mum as have a stable home /house /good job so no real money worries but obv need to work

have more patience and don’t want to be in the pub /clubbing every weekend as I did they in my 20/30’s

good luck

if you do ivf welcome to message me as bene there. Worn the r shirt as such

Not unreasonable. Low chance you will get preg naturally at 46 but it’s not a never

so could do ivf if no money issues as more chance will get preg then ttc every month

equally if doing ivf could think about donor eggs - not sure your views on de

I was almost 44 when had mini blondes. Mother Nature wasn’t nice to me so took 10yrs ttc and 5 private ivf so many thousands

but worth every penny /pound

I think I’m a better mum as have a stable home /house /good job so no real money worries but obv need to work

have more patience and don’t want to be in the pub /clubbing every weekend as I did they in my 20/30’s

good luck

if you do ivf welcome to message me as bene there. Worn the r shirt as such

Not unreasonable. Low chance you will get preg naturally at 46 but it’s not a never

so could do ivf if no money issues as more chance will get preg then ttc every month

equally if doing ivf could think about donor eggs - not sure your views on de

I was almost 44 when had mini blondes. Mother Nature wasn’t nice to me so took 10yrs ttc and 5 private ivf so many thousands

but worth every penny /pound

I think I’m a better mum as have a stable home /house /good job so no real money worries but obv need to work

have more patience and don’t want to be in the pub /clubbing every weekend as I did they in my 20/30’s

good luck

if you do ivf welcome to message me as bene there. Worn the r shirt as such

I’m 47. At 45 I slipped a disc and have had achey joints- hips, elbows, lower back- for quite a while now- I’m losing weight (not that I think that’ll help my elbows 🤣), but I would NOT want to go through a first pregnancy now, not for any money. (Subsequent pregnancies might be different as the body knows what it’s doing.) And I’m fit and strong, sore joints notwithstanding.

I’m also very tired, and so is my OH. We got together at 42 and have both noticed a significant drop in energy levels since then. I have an older dc and he has none. I wouldn’t want to go through little-child rearing again now, I don’t cope as well with sleep deprivation or the tie to their needs.

Finally, the thought of having a child with additional needs is worth considering because while it can happen at any age, it’s potentially more significant if you’re an older parent. What would happen if your dc needed ongoing care, as you aged into needing care yourselves?

Good luck whatever you decide. It’s worth thinking about all the worst case scenarios as well as the beautiful parts. In your shoes I would sway towards appreciating and enjoying the life you have with your partner, but you might choose to go for it, so I wish you happiness whatever.

I'd say try, but do prepare yourself for it not to work. I got pregnant at 46, naturally, but lost the baby at nine weeks and the sheer hormonal kerfuffle sent me into premenopause and caused me a few problems.

I think you’re too old but ultimately it’s up to you. I met my soulmate at 44 and was diagnosed with metastatic cancer at 47.

Yes it’s too old.

Mentally and financially of course not too old but fertility does reduce even from age 35 so you need to be aware that you may not manage it. I would start trying naturally right away tracking your ovulation with a kit with aim of getting pregnant in a month or two and having a 2nd child the year after. It may be worth paying for a fertility clinic too right away given the age.
The clinic can also assess your eggs (and your partner's sperm as no point trying if he is infertile). It may be necessary to use a donor egg but at least the child/children would be your partner's genetic child. You also might want to marry as that probably simplifies a lot of things too. Some countries abroad using your eggs and his sperm will implant more than one with IVF which greatly increases your chances whereas the UK moved to just one.

Have unprotected sex and zee what happens? If nature says yes then your not too old. I personally wouldn't consider anything beyond that