Is 46 too old for a baby?

I had my daughter naturally at 42/43 she's now approaching her 18th birthday. She has no learning difficulties and she's off to Oxford University this September all being well. If you want one go for it. Anyone can have a child with difficulties at any age. Women have children in their 50's as they are going through the menopause,they cope and you will. Good luck and enjoy the making of your baby!! I did. His birthday,Xmas and all special days came all at once!!

DGM had her last of 5 in 1960 and she was 41. The child was a surprise but was a wonderful addition to the family. Early 40s quite different to late though. Only you can decide but I think you need to be very aware of the risks and how different you will probably feel in the next 5 years with menopause.

My MIL was 44 when she had her last. He’s now 28 and awesome. Such a great kid and wonderful addition to the family despite there being 18 years in-between him and the kid before. Why not get your eggs checked to see what condition they are? If all good why not crack on?

A physio, at one time working in the maternity unit, we had two ladies in their 50s having their first babies. It all went very well and their husbands were delighted. All best wishes.

Fucking hell. Your sister was given the gift of life. How awful to be so embarrassed and full of resentment just because she has older parents. Far worse things to be worried about in life.

I think many women are having babies later on now.
Keep yourself healthy look after yourself it sounds like you are in a good relationship with a supportive partner , I dont see a problem with this x

Yes, it’s too old.

What a heartwarming post. Really lovely that you’ve found that person. I think go for it! ASAP. I had my first at 38, second at almost 42, she’s 9 months now. It’s is a lot and tiring BUT they’re the most amazing thing. And you’ve got financial security and confidence you can pay for help to make life easier. There is a much greater risk of genetic issues. I’d highly recommend a NIPT test, much more accurate than nHS ones. Good luck

They actually aren't all that different. The chances of complications in pregnancy and health issues for the child also raise in line with the fathers age. Yet the judgement only really applies to women.

If a woman is able to get pregnant at age 46 (and she may well not be) the chances of complications are higher than if she was younger, but the likelihood is a healthy baby, and until birth control became an option it was perfectly normal for women to continue to have babies into their 40's.

Have unprotected sex and you'll find out if you're too old or not. If it's meant to be, it will happen. (But be prepared for it not to.)

Not a fair comparison

Ignore the people who are saying you are too old, they’re just tying to impose their prejudices on you.

Plenty of people have children at your age. You’ll probably be a better parent now than people ten years younger than you, more experienced in life, financially more stable, etc. You should be perfectly capable of physically handling the challenge when it matters, when they get to mid-teens they are not going to be pestering you to kick a ball in the park, they’ll be doing that with their friends.

Finally, yes there are increased chances of health issues, but they are still vanishingly small.

Go for it..if you feel fit and ready to take on such a change then just do it..all these people saying it's too old probably have no idea what it's like to reach your 40s and not have children..is there an increased risk, very slightly but if its what your heart desires and you feel ready then why not. Yes it's tiring but you know what, I know people in their 50s that are fitter than 20 year olds..you do you xxxxxx

Really? My children was born via IVF genetically screened and no special needs/learning disabilities etc.

OP, congrats on your relationship. I started IVF at 32 (with my own eggs) and it took years to conceive (it would not have happened naturally for us as we had male issues too)
i suggest you book an appt with a specialist sooner rather than later and go from there.

I found on my mum groups the older mums were fairly chilled as parents, probably because we have financial stability eg no need to return to work, no juggling work and childcare, enough money for school fees, university etc. navigating parenthood is hard no matter your age! My only thoughts are as a seasoned IVF-er it’s not for the faint hearted so before you waste energy on a thread like this go get a fertility mot for both of you’
best of luck!

It is for me. I was 36 with DD, it aged me about a decade in a matter of months. Never again OP!

Why not leave it to Mother Nature.

Had my daughter at 42. No regrets.

Do it OP. People are free with advice and smug because they met their partners early in life. It’s just luck. I had my first DD at 40 and second at 42, both ivf. No health issues, no drama. You do you. I’m the oldest mum at the school gates but you wouldn’t know it.

I wouldn’t personally do it, but it’s not me considering it,

I get where you’re coming from, but I don’t think it’s quite as clear-cut. While success rates are lower, women do conceive naturally or with support in their mid-40s, and regular periods can still be a relevant indicator. It’s not about assuming it’ll be easy, just recognising that it’s not impossible either. Everyone’s situation is different.

Not sure what I would do OP. I think on balance I would say don't, but I can see why you want to.

what would happen to the child if one or both of you died or became chronically ill before they reached adulthood?

what would happen to them and to you if they were born with genetic defects ?

being an older mother can feel a bit weird sometimes (had mine at 38 and 42, DS9 who I had at 38 has started to complain about me being an older parent already 😁 but I know he wouldn't want not to exist, which would have been the alternative). Many of my mom friends are 10 years younger than me.

I am now 47 and hell would freeze over before I would start again with a baby at this age, but it's easy to say that because I already have the DC.

also you would likely be 48 when they were born as it will probably take a while to conceive and then 9 months pregnancy.

It’s not about the judgment, it’s about the biological realities which are very different for men and women.

The actual number is incredibly low. Still having regular periods is actually a red herring, as you can still have regular periods and very poor quality eggs, which at 46, is likely to be almost all of them,

I don’t think it’s too old, however you may find it too old to have a biological child. Even if you’re still having regular periods the eggs you have left are unlikely to produce a successful pregnancy.
Honestly, if you’re really serious about achieving a pregnancy and are worried about your age, then I wouldn’t even bother trying to conceive naturally. Find a clinic that will accept someone of your age, have the relevant tests, see what they say, then perhaps look into using donor eggs.

YANBU but I'd take every test going and be prepared for your child to be ASC or have some other kind of SEN; it's quite common with older parents.