Is 46 too old for a baby?

start trying now. Take a good pre pregnancy vitamin.

you aren’t always at risk of babies with additional needs as less babies are born to older women as younger women can have babies born that have needs. There are more pregnancies in younger women.

but be prepared for heart break in case of loss.

if you don’t try you might regret it even if you don’t have a baby.

I personally would not...I think you are lucky to have found love later in life so enjoy your relationship and I personally would not add children to the mix.

What’s right for you is right for you and sod opinions! I was 38 and 42. Could have had kids with earlier partners but none measured up as a potential parenting partner before meeting my hubs.
It can be harder. Certain risks are elevated. Don’t let that stop you trying.
I might be a bit crunchy but I believe if its meant to be, it’ll happen.

I couldnt do it again at 35 let alone 46.
Im 38 and my baby is 22 and moved out.

I agree with this. There are studies showing that the biggest drop in female fertility occurs around 43. This is also my experience - it took us 1-2 cycles with DC1 and DC2, although I was already pushing 40, and close to 4 years with DC3. It’s not impossible but difficult.

I am not arguing against older parents but I wonder if they would be as full of vim and vigour if they had had a child - esp a disabled one ! I speak from experience - I had a baby at 39 who is disabled and then another at 41 who is totally fine apart from being a teenager !

I am 46 and knackered tbh. I really don’t think I could manage sleepless nights at this point. I think this may depend a lot on you personally. I have 70 year old relatives who seem full of vim and vigour and if they had managed to have a child ( they tried when in early 40s) would of had a lovely childhood and would be enjoying regular ski holidays and the holidaying in Spain these days. I reckon they are healthier than me.

Probsbly th

You were 42/43 when you conceived? I think that is quite different to starting at 47 and maybe not conceiving until 48/49. It's a lot of pressure. Sometimes it's good to just accept that the ship has passed. OR just let nature take its course and if it happens naturally so be it.

Most with donor eggs. Women are not remaining fertile for longer, no matter how youthful and fit they look on the outside.

Go for it. If it works for you, it'd be amazing. There are an increasing number of live births to the over 50s each year in the UK.

It’s not prejudice. No matter how fit and well I may seem, my eggs inside are old. OP is already 46. 47/8 is a lot older than your early forties egg. Sad but it’s just a cold hard fact.

I am an older mum. 49, and have a 6 year old (i also have an older child). I don't notice the difference between myself and the other mums tbh. I do think you have more of a responsibility to keep yourself fit & healthy. I eat well, make sure I exercise, this has to be a priority. Probably in better shape than a lot that are 10/15 years younger. I would look at the comments & experiences of the older mums here as there does seem to be a bit of prejudice. I haven't experienced it myself.
Even with clockwork periods it can take a lot longer to get pregnant and there are higher risks. 2 years for me! I had regular scans throughout (the later ones i booked privately) and was induced early. Made sure I followed medical guidance and got myself under a great hospital. If I were you, I'd definitely go for it. Have no regrets! Good luck xx

Wanted to quote @CKMc2b in my above ⬆️ post but something went wrong.

I agree with most of this (I’m against PGT, especially at older age, agree with the rest). We also have done just one round of IVF (when I was 44) resulting in two, unsuccessful transfers.

We decided against doing anymore IVF but only because I get pregnant very easily. It has always been like this, I have two older (but still very young) DCs and it took me under three months to get pregnant in each case, I also come from fertile and long-living family, same as DH. My only problem was age, and at 45 and more this becomes a numbers’ game - you only need one strong, good egg but they are getting harder to come by.

I would definitely don’t dismiss lifestyle factors though. At 45 and over eating well, regular exercise (all types) is crucial for wellbeing, energy levels and getting through perimenopause anyway, so even if it doesn’t result in a baby, there’s nothing to lose.

TCM - traditional Chinese medicine is another thing that can improve your chances. There are many outrageously expensive programs available and I have been on one, but since I don’t have any serious problems (except age) I quickly figured out how to use the TCM herbs myself. However, in the cycle our LO was conceived we have done nothing special. In the end she came to as when she was ready and we only helped a bit by living healthy.

I would absolutely love another child but we never managed to conceive number 2 (IVF just wasn’t for us) and now I’ve accepted at age 45 that it’s not gonna happen for us. That’s not to say it won’t happen for you! It’s not just not being able to conceive, we’ve had a lot of changes to our family circumstances including the loss of my mother and my heart couldn’t really face bringing a child into the world that would never know her and she would never know them.
I think having a baby at this age, and a five year old at age 50, and looking after a teenager in my sixties would be incredibly tiring plus I’d be worried I wouldn’t be there for them as a young adult.
I also had pre eclampsia with my first so any pregnancy would be high risk. I don’t think I could take that risk now, with my age as well, when I have a wonderful ten year old to think of.
This is just my take on it. None of this means it’s wrong for you, but these are things you need to take into account.

Think about it carefully because ivf as
46 is going to be brutal. Emotionally brutal

Tagging my message in case you don't see it. @Thebirdsang

IMO no. I'm currently 30w pregnant at 45yo. I will be nearly 46 when I deliver.

This is my third child and second IVF baby. I couldn't have my first baby until I was 36yo.

I would do IVF with genetic screening and the NIPT to hopefully avoid any serious defects with the baby. It does help that your partner is younger. First step is a sperm analysis though. Without good sperm, your chances diminish significantly, whether you are trying naturally, with IUI, or IVF. With IVF they can improve the sperm but only so much.

I would get onto this pronto though, you don't have time to waste.

Reply to me if you want any further details. I have been through 7 rounds of IVF and 11 transfers to get my two children.

I’d say you are close to the point where it wouldn’t be responsible to have a child, but not quite there yet. By the time your 50s, it’s really getting too late and I’d be concerned about having dependent children as you approach 70.

However if this is something you really want, you’d actually be unreasonable to just start trying to conceive the normal way.

You need to see a fertility specialist as soon as possible (privately most likely if you’re in the UK). IVF is probably the only way you will conceive. You should also think about donor eggs, as you will have very low success rates doing IVF with your own eggs at 46.

What an inspirational post for older mothers of young babies. Congratulations 😁

I’m 47 and my youngest DC is two months old. It was a spontaneous and planned pregnancy but at that age it took us a long time to conceive and I had several miscarriages. I am also very fit, I train regularly and hike nearly every day with the little one in the carrier. I sailed through this pregnancy without any issues, had very easy uncomplicated birth and I am coping with lack of sleep quite well, but we (the whole family) have always been sporty and active.

The chances are that most of your eggs won't be viable but if you are prepared to go through possible miscarriage and higher risks - go for it. Similarly shouldering possible IVF costs.

And If you don't have it already then talk out health and life insurance now.

That's not meant in anyway to sound negative.

Im 45 and have a health condition that might get worse if I got pregnant (like a major organ might fail). It's not a risk I can take as I dont have the financial means for that scenario, nor would I want to put that on a partner (who I don't currently have).

Well it might be if there’s a miscarriage or a severe disability

If you can get pregnant without assistance then it definitely isn’t too old!

Exactly,yet there are posters who totally refuse to believe this🤔