How old is too old?

I decided if no 2nd child by 30 I would not have more. I didn't want to have teenagers into middle age. Also as others have said, birth defects increase with age (and even more with paternal age, and he was older than me) so that was something I tried to head off.

I wanted to get to mid 50s/60s with independent adult children and to have a good amount of time with my grandchildren. Also to maximise my energy and have a good, active life unencumbered by heavy parental responsibilities.

Whatever age a person chooses.

As someone who is 45 with kids ranging from nearly 7 to 14 i personally think starting having kids in your both in your mid 40s is unfair. However my dh is 8.5 year's older than me but dc3 wasnt planned. He was 47 when he was born and worried about his age. We have had conversation were i have reminded him that we owe it to our kids (particularly our youngest) to stay fit and active. I am naturally a busy person and work out 4 times a week plus walk miles but he has slowed down a bit.

Also I thought he would be the oldest dad in the playground for our youngest but he isnt. Quite a few are older and some of the mums are older than me which surprised me. Kids dont seem to get bullied for having older parents know as it's quite common now. I still wouldn't have anymore though as we are to old to start having babies and chasing toddlers.

My limit was 30, because my older parents both died before I was 24, so I wanted to do all I could to reduce the chances of that happening to my kids.
I have friends now who are mid 40’s with toddlers, and it’s all fine but it wouldn't be for me. I keep telling the DC i dont want to be an old granny!

35 is my cut off. Being an older mum puts me off.

Had my first at 19, unplanned! Last at 41, 2 miscarriages, then the menopause started at 42. Wasn't expecting that. Was told at 40, there was a 1/20% risk of Downs and other disabilities, growing fast with every year. I was told by GP I must use contraceptives till age 50, or a year period free. Last was easiest pregnancy and birth. I was back at work when she was 3 months old. She was my 4th. Interestingly, she said she wouldn't have children after 30,has just had her second at 34.

I think this is very area dependant as im the complete opposite where I live

I had my first at 22, second at 33 and last at 40. I fell pregnant first month of trying for each.

All pregnancies were hell on earth as I suffer from HG from the moment you can take a test until birth, hence the age gaps, but there was no real difference. If anything the pregnancy at 40 was easier as I was 10 stone lighter than I was age 22.

If I’d had easier pregnancies I would have had them all in my 20s though, but I wouldn’t have coped with a very young child and being constantly sick or in hospital all the time on rehydration drips and all the drugs that just seem to make me feel worse.

I know way more women who have had babies in their forties than twenties. It does tend to be early forties though, obviously, and it might take a miscarriage or two to get there.

Id say 38

There's quite a bit of evidence that having many pregnancies extends the fertility window - PPs have explained about oocyte sparing, although this may not be the only reason.

There's also evidence that having a child in later life increases a woman's lifespan!

Some reports claim that more women in 'developed countries' are now having children in their 40s than women in their 20s. The data look a little shonky to me, but there's no doubt that age at first childbirth has increased significantly.

The risk of abnormality goes up pretty fast with age, though, and the father's age also increases this risk.

I had 3 at 36, 38 and 42. I adore them and wouldn’t change it for the world. I am knackered at the end of the day, but most working mums are!

Well for me personally I said no more kids after 30. Which was very easy to say, as I had 4 kids by then.

I was so desperate for children though that I genuinely think, if it hadn't happened for me, I would have continued to try as long as I was having periods... though my mum was still having regular monthly periods at 58 (they stopped quite suddenly in the space of 18 months), and I assume she couldn't have got pregnant then.

Tons of threads about this. Depends on the individual I would suppose.

I am 42 with a 19 and 16 year old. For me the thought of a baby at this age makes me want to flick my eyes out with a spoon!
Had I not had my children young ish maybe I would feel differently but I can safely say almost 20 years of parenting has taken it out of me, I absolutely would not want to be dealing with teenagers in my 50's/60's.

Too old is when your body can no longer naturally conceive.

That age is different for everyone.

35 would be my cut of.

I'm nearly 39 and don't feel done but for a myriad of reasons I have to be. If money and the rest were no concern I'd be happy trying up to about 47 and wouldn't forsee issues but beyond 50ish I would be concerned about my fertility based on family menopause ages etc

I’m 36 and child-free, and we’re not in a position to start TTC until I’m almost 38. I’m sure some people think that’s far too late, but it’s about average for my social circle.

I haven’t really thought about a cut-off, I guess somewhere around 46/47, but only if using younger eggs (I froze my eggs a few years ago).

Unfortunately in my family it is true. Which is why I always said I wouldn't risk having a baby at 40+. Though I was 36 I obviously didn't get lucky as it's extremely likely my DS will be diagnosed with autism. Sorry if I came across shitty to you, I just couldn't understand why you thought I'd be lying. Though I suppose with some of the things you see on threads on here I can't really blame you 😂 though the genes are shit in that way, at least we all have the gene that keeps you looking younger than you are, better than nothing I suppose 😅

I think you have some unfortunate genes in your family.

The stats you are giving are far out of the realms of what would be expected looking at such a small cohort.

Sorry if what you are saying is true as its really sad, but this is not to much to do with age as other factors.

A vast majority of childten born to parents in their late thirties and forties will be healthy.

Well I’m 36 and still trying. My mum had me at 43 so I think that’s my stop age. My mums healthy in her late 70s.

I had my youngest, naturally, at 42, and while I absolutely can't deny being more tired than before, I now have a wonderful nearly 22 year old who is a joy in every way. I'm very thankful that we were very lucky, with no SEN or other issues at all. Completely aware this is not everyone's experience in these circumstances.

Also @AutumnAllTheWay my aunt from that side of the family also had a child at 44 who is severely mentally ill. Of the 4 of my nans 2 had profound deafness and 2 had severe mental illness so not sure why you think my post is a lie because it's all true. My dad was her last child at 46

Had my last at 42...4th DC . He's now 17 ...I'm heading to 60 but I will say I don't feel, act or look 60. Does he keep me young, yes he does, he's often shares music he's into with me & what him & his mates get up to ( censored version I'm sure) We actually have an amazing relationship probably closest out of all my kids. He's off on an adventure soon....I will miss him 😢