Page 2 | To not take any conception now I’m 40

Zov · 30/05/2026 22:38

Mumstheword1983 · 30/05/2026 15:14

It's actually not. I had my last baby at 41. My twin cousins had their first babies at 43 and 44 and I currently have two friends pregnant at 42.

It's actually more common now. The average age increases all the time.

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It actually is.

Just because you had YOUR last baby at 41, the average age is still 33-34. And just because your twin cousins had their first at 43 and 44, the average for a first time mum is still 30. It may be a bit more common now to have a baby in your 40s, but women who do are still the exception rather than the rule.

Same message to @Meadowfinch You can come out with all the anecdata you like, but it doesn't change the factual national statistics.

Katemax82 · 30/05/2026 22:34

eastegg · 30/05/2026 19:58

Another one here in the same club! Best thing that ever happened to me. And actually I was 43 when I had him so he’ll only be in sixth form when I’m SIXTY.

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My 4th baby was born 2 months before my 43rd birthday. He's the most delightful boy

aWeeCornishPastie · 30/05/2026 22:32

Absolutely not am 46 and I still have to take contraception and still get periods

Katemax82 · 30/05/2026 22:30

I stopped taking the pill aged 41. We used an app to track my fertile periods and used condoms when I was. My son was born when I was 42
Edited to add we were avoiding the fertile times!! We were not trying to conceive

Pinkflamingo10 · 30/05/2026 22:22

Are you trying to conceive?
I got pregnant at 43 after trying for 2 months.

BambinaCucina · 30/05/2026 22:18

You'd be mad to do it, unless you're actively planning a pregnancy.

DanielRicciardosSmile · 30/05/2026 21:53

I mean, you do you, but I'm 51 and still using contraception.

DurinsBane · 30/05/2026 21:53

Rumplestiltz · 29/05/2026 22:41

Weird no one has mentioned that if she were to get pregnant (increasingly unlikely at 40) she could have an abortion? It doesn’t need to result in a baby.

Because abortion shouldn’t be used as a form of contraception…

MMAS · 30/05/2026 21:50

You are seriously misinformed. As a child of a parent who had me unwanted at 43 plus a sister aged 7, I would suggest you do your research on the impact on any other children you have. When my Mother died my 42 year old sister told me in no uncertain terms how much she had hated me all my life.

JoBrandsCleaner · 30/05/2026 21:48

Well I had a baby when I was 40. I’m 52 now and the doctor said I have to stay on the pill until i’m 55

Didimag48 · 30/05/2026 21:46

My father[s exgirlfriend had twins aged 42. Also, I worked as a physio in obstetrics/gynae - we had two women who had babies at 53 and 52 and another had her first after 27 years of mariage so....😊 your body, your choice.

Loulou4022 · 30/05/2026 20:44

I’m 46 and still on the pill as hubs and I definitely don’t want kids! You do realise women can fall pregnant into their 50’s???? If you’re still having periods you can get pregnant! 🤦🏻‍♀️

eastegg · 30/05/2026 19:58

TheFormidableMrsC · 30/05/2026 17:51

Same! I’m delighted to be honest, he’s a great kid!

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Another one here in the same club! Best thing that ever happened to me. And actually I was 43 when I had him so he’ll only be in sixth form when I’m SIXTY.

gardenflowergirl · 30/05/2026 19:00

Unless you are post menopause, i.e. not had a period for a year, you can still get pregnant.

eastegg · 30/05/2026 18:25

Congratulations on your decision to start a family. I hope that goes well for you. I had my second at 37 and third at 43 so you may well have plenty of time!

Meadowfinch · 30/05/2026 18:16

Zov · 30/05/2026 14:06

I agree. It is. To have a baby anyway. I know most women have their first baby at 42-43 on Mumsnet (and so does everyone in their 'social circle,') and then have another one in their mid 40s, and then one at 50!

But in the real world, the average age for a first time mum is 30 (in the UK.) Average age of the last baby is usually 33-34. In the real world women having babies in their 40s are the exception rather than the rule.

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No it really isn't.

My dgm - babies every 2 years from 22 to 44, obviously before the pill.
My dm, babies at 28, 30, 34, 38, 42, 44
Me, baby at 45 on one tube and half an ovary
Dsis1 - babies at 28, 34, 41
Dsis2 - babies at 24, 26, 41, 43
Dsis3, baby at 41
Dsis4, babies at 37, 39

Maternal cousins are the same.

@zov You may be from a family with short lived fertility but my family doesn't have any issue conceiving in our late 30s and 40s. For us it is normal. Most of us can get pregnant sitting on a warm cushion and it isn't funny, so we all double up on contraception, and don't stop taking it until periods have stopped for a year.

Ladygardenerinderby · 30/05/2026 18:16

Enjoy your pregnancy cos it’s probably gonna happen

AddictedToBooks · 30/05/2026 17:58

68days · 29/05/2026 19:23

I’m 40 in late July and have been talking about with dh not using condoms or any other form of conception anymore

I was classed as medically infertile - and I fell pregnant naturally at 47!

TheFormidableMrsC · 30/05/2026 17:51

Mumstheword1983 · 30/05/2026 17:34

Goodness me I will have an 18 year old at SIXTY. What will I do 🤣

And in my 70s hopefully my children won't be financially dependent on me considering they will be in their thirties.

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Same! I’m delighted to be honest, he’s a great kid!

TheFormidableMrsC · 30/05/2026 17:50

Jackiepumpkinhead · 30/05/2026 17:37

Honestly, the ignorance around women’s fertility is embarrassing. We don’t suddenly become infertile at 40. I’m 46, and if I was sexually active at present, I would not be taking any chances.

Quite, I found myself an accidental parent again at 42. No regrets at all but it’s absolute nonsense to think you won’t conceive after 40. I know plenty of people who have and sometimes the other side of 45 🤷🏻‍♀️

Jackiepumpkinhead · 30/05/2026 17:37

Honestly, the ignorance around women’s fertility is embarrassing. We don’t suddenly become infertile at 40. I’m 46, and if I was sexually active at present, I would not be taking any chances.

Mumstheword1983 · 30/05/2026 17:34

Zov · 30/05/2026 14:10

I don't need to 'check my maths.' Children are at school until they are 18, so many women having a baby at 42 would have a child still at at school, when they are SIXTY! They will be leaving soon sure, but many of these children will be financially dependent on their mother/parents until the parents are nearly 70. (Or older.) Call me picky, but my dream retirement plan is not having teenagers in my 60s, and them still living with me - and me supporting them til I am 70 or older.

.

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Goodness me I will have an 18 year old at SIXTY. What will I do 🤣

And in my 70s hopefully my children won't be financially dependent on me considering they will be in their thirties.

Iwillbemrsminty · 30/05/2026 17:19

44 year old me here with natural twins! I’m exhausted!! Brace yourself 🤣

Coffeeandbooks88 · 30/05/2026 16:14

Zov · 30/05/2026 14:10

I don't need to 'check my maths.' Children are at school until they are 18, so many women having a baby at 42 would have a child still at at school, when they are SIXTY! They will be leaving soon sure, but many of these children will be financially dependent on their mother/parents until the parents are nearly 70. (Or older.) Call me picky, but my dream retirement plan is not having teenagers in my 60s, and them still living with me - and me supporting them til I am 70 or older.

.

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Lucky you. Many women struggle to concieve and so it is either a baby at 40 or no baby.

IAmBeaIDrinkTea · 30/05/2026 15:24

68days · 29/05/2026 19:23

I’m 40 in late July and have been talking about with dh not using condoms or any other form of conception anymore

What are your reasons for not using any anymore? You're actively discussing trying for a baby then.
Or playing roulette, risking it.
Seeing if you get lucky or not.
As just because you're over 40 doesn't mean you still can't get pregnant. Ok, it's harder to, but still perfectly possible.
I'm late 40s and hopefully can't get pregnant again, but there's no way I'd be risking it 😁