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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

Original poster

What age would you consider "old" to be TTC#1

55 replies

SpringWater1571 · 03/12/2017 20:16

Posting because I'm anxious and paranoid about my age and TTC. I keep seeing commend where people have referred to ages and saying "later in life" etc and things like that. What age would you consider old/older for TTC#1?

OP posts:
Chattycat78 · 04/12/2017 14:36

How old are you OP?

As the poster above says, you can have fertility tests which will tell you if you have lots of eggs left or not. If not, you can assume you’re someone who can’t leave it too long (although no one can give you a definitive time frame based on these tests).

JaneWonder · 04/12/2017 14:35

After 35 your fertility starts to decline.

I had my third aged 35 and was shocked how steeply my chances of Down Syndrome had increased just by virtue of my age.

So biologically I would say that after 35 it get more complicated but that doesn’t mean it will definitely be complicated.

A first baby after age 42 seems quite unusual to me. But again no reason not to try.

rabbitsdontlayeggs · 04/12/2017 14:35

I started TTC for my DD at 30 and was told frequently that I 'was leaving it a bit late'! At bloody 30!

Biologically speaking I'd say 35+, but really lots of mums start their families at 40+. Not for me but each to their own - you can only make a huge life changing decision like TTC based on your own circumstances and feelings not what other people think. It's just worth being mindful of things like declining fertility and increased risk as we age etc.

PolentaDream · 04/12/2017 14:32

It's really down to the individual. The only answers you can possibly get here are other women's anecdotes which tells you nothing about yourself.

Go to see a fertility specialist who can run some tests on you to see where you stand.

Chattycat78 · 04/12/2017 14:29

Late thirties i would say. Mid thirties is Fairly average nowadays to have a baby. You’re def pushing it after 40- yes some people can conceive after 40 but not everyone can. It depends on your individual biological clock sadly.

EivissaSenorita · 04/12/2017 09:35

I think it depends on your frame of reference. I had all my DC in my 20s so being honest I consider from 35 to be old. But I also look to the future and imagine helping with elderly parents while having young children and a job to juggle and it would all seem impossible.

BarbieBrightSide · 04/12/2017 09:20

Before I had children I thought 35 was too old. I conceived my youngest at 40. I still get broody at 48, but given how long it took to conceive the youngest (3 years of actively trying) I know we won't be having any more.

In my head I don't think 48 is too old to have a baby, but I'm not sure how I'd feel about having a 12 year old at age 60 IYSWIM.

Bonlenes · 04/12/2017 09:13

I was 33 when I had my first, 35 when I will have my second and hoping to have a couple more if all goes well.
My colleague had her first at 44, 16 years ago so for 2017, am gonna go with maybe 46.

elQuintoConyo · 04/12/2017 08:53

A close friend had twin boys a month before her 50th. They are 5.5yo now and she looks fantastic, the boys are fantastic, the dad is fantastic.

So, i'm going to class 51 as too old ttc.

Karigan1 · 04/12/2017 08:50

Um I’m just 40 and SO has just decided he wants a baby. I thought about it and googled a lot. Right now there is a 55 to 60 per cent chance we will be able to conceive in a year. Every year older however that percentage dramatically drops and risks are higher. We’re going for it but ideally I wouldn’t want to be over 35.

PrimeraVez · 04/12/2017 04:43

I would say 40+, but I think that once I hit 36+, I would be very aware that the clock was ticking.

Orangebird69 · 04/12/2017 00:00

I started ttc at 38. 13 months until I got my bfp. Had ds at 40. There's other mums in my baby group older than me. Go for it.

Oysterbabe · 03/12/2017 23:56

I think about 38 too.

Christmascardqueen · 03/12/2017 21:46

obstetrically speaking an older primip (first time pregnancy) is 35 now, a few decades ago (when many dr's and midwives trained) it was 26.

SoozC · 03/12/2017 21:41

I like to say 40+, as I'm 36 ttc #1. I don't consider myself 'old' in ttc terms. I know plenty of people who've had kids in their mid- to late-30s.

DonkeyPunch88 · 03/12/2017 20:47

Anything over 40 I think. I know it's perfectly possible but I think the risk of health issues for both Mum and baby get pretty high once you cross into the forty mark.

tappitytaptap · 03/12/2017 20:42

Hmm late 30s I think (privately of course!) that the person is a bit older if TTC #1. I had my first at 31 and currently TTC #2 at 33, I really didn't want babies after 35. If you only get chance to when you're 'older' though, I'd still go for it. Absolutely the best thing I have done having DS.

Mayhemmumma · 03/12/2017 20:35

Over 38 seems old to me but out loud I'd day 40 plus.

TribbleToilandTrouble · 03/12/2017 20:35

Hmmm 50 plus.

OurNextAdventure · 03/12/2017 20:33

35+ (sadly, as I myself am 34 and TTC #1).

TheCrowRd · 03/12/2017 20:26

35

hungryradish · 03/12/2017 20:24

I would say 45+

Battyoldbat · 03/12/2017 20:20

I’d say late thirties but I’m probably biased as I’m currently going through menopause in my early forties so I’m very aware how quickly your fertility can decline. 🙁

Tinselistacky · 03/12/2017 20:20

I had a ds at 37 and one at 43. Ttc at 44 but mc at 8 weeks . 4 days before my 45th birthday Sad. Sadly accepted it's game over for us.

Fintons · 03/12/2017 20:19

Biologically I'd say 38+, socially I think having more kids after 45-50+ sounds v difficult. Unlikely to be a first at that age though.

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