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Conception

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What age do YOU personally think is too old for YOU to have a/more babies and why?

194 replies

Jaaxe · 19/01/2023 18:30

Just curious as to what age you’d stop having babies and why? How old would be too old for you and why? I’ve just had a baby and I thought I’d be done after this one but now im not so sure, it all seems pretty final to say im done but maybe I am….maybe it’s the hormones, I certainly don’t want another anytime soon or maybe even at all but then I wonder if I did decide im not done how old is too old :/ perhaps im just feeling like this as this one was meant to be my last one…

OP posts:
Knittingnanny2 · 19/01/2023 19:11

I had my third and last at 35
I met my new husband when I was 48 and did have a few times when I did a pregnancy test when my period was a bit late ( in hindsight I was probably starting the menopause and having irregular periods) although we were using contraceptives as no plans to add to our joint family!
Although a baby would have been thoroughly loved as much as the others, I’m so glad we didn’t have one - I’m exhausted after a day of grandchild care, so goodness knows how we’d be coping with a teenager in our late 60’s!
I could have coped with the baby and young child lifestyle in my late 40’s/early 50’s but nothing full time once I’d passed early 60’s so it’s a long term question really in my opinion

Moonriver79 · 19/01/2023 19:09

At any age that my body will allow! - currently aged 45 with 2DC’s and ttc for the last 18 months

Fairydustandsparklylights · 19/01/2023 19:09

35/36 would be my absolute max.

MintJulia · 19/01/2023 19:06

I had ds at 45+2. When his dad asked if we should try to give ds a sibling, I wanted to laugh. 😀 I was definitely all done.

Twoinapod · 19/01/2023 19:05

For me personally it’s 35, once I’ve got to 35 I won’t have anymore.

Workawayxx · 19/01/2023 19:04

If I hadn’t been in a position to have any children, I don’t think I’d have a cut off (although wouldnt do ivf at 60 or anything and would probably stop trying after multiple age related miscarriages).

as it was I had my second at 41 and am happy with 2. I’m 43 and if we won the lottery and Dp really wanted another (he only has 1), I’d consider trying up to maybe 44/45.

sunshineandshowers40 · 19/01/2023 19:04

I am mid 40's and do not want anymore. I had my last baby at 34 and was done then.

WaddleAway · 19/01/2023 19:01

I’m 38 and feel too old to have any more. However I’ve had 3 and am done regardless. If I hadn’t had any yet, I’m sure my limit would be far older.
My cousin had her first at 22 and her second at 45 🤷🏻‍♀️.

jadedspark · 19/01/2023 19:01

35 if we're just talking being ready to go but just waiting until the time's right. But if I hadn't met someone yet or had fertility issues etc. then I don't think I would put a limit on it tbh.

PurBal · 19/01/2023 19:01

In theory 40. But currently pregnant with DC2 aged 32 and I’m exhausted. I’m not doing this again. That said we planned to have 2, it happens we will have 2 under 2. If the was DC1 and we planned an age gap then still 40. But this is how life has turned out for us. Raising a toddler, working full time and growing a human is exhausting.

ArseInTheDogBowl · 19/01/2023 19:00

Done at 26, after having my second. Mid 30s now, I wouldn't want to go back to the baby stage.

Vinylloving · 19/01/2023 18:59

Just to add I find this so fascinating, especially that so many people would have a baby in their 50s if it happened unplanned. I don't think, no I'm sure I couldn't and wouldn't do it. I am always tired already!

Bessica1970 · 19/01/2023 18:57

I had my youngest at 40, now 52 and often have dreams about being pregnant.
we wouldn’t have tried for another after the last because of the toll on my body (I have to stop my regular medication when I’m pregnant), but if not for that we would welcome another at any age we could naturally have one.

Keepfocused · 19/01/2023 18:57

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DillDanding · 19/01/2023 18:55

It was 35 for me. That’s when I made suggested my husband had a vasectomy.

SusanPerbCallMeSue · 19/01/2023 18:55

I'm 46 and my youngest is 15, so no thank you! I did get broody a couple of years ago when a friend had a very cute baby. I think that was my body giving me a final chance, before menopause. But no chance, my DP has had a vasectomy, and I really wouldn't want to go back to nappies and sleepless nights - I bloody love sleeping!

Mincespi · 19/01/2023 18:54

30 was the limit for me. I wanted to spend my 40’s on my career, and at 50 having adult children. I’m early 40’s now and knackered with teens, I can’t imagine going to soft play and having disturbed nights. Famous last words!

Karmagoat · 19/01/2023 18:54

I had my first at 23 and my second at 31. I’m 47 now and personally if I got pregnant now there is absolutely no way I would go through with it.

Vinylloving · 19/01/2023 18:52

I'm 38 and for me too old. I don't want to be parenting teens in my late 50s, and as much as I love DC, I'm glad I'll be 50 roughly when they are 18 and can hopefully look forward to relative freedom in my 50s !

TerfOnATrain · 19/01/2023 18:52

32 for me. I’d had two by 31 and that was enough. In 1997 that felt quite old.

Tapitandunwrapit · 19/01/2023 18:51

It’s a personal choice! I had my first at 32 and last at 40 and I would have had more if I could. My friend had her one and only at 44. I personally wasn’t ready in my 20s but my friends who had kids then were horrified at the thought of having a baby in their 40s. I think once you’re out of baby mode/baby mind you are done. If I wanted a baby, I’d keep going until my body said no! Everyone’s experience is different and if you want one and can try, why not. Positive thoughts to anyone TTC, especially after a loss. It’s all encompassing.

Dacadactyl · 19/01/2023 18:50

30 would've been my upper limit for a planned child. I am 37 currently and had my children when I was 21 and 26.

If I got pregnant again accidentally, I would have a baby at any age, even into my 50s.

Favouritefruits · 19/01/2023 18:49

early 40s would be my cut off, I don’t want to do the school run and sit around in soft plays in my 50s I want to sunbathe on a beach!

LaFemmeDamnee · 19/01/2023 18:48

I was 35 when I had my second and in myself I felt that was pushing it really. I'm 41 now and knackered, I wish I'd been able to have them a bit younger but it didn't work out that way.

Nutrigrainygoodness · 19/01/2023 18:48

I have always said I wouldn't have a baby after 30. I don't know why, I'm 31 now and am completely sure I have made the right decision. l was one and done.
I love the life I have now and a baby would ruin that. The chances of me getting pregnant are precisely 0 so I'm all good.