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MNHQ

Average age of first-time mothers is now 30 - how old were you?

540 replies

KateMumsnet · 17/07/2014 10:57

Hello all

Research published yesterday shows that the average British woman is now having her first child at the age of 30 - and we wondered whether this matches MNers' own experiences. So do share your thoughts - are you bang on average, or under, or over? Does it matter - and would you make the same decision again, given the chance?

OP posts:
Eastpoint · 18/07/2014 13:06

30 & 1 month (2 wks late). Was planned & we were married.

paddlenorapaddle · 18/07/2014 13:02

36

steppemum · 18/07/2014 13:02

35
would have liked to start a couple of years earlier, but only met dh at 32!

LotsaTuddles · 18/07/2014 12:52

Had DS nearlya year ago, I was 22 nearly 23 .

Was married, owned own home and both DH and I had good jobs, incidentally, DH got a pay rise just before I was due to go back to work so we decided that we'd try me being a SAHM, glad we did nite because I love being with DS all day and we're expecting DC2 on boxing day (I'll be 24 by then)

RabidFairy · 18/07/2014 12:34

Had DD 5 years ago this month and I was 23, almost 24.

But I brought my motherhood plans forward when my mums health worsened dramatically the year before. I had always intended to start trying for a baby at 25 (same age as my mum was when she had me in '85) and as it happened I had DS at 26.

LittleBallOfFur · 18/07/2014 12:28

27

Second this year aged 30 (almost 31)

ReallyFuckingFedUp · 18/07/2014 12:27

started trying at 24. Baby arrived at 27. Was practically geriatric compared to everyone else in my area!

Ginfox · 18/07/2014 12:22
  1. Took us 2yrs of TTC, so would've preferred a bit earlier. But didn't meet my DH until I was 31, so couldn't have started much younger even if I'd wanted to.
hugoagogo · 18/07/2014 11:47

26 which felt late at the time, but now seems exactly right for us.

I am so glad that we did it when we did.

Down side is that my career has suffered, but I suppose that's more down to my choice not to carry on working full time.

amyjayde · 18/07/2014 11:46

20 (yes it was planned and yes everything's worked out great Grin)

wigglylines · 18/07/2014 11:40

34 and 38. I couldn't have done it any earlier as I didn't get together with DP till I was 33!

Jamdoughnutfiend · 18/07/2014 11:31

32 and 34 - right time for me - DH would have probably waited a few more years (younger) but we both agree that it has been good for us

Middleagedmotheroftwo · 18/07/2014 11:12

I was 34 and 36.

Has anyone collated all the responses on here to work out whether the averge MN age is the same as the average age nationally?

smugmumofboys · 18/07/2014 11:05

33 and 35.

puds11isNAUGHTYnotNAICE · 18/07/2014 10:27
  1. Went on to get a first class honours and an MSc. That was a big 'fuck you' to all the people who said I was ruining my life by having a baby young! It doesn't matter what age you are, people can be shit parents young or old!

I wouldn't change a thing about it. Having my DD before I had a career means I got to spend her first 2 years with her full-time. I will never regret that.

fififolle · 18/07/2014 10:20

I was 32.5 when DS was born and would have liked a 3 year age gap, however DH (only child) took a bit more persuasion so we've just started trying for #2 who will hopefully arrive when I'm 37.5.

pommedeterre · 18/07/2014 10:11

29 and a half.

It was a good age. Could have waited until things were a bit more 'perfect' as most of my peers did but feel now am reaping the benefits as we are fitting in a dc3 which dh wouldn't have done had we been older!

Lweji · 18/07/2014 09:57

But the little so and so took two years to conceive. :)

Lweji · 18/07/2014 09:56

Bang on 33.

joosiewoosie · 18/07/2014 09:56

And now expecting again at 41.
I love being a mum!

goats · 18/07/2014 09:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Heartsandspades · 18/07/2014 09:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LoveVintage · 18/07/2014 09:27

36 and then 38. My age was never mentioned. No regrets as was the right time with the right man, but I do think if I had started earlier I might have had one or two more.

TheXxed · 18/07/2014 09:17

23 jules2 you don't need to justify your choices by putting down others.

IpsyUpsyDaisyDo · 18/07/2014 08:28

I was an 'elderly primip' at 38 Grin
Married for 10 years when DD arrived after a bit of trouble... lucky enough to be able to move into a nice house in a nice area, having done a lot of travelling & working abroad.

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