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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:
missorinoco · 17/07/2014 21:48

I had always planned to have my children before I was thirty but wasn't in a position to have them.

I have no regrets about when I had them. I feel like I have done my travelling and share of meals out etc. I did raise my eyebrows about being an elderly mother with the third child.

bringonyourwreckingball · 17/07/2014 21:44

I was dead on average. 6 wks pregnant on my 30th

Figster · 17/07/2014 21:44

30

So cliche Grin

Mumof3xox · 17/07/2014 21:43

20

Feels a lifetime ago (he's only 6!)

onedogatoddlerandababy · 17/07/2014 21:43

Not that I mean there isn't plenty of time or you shouldn't after 40 Blush just no more for me!

AugustaProdworthy · 17/07/2014 21:42

35
Not through choice or career or money though.

onedogatoddlerandababy · 17/07/2014 21:41

38 and 40.

Not one midwife or doctor mentioned my age at all. I did ask the gp about it when I found out I was pregnant the first time but she just looked Confused at me.

And after dd2 was born, the midwives were all, oh you're only 40, plenty of time for a dd3. I think not Grin

spanky2 · 17/07/2014 21:41

31, born ten days after my birthday.
34.
Definitely felt old recovering after birth with second.

TheWholeOfTheSpoon · 17/07/2014 21:40
  1. Had had all 4 by 30. DH was only 21. Hasn't stopped us doing anything tbh, although where we live we are regarded as v young for parents of DC1. I'm 10 years younger than any of DC1's friends' mums.
LOLeater · 17/07/2014 21:38

Ditto Sunny. 32 and 2nd at 34. Wasn't ready before.

sunnyrosegarden · 17/07/2014 21:37
  1. Perfect for me - married good career, friends all having children at the same time.
chickydoo · 17/07/2014 21:33

28

RubyFlint · 17/07/2014 21:33

40 nearly 41

Wish I had been younger but didn't meet anyone I wanted a baby with until then. I'd have loved more than one child but sadly it wasn't to be 'at my time of life' Grin

SocialMediaAddict · 17/07/2014 21:27

28

CSJ · 17/07/2014 21:22

18 with first, 25 for 2nd and 29 for the 3rd and final one

AnneElliott · 17/07/2014 21:20

27

StarsforAngels · 17/07/2014 21:07

28 thought it would solve my problems.. It hasn't but DS is gorgeous

blueberrycupcake · 17/07/2014 21:00

I was 30. I was the first of my uni friends to have a baby.

miffybun73 · 17/07/2014 20:56

34 and 3 quarters :)

jaffajiffy · 17/07/2014 20:51

39 after infertility and miscarriages. Started TTC at 35. Would have been happy with 35 and very happy with 39.

TerrifiedMothertobe · 17/07/2014 20:45

33 when I had first. I could have left it years and years. I as very happy with my lot, husband, career, lifestyle were all fab. But. We felt that if we didn't have them Soon, we would never bother and in later life we would regret it.

I adore my boys, but I have never been a desperately maternal, nurturing type.

There is never a right, or a wrong time to have a child, just what's right for you.

TheScottishPlay · 17/07/2014 20:34

31

Charlysboy1 · 17/07/2014 20:33

33! And I'm so glad I waited, I have enjoyed my own youth having the luxury of time and money all to myself. I also have more life experience and wisdom which can only enrich my sons life as well as my own parenting experience.

DearTeddyRobinson · 17/07/2014 20:32

Yikes I'm raising the average Blush I was 37 (just, it was 3 weeks before my 38th birthday). I'm 39 now and hoping to try for no. 2 soon!

ChickenFajitaAndNachos · 17/07/2014 20:27

Moggie they may have 40 or 50 years with you.

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