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

I was 27, the same age as my mother and grandmother when they became mothers for the first time.

I was 30 (then 33, and now expecting DC3 at 36).

18. Not planned but the single best thing that ever happened to me. He gave me focus, drive, determination and premature wrinkles . He is the apple of my eye and I wouldn't change a thing.

38 ha ha . Thought he was early menopause !

Never wanted kids but my lovely surprise is a chubby 5 month old sitting on my lap :-)

33

One month before my 37th birthday (quickly followed by two others at 38 and 41). Our parents generation were very young when they had children, we're just becoming more traditional in waiting until our 30s and 40s (My grandmothers were 30 and 37 when they had my parents, my Mum was 24 when she had me). Apart from a couple of old school friends all my friends have had children in their 30s and 40s. I met up with friends last weekend and 3/4 of us had children born when we were in our 40s.

I wouldn't have wanted to have kids younger, I spent most of my 20s in education and needed to grow up and work a bit before we could consider kids. Plus, considering we spend £1K on childcare a month, I wouldn't fancy having to do that on the kind of salary you get in your 20s.

It was right for me.

29. It felt like a fairly average age to have my first. I was part of a 'second wave' among my friends - a couple had had them earlier than us, most came later though. I was the youngest by a couple of years in my antenatal group, which I was surprised by.

20, not planned but don't regret a thing.

he's starting school after the summer and I'm going back to college.

27 (married, degree done, in decent job, with mortgage etc...still later than I'd hoped!)

23 (I'm 24 next month). She was a surprise and ideally I would have wanted to wait until late 20's but she's amazing and I'm so happy

I was two weeks off 27

I was 19 when I had our first, a surprise but I was in a good relationship. No regrets about being a young mum.

I'm 26 now and we're married with another three DCs and I'm getting my degree. I'm glad I didn't wait till 30 as then my mum wouldn't have met her grandchildren which I would have regretted.

I hate the assumption that young mum = stupid or doing it for benefits. I was always good at school which is why I'm working like mad to get my degree. I like being young enough to enjoy my DCs and when they're all grown I'll still be young enough to travel if I want.

First time with living baby at the end of it 19.

23 and wouldn't change a thing

19 then I went to university. I had 3 DC and my degree by the time I was a 30 and now really enjoying my 40's. In fact just back from being taken to lunch by my 25 year old DS1.

32 and 34.

23 and 25 - they're 6 and nearly 8 now. Absolutely no regrets - I have a degree and still completed the Bar Vocational Course whilst pregnant with the second. I like to think that barring accidents, we will have a footloose and fancy free middle age. After all, by the time my youngest is 18, I will only be 43... My partner's the same age as me and he was brilliant throughout - even taking control of the colander of doom with the birthing pool with our second! Still just as hands on now :)

StealthPolarBear, yes that sounds right for 2012. The stats this time (currently being reported) are for 2013. Oly4 linked to the 2013 stats above.

Was wondering whether the 30 number which all the papers are reporting is actually average for all births, not first time mums.

I was 25 (& had three more in the next ten years). DH & had had both graduated, been married for a couple of years, jobs established & had bought a house. We knew we'd like a biggish family & it turns out I had very complicated pregnancies - if we'd waited longer I doubt we'd have had more than two (or even one).

Actually 43. 42 when conceived though.

42

27 and I'm about to have number 2 at 29. Older than my friends and SiLs but DS took a while - wed been married 5 years before we had him.

34 for DC1, 36 for DC2. I probably would have started a couple of years earlier but DH wanted to do the traditional engagement & wedding stuff first