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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:
FavaBeanPyramidScheme · 17/07/2014 15:52

33

I'm happy to have waited until my 30s, because despite swearing it would change nothing, having a child is definitely hampering our travel and career plans. I've done enough on those fronts in my 20s to not mind having a few years off Grin.

BeatriceBean · 17/07/2014 15:51

29 and 32. Im older than most mums in the area!

I certainly wouldn't have wanted them really young, and hope my daughters don't. I was probably ready about 25/26

tammytwigg · 17/07/2014 15:50

34 and 39 just the way life goes both ivf ,2 out of 3 goes worked feel so so lucky .

MotherOfInsomniacToddlers · 17/07/2014 15:44

25 and 26

StealthPolarBear · 17/07/2014 15:42

The ons stats show that the avergae age for all births was 29.8. First births was 28.1. Based on 2012 births.

HalloumiToastie · 17/07/2014 15:38
  1. Wouldn't change a thing.
MissHC · 17/07/2014 15:38

I had DD 2 days before my 27th birthday. She's 7 months now. At nursery I'm one of the youngest mums, I think in my local area the average age must be at least 32.

dancestomyowntune · 17/07/2014 15:35

I was 18, dp (now dh) was 21. 12 years on and we are ttc no. 5. No regrets.

keeponjuggling · 17/07/2014 15:33

29 very nearly 30. In some ways I wish I'd started a little earlier! We kept waiting to be financially ready - which doesn't seem to exist.

ilovemonstersInc · 17/07/2014 15:31

Another reason im happy with the age I started was ds1has a lot of sn. I will hhopefully still have the energy to run around him when hes older too.

TheWiseOldElf · 17/07/2014 15:29

28

ilovemonstersInc · 17/07/2014 15:28

I was 18. In a loving relationship. No regrets.

We are on no.3 and im 22. I liked the idea of 'growing up' with my kids.

momofmonster · 17/07/2014 15:27

i was 25 which apparently was the average age of a first time mom at that time.

berkotopsy · 17/07/2014 15:20

Actually I think all of my friends had their babies over 30, and most of them were mid thirties.

berkotopsy · 17/07/2014 15:19

Yes, the elderly prima gravida was a bit disconcerting... I was 37, and 41. Would have liked to have had them maybe 5 years earlier, but happy I have them now :) I'd imagine I would have had a bit more energy if I was younger, but don't in any way consider myself an 'old' mum

misstiredbuthappy · 17/07/2014 15:16

18 Shock

EstellaSpitsEmOut · 17/07/2014 15:14

32 and perfect age for me. Hoping to have baby 2 at 35/36 if it all works out. Fingers crossed!

fusspot66 · 17/07/2014 15:12

40 then 43 & 11months.
Just a late starter but got my 2 v easily.

Needaninsight · 17/07/2014 15:09

38 with the first, and 39 with my second.

I never had any comments about being too old. In fact, I was the one bringing it up and the midwifes just looked Confused and said loads of women in their 40's have babies now, so 30 something wasn't old.

Perfect age imo. Had a blast in my 20's, lots of immature fun. No regrets, and I won't get to 40 and start feeling old. I'll have two under two to entertain me instead :D

Wixi · 17/07/2014 15:09

I was 40, long time married and settled in our jobs

Muskey · 17/07/2014 15:08

Two weeks short of my 39th birthday

yomellamoHelly · 17/07/2014 15:04

32 first time. Then 35. Then 38.

Got a lecture off GP first time round for leaving it so late and got told I would be classed as a geriatric mother.

All my ante-natal group were the same age (ish) as me.

dinkystinky · 17/07/2014 15:03

29 with first, 32 with second, 36 with third

Ludways · 17/07/2014 14:56

I was 34. I'm super happy I waited, I'm a better mother than I'd have been if I'd had them younger, I'd had a great young life with lots of travel. Being older worked for me.

If I'm half the mother my own mother was, then I'm doing fantastic. She was 18 when she had my sis and 23 when she had me. I'm definitely not an old bird who complains about young mums, I adore mine.

millysell · 17/07/2014 14:49
  1. So a bit above average ... but in the Netherlands (currently living) they seem to think I'm a young Mum.
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