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

Seems like there aren't many of us geriatric first timer here.

36 when I had DD.
39 when my second is due this September.

I wish I could have been 3 to 5 years younger but you can't go through life regretting things, can we. I am happy where I am now.

27
I was the youngest parent at pre-school but one of the eldest now we've moved!
I'd like to have started earlier as DH is older and struggles with tiredness more now.

40

Didn't they say the same last year?

Would I make the same decision? You make it sound like there was any choice. I was in a dead beat relationship (was ok to start with) which took a lot of getting out of (Selling house etc) and so I was very lucky to then go on and have children with someone who wanted them too. I would have had them slightly earlier had it not been for the infertility issues I subsequently found out I had. Funnily enough being in a relationship with someone who was very non-committal about kids meant that I never got the opportunity to test my fertility out.

"I wouldn't expect MN users to match the research, though... The research shows that first time mothers NOW are averaging 30, whereas MN is full of mothers who had their kids x years ago when the average age of first time mothers was younger, iyswim. The age of MN users with pfb under 1 year old would be a fair comparison."

oh yes - and this ^ is a very good point. My son is three, what were the stats like then?

27 with DC1 and i will be 29 with DC2.

Ds1 - 30
Ds2 - 35 (36 2 weeks after I had him)
Mc in between

29

I had a failed pregnancy at 34, cancer at 35, and a baby at 40.
My DD was planned, naturally conceived within 3 months of trying, and very healthy. I had some issues during pregnancy, related to my earlier illness rather than age.

It was just right for me. Not sure I am done yet - we're not trying, but we're not 'not trying'. :)

30

38 with DS and almost 41 with DD. Tired, but happy!

20 and 22..

My dc were planned and me and dh were at the right stage in our lives to have children, although I know I was judged a lot, and probably still am!

30 but ttc three years before that.

I was 28 and I suppose I regret not having another year with just me and DH after we got married, but I'm saying that with the benefit of hindsight that I was lucky to get pregnant easily. You never know how long it will take. Currently expecting Dc2 at 31. Feel more "ready" for this one.

28! Exactly

I was 30 - think that was slightly above average at the time (two years ago). It was the right time for me, although if circumstances had been different (eg if dh hadn't been ready, or I had met him - or whoever "the one" turned out to be - later, etc) it could easily have been later

26 but so many years ago, I'm sure I was average then.

38

37
Would have preferred to be younger but the relationships weren't right and that was way more important thqn age

22

40

Am currently a bit overdue but will be 26 still when it's born.

Me and my partner have been together for 5 years, have degrees, good jobs and are financially secure but have still had a few raised eyebrows from others about my age (he is older).

28. Perfect for me. I don't think it's the age though, it's where you are with life. I met my future husband at 23, engaged at 26, married at 27 then first baby at 28.

31 - she's 9 now. But it took years to conceive her. I then went on to have a baby at 33 and 36.

30. Bang on the right age for us. Though dh is younger!!

25 - she was born five and a half weeks ago. Round here, I feel old for having my first! I'm the first of my friends though, and none of them are likely to have kids within the next five years. I'm pleased we didn't wait any longer.

20. I'm 23 now and have 2.

Hate that I get judged for being young. DP and I are still together, he has a great paying job, I work part time. Nice house, nice car, don't claim benefits. (Not that there is anything wrong with claiming benefits, but it's the 'young mum stereotype')