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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:
InkleWinkle · 17/07/2014 11:11

I was 32. Was a good age for me.

Had next one at 38 though & really felt the difference pregnancy & energy-wise.

weatherall · 17/07/2014 11:09

22

Had graduated, travelled. My 20s were still fun and had great career progression (until recession).

I get really f off with the anti young mum rhetoric on here.

JuniperTisane · 17/07/2014 11:09
  1. I always said not before I'm 30, I'm not maternal at all and the thought of a child in my twenties filled me with dread. Thank goodness we waited. I'm a much better parent for being older and wiser.

I chose to have a child because I knew DH wanted them. I suspect had he not been fussed one way or the other, we would be childless even now.

ProbablyMe · 17/07/2014 11:09

21, I felt very young!! Now aged 39 11/12th my DP and I have decided to have another one!

HazleNutt · 17/07/2014 11:06
  1. Year or two earlier would have been ok too, but not more. Financially stable, good marriage and a DH who was also ready to be a dad. Stable career and a strong CV, so don't have to worry about unemployment. My sister had a baby at 19 and was struggling, trying to combine motherhood with the fun carefree life her friends were enjoying - but I had already done my travelling and partying, I don't even want to do most things you can't do with a baby, so becoming a parent was not such a massive change and I don't feel like I'm missing out on anythng.
weegiemum · 17/07/2014 11:04

I was 29, then 31, then 32 so pretty close to the average.

CMOTDibbler · 17/07/2014 11:03

I was 34. No regrets.

TheWomanTheyCallJayne · 17/07/2014 11:03

22

Doing ok so far
Have some regrets about my own life but now they're all older and I'm getting more freedom those are easing.

sanfairyanne · 17/07/2014 11:03

29

i dont see uni graduates starting earlier but if i had gone to work at 18 not 23 i would have had kids earlier i think

curiousgeorgie · 17/07/2014 11:02

28 and 30...

I felt a bit young actually Blush

kinkyfuckery · 17/07/2014 11:02

I was 21

7Days · 17/07/2014 11:01

worked out fine, had good relationship, own home -well, own mortgage- steady job, fond memories of loads of fun to keep me warm, a measure of maturity.

HappyHippyChick · 17/07/2014 11:00

28

tumbletumble · 17/07/2014 10:59

Glad I left it till then.

tumbletumble · 17/07/2014 10:58

31