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

So true UnderEsther! It does sometimes feel like we constantly have to justify our lifestyles to prove that we were prepared to be parents.

Personally I was 19, totally not ready, did my second year of uni when pregnant, she'll be 5 months old when I have to put her in the uni nursery (which is admittedly amazing and modern and I wish I was 5 months old so I could be there) because I'm not taking time off and going straight into 3rd year. And I'm terrified of missing some of her big 'firsts' because I've got to do my dissertation.

I love her, wouldn't be without her, she's brought a whole new meaning to my life and I LOVE being a mum... but was I ready? Not at all doesn't stop me being an amazing mum to her.

I was 24 (but had lost 2 already)
I'd graduated, I'd partied hard, I'd lived abroad so I was ready to be settled. A few people were quite horrified I think, others were surprised (I hadn't ever been interested in having children) and I was the first of all friends to have children. I was the only under 30 at my antenatal group and they all thought I was SO young though admittedly I did look younger than I was.
I wouldn't change it at all - that baby is now 20 and has 5 younger sibs, the youngest is 5 and was born when I was 39. I've had the best of both worlds - being a "younger" mum was fantastic but being an older one has been wonderful too

20 full time employment nvq2 qualified owned own home etc no regrets

I also think it's a shame that young parents seem to justify their choices more than older parents. We shouldn't have to 'prove' ourselves worthy!

17. Worked out perfectly for me! The only issues I ever had came from the judgements of others.

36. (Second at 39)

Apart from a worrying time when I was selected "at random as an older mother" at my 12 week scan for some additional tests (and they found no nasal bone so I had CVS and a big old scare but turned out fine ) I wasn't treated differently in any other way.

If I'd started earlier I mightn't have had the miscarriages, but I hadn't met DH and I was told at 18 I probably couldn't have DC so wasn't that focused on it anyway.

So, if I had met DH earlier, I might have chosen to have children at maybe 32-33, but not much younger, really.

25 and I thought that was quite old in 1993!
I don't regret having them then although maybe should have traveled a bit more first.
However I DO regret not staying in part time work as it has been very hard to get back into work after so long as a SAHM

27 I felt ok... Everyone else felt it was young

29, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Dd was born the day after my 21st birthday, she was 10 days late so I should have been 20, no regrets life is too short for regrets I had ds at 23 I am 32 now and the thought of having a baby at this age petrified me!

Geriatric at 32!

19 - not a single regret and was the perfect time for me.
Being a good parent couldn't have less to do with age. I'd have literally been a better parent at 12 than a few women my mum knows who were 25 - 30 years old. And I mean literally!

23, no regrets whatsoever.

mid thirties- a great age to have them as now I'm in my 40s with young children everyone seems to think I'm 30 as a lot of mothers with young children are around this age.

Although you do feel decrepit sometimes, having young children does keep you young (and very fit).

Just turned 33 and fingers crossed 35 if this pregnancy goes to plan.

20

32 and then 33. I wish I started having children sooner as I always wanted a large family. I have two toddlers now and I don't think I have the stamina for another one :(

Not long turned 23 for first, mortgage, degree, career and married. 2nd came 17 months later great age for me and couldn't have planned it better.

I've been with dh since the age of 18 so if it hadn't been for settling down with him may have been later.

28, then had DC2 at 31.

Felt perfect at the time (and still does). They have cousins on both sides within 2 years of them.

In my close group of friends (from school) 2 of 10 of us have kids (and both had them at the same age). I'm 10 years younger than lots of my "mum" friends, and I was the youngest in my NCT group by 5 years. I'm one of the younger mums at nursery too.

Pregnant at 17 and had DS1 at 18.
Usual caveats - I wouldn't change it as he wouldn't be him etc. I am now 28, happily married, in a v professional career, own our home, and I have generally done pretty well, but it was far, far too young.

21 very glad i did
was advised medical grounds to have children young while i my body was strong enough.
21 child married mortgaged degree and own business
no2 due in November and medically advised for my last.
love being a younger mum so much energy and looking forward to being in 40's when children leave home.
i would have rather had children young then got to 30 and be told its too last and my body wouldn't let me.

I was 33 for my first - 22 years ago. A little bit over average age? It felt right then, feels right now

Yawns - time for my Horlicks

I was 28. I had travelled and experienced lots but I still felt young. It was the right time for us.