Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Site stuff

Join our Innovation Panel to try new features early and help make Mumsnet better.

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:
GermyElephant · 19/07/2014 20:24

I was just newly 25. Worked great for us.

StrumpersPlunkett · 19/07/2014 19:51

pregnant at 29 gave birth at 30 (6 months pregnant on my birthday)
2nd baby 2.5 years later, woudln't change a thing

Zara8 · 19/07/2014 19:20

I was 28 when my first was born, we're living far away from family overseas, in a rented flat with temporary contract jobs.... But we felt (and it was) the right time for us!

Our second is due in a few months and I'm now 30.

AugustRose · 19/07/2014 18:49

I was 22 when DC1 was born, we had been together 5 years and moved from our first flat to a house, I would definitely do it the same way again as I liked being a young mum. What I would change is how close together I had my subsequent children as they have 4/5 year age gaps and wish I'd had them sooner.

westcountrywoman · 19/07/2014 18:28

DC1 was born the day before my 30th birthday. Which suited me fine because I'd always said I'd like to have my first child before I'm 30 Grin

HemlockStarglimmer · 19/07/2014 18:21

I was 42 and nine months...

IwishIwasmoreorganised · 19/07/2014 18:10

I was 29 when ds1 arrived and 32 with ds2.

You're never ready for the massive change that becoming a parent is, but we'd been married for 3 years, had a family sized house in a good school catchment, were each in professional jobs that we enjoyed and were as secure as they could be and we had a good social network of friends and family. That made it all easier I think.

JewelFairies · 19/07/2014 18:01
  1. Not for want of trying though Grin
FruitbatAuntie · 19/07/2014 17:48

I was 29. And 35 when I had my second.

Breezy1985 · 19/07/2014 16:37

I'm 28 now and would not change a thing Smile

FiveHoursSleep · 19/07/2014 15:36
  1. Definitely glad I waited.
Blu · 19/07/2014 15:09

43, was a good option for me.

Relationships and lifestyle weren't right until then, and then it felt like a great opportunity.

And so it has been.

I still feel energetic, adventurous, creative and open to new ideas.

ZoeWannaBaker · 19/07/2014 14:32

33

I have 2 children now 7 & 10. I was ready and very healthy when I had no.1 so perfect on that sense, but in a way I wish I'd started sooner as I would have liked to have had more but feel it's too late.

merlehaggard · 19/07/2014 14:20

24, 32 and 41.

StrawberryMouse · 19/07/2014 13:45
  1. Had already done uni, house, marriage stuff so worked out well.
LindaMcCartneySausage · 19/07/2014 13:05

We started trying when I was 31, but we needed IVF. I'd prefer to have started younger, obviously, but also now DH doesn't want DC3 because he feels too old for another baby stage Sad. But in fact that extra 2 years or so, despite being heartbreaking, did change our life financially so that we could afford for me to not work for a few years.

BeCool · 19/07/2014 13:05

Lives!

BeCool · 19/07/2014 13:04

I was no where near ready at 30, but I sometimes think of the years of DD's lifes I will miss.

RelocatorRelocator · 19/07/2014 12:58

I was 31 and younger than most of my friends when they had children.

It was a good age for me.

Sarahplane · 19/07/2014 11:38

I'd just turned 20 and I think I was too young. Had my second dc at 25 and felt that was a much better age.

JugglingFromHereToThere · 19/07/2014 11:13

No need to apologise Devora - all good to read Smile

< looks for the nosey bod emoticon! >

GreenGrassStains · 19/07/2014 09:44

18, felt too young during the pregnancy but definitely wouldn't change it now.

Unsureif · 19/07/2014 09:29

I was 28 and it feels really young to me now!

gwenig2 · 19/07/2014 09:13

33, after being told couldn't have children without IVF and consived naturally. Second at 35.

Pinotgrigioplease · 19/07/2014 00:27

Just shy of 30. A very similar age to lots of my friends

Swipe left for the next trending thread