Have a baby now, or risk not being able to?

[EsmereldaBelle]

I am 20y/o and diagnosed with Premature Ovarian Failure. Doctors say one of my ovaries has completely stopped functioning and the other is deteriorating. So my fertility isn't great and likely to get much worse, pretty quick.
DP and I have been together 4 years and we both want children desperately, but my health has put my in a position where we need to decide if it will be now, or risk not being able to in the future.
DP is in a very stable full time managerial position. Finances are also very stable, thanks to generous family over the years.
What would you do? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[ShadowMeltingInTheSun]

Is there any reason why you don't want to have children right now?

It's just that you've given lots of reasons why you want children now (you both want children desperately, stable finances, DP in stable job, declining fertility), but no reasons why you might be thinking of putting it off. So I'm not clear on what kind of advice you're after?

But FWIW, if I'd had your diagnosis, and was in a financially stable place and a stable relationship with a man who also wanted kids, I'd probably try for a baby sooner rather than later.

[Theironfistofarkus]

I would have a baby. Much is made of the burden of having children young but there are advantages too- you will still be young when your children have grown up and you will have more energy than the older mums.

[EsmereldaBelle]

I just feel at 20 I'm a little young to be a mama, I'd of like to have waited at least another 5 years, but I'm now scared that in 5years I won't have that option open to me...

[Vagazzled]

Which do you feel you would regret later in life? Having a child earlier than planned or not being able to have had a child?

[InMyShreddies]

Definitely go for it now. I know too many women in their late thirties struggling to conceive and you are lucky to have a man who both loves you and is willing to have a baby younger than is possibly ideal nowadays! Don't waste a minute thinking about it, get shagging woman

Also, life doesn't end once you've had a baby - the first year or so is pretty intense but after that you can pretty much do everything you did before. You might not want to, but that's a whole other thread. You can still have a career, travel, have fab holidays, nights out, go camping, have lazy summer BBQs... life is just enhanced by having little mini-me's toddling about alongside

[Wahla]

Ah pish! There is nothing you can do in your childless 20's that you can't do in your childfull 30's, 40's, 50's etc other than convincingly getting away with wearing hotpants, perhaps, it just takes a bit more planning and determination.

20 is young but not a baby. There are benefits to being a young mum and in your circumstances I'd be ditching the contraception pronto.

[EsmereldaBelle]

Ahh guys your all so nice! This is my first post on mumsnet so wasn't sure how this would go! My other concern is that my grandma is VERY 'traditional' she wouldn't talk to my cousin for a month after she got married in a castle instead of a traditional church, can't see her being too happy about her youngest granddaughter having a pre-marital baby haha!

[LittleSporksBigSpork]

I had my kids young out of medical concerns as well and it really went well for us. First year/baby-mode is fairly intensive though has it's own perks, and now that I have that behind me, I feel great moving forward in other areas of my life as well. Hope the best for you, our older family members are quite traditional as well and were a bit shocked a tfirst, though not as much as when they found out we had eloped.

[Dahlen]

In your position I'd go for it. As long as you are mature enough to cope with a baby there are many advantages to having a baby younger - your energy is much higher and you're still young enough to really go for an exciting career once your child is old enough in a way that doesn't really happen for women who leave it til their mid-30s.

[Edendance]

Do it! I'm sure most women don't feel ready at any age! You would massively regret it if you left it too late, don't miss that chance.

[badguider]

It soundsike it matters a lot to you so I think you should do it now.

I wasn't sure at all so was ok with leaving it till my late 30s and also unsure about a second at nearly 40 but you sound so sure you want children that you should try when the odds are greatest.

Good luck.

[JohFlow]

Have you considered talking to a fertility specialist to see if they can harvest your eggs and 'freeze' them until you are ready to make your decision? So long as the rest of your equipment is working; you may be able to conceive later.

[CoTananat]

I would have the baby now.

In fact, no, I didn't do that and it was a mistake. But had I known then, I would have had the baby.

[NomDeClavier]

I would do it. At 27 I have a 2 year old and 1 on the way so pretty close to your 'planned' age and I don't think I was much more ready at 24 than 20 and again don't feel much more ready at 27 than at 24 other than ticking the degree and marriage boxes.

[Littlefish]

I think you should go for it now, and also consider having some eggs frozen for future use.

[mrsravelstein]

i would definitely do it.

[sillyily]

I had ds1 at 18 and definitely felt too young at the time... However, I am now 22, I have two kids, bought 2 houses, in my ultimate dream job that people envy (mwhaha) and am marrying my 'childhood sweetheart' in 4 months :D no stealth boast intended- just showing how age doesn't really mean much if you have the right attitude etc :) u sound like ur v stable which is a lot more than lots of people so go for it!

[MortifiedAdams]

Just think, theyll be 18 and you wont even be forty so perfect to revisit your 20s self with little to no responsobility!! id do it.

[PearlyWhites]

I had my first baby at twenty I had much more energy than when I had ds age 34. I would try now op or you may very much regret it.

[expatinscotland]

Have the baby.

[BrianTheMole]

Now.

[redwellybluewelly]

Have the baby. A case of if I knew then what I know now

For me it was waiting to find the right partner, I kissed a lot of frogs put it that way but my children have brought me happiness and I'm so pleased I have them both.

[absentmindeddooooodles]

I had a very unexpected baby at 21. I wouldn't change it for the world! I didn't feel ready, felt I was too young etc, and was not in a stable position. But you grow up bloody fast when you have your own child. It is totally worth it and I'd definatley go for it!

[solarbright]

If you want babies, then better early than never. Go for it.