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Original poster

Last age to have a baby?

33 replies

SarahOnfire · 20/07/2017 14:26

I'm 38, have two kids already. Thinking about a third, but would rather (in an ideal world) wait for a while until I get pregnant again, only just given birth a few months back.
I eat healthily, occasional take away, don't smoke, drink a little, active gym go-er on and off. Not overweight for my height.
Previous pregnancies were fine apart from morning sickness.
What, in your opinion is the latest age you'd try for a baby? I'm mainly worried about the statistics increasing for a baby that has complications/disabilities.

OP posts:
ThisBabyIsAnOctopus · 20/07/2017 17:02

For me, it would be 40 although I appreciate there are many over 40 who have had successful pregnancies. I'm 38 weeks with DC2 and will shortly be 40 and I've found this pg really physically taxing this time. This will def be my last!

Justhadmyhaircut · 20/07/2017 20:50

I had ds at 43. . .
Ttt again but after 3 chemicals and a mc I have given up at 46!!

LotisBlue · 20/07/2017 20:56

It depends, how upset would you be if you couldn't get pregnant again? How long did it take you to conceive your other dc?
I'd probably wait and aim for a two year age gap, but I get pregnant very easily and the thought of a small age gap terrifies me.

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C0untDucku1a · 20/07/2017 20:57

Im 38, have two children and wouldnt risk another at my age.

DancingLedge · 20/07/2017 21:02

I had one at 43. No problems.
( unlike the ones I had younger)

IndieTara · 20/07/2017 21:12

I was 42 but had a problem pregnancy, at the hospital 3 times a week, always being kept in. Had pre eclampsia so induced 3 weeks early. In labout for 3 days then emergency caesarean.

DramaAlpaca · 20/07/2017 21:16

Not what you want to hear, but my own personal cut off was 35. No judgement at all of anyone who has babies in their 40s, it just wasn't for me.

eurochick · 20/07/2017 21:26

I had my first (after several years ttc) at 38. I felt up for another one at 40 but my husband wasn't ready. Now at 41 I've lost the urge and think I'm done. I'm not sure if that's age or just being happy to be out of the baby/young toddler stage, which I found pretty tough, and having no desire to go back there!

LilyMcClellan · 20/07/2017 21:42

I had my last at 38 but that was because I only wanted two. If I'd wanted a third, I would have been quite happy to start trying again at 39 or 40. I have several friends who had babies in their early 40s.

Diamondlife · 20/07/2017 21:46

Late 30's.
Wouldn't want to be 60 with a child still at school.

user7680 · 20/07/2017 21:55

Am 38 and and I want to get pregnant with my 2nd next year when I turn 39 ....no probs

MadameJosephine · 20/07/2017 22:01

40 was my cut off for a second child but DD had other ideas and was born when I was 41!

MyCalmX · 20/07/2017 22:05

My cut off was 40. Had dd2 at 38 and that feels old enough (personally) to me.

OhDearToby · 20/07/2017 22:10

I have three and if I have a fourth I want it to be by the time I'm 35 but only really because I started youngish (had dd1 at 23) and want to get my life back at some point.

Alexkate2468 · 20/07/2017 22:10

I'm the same as DramaAlpaca. I had my 2nd at 34 after an awful timr ttc. 35 was my cut off for my own reasons. No judgement on those who have babies later. Everyone is different.

UnaPalomaBlanca · 20/07/2017 22:15

DC2 was born on my 40th birthday.
No problems in pregnancy ( except for tendon problem in shoulder) or birth ( no pain relief whatsoever - no time!). Has not been great for my career prospects.
He is the light of my life.

AreWeThereYet000 · 20/07/2017 22:21
  1. I had DS at just turned 23 (born sept, 23 Nov) and DD at 26. I'm done but that would be my cut off if I changed my mind. I don't want to be raising teen in my 50s and 60s. Partly for selfish reasons I'd like my life back while im still young(ish) as they'd be capable to look after their selves for short periods by mid 40s, and for the fact I know how tired I can be at the end of the day now, I'm not sure I'd have the energy or motivation to be the best parent I could be if I was to have a baby later in life.
MotherofPearl · 21/07/2017 19:04

I had my third when I was 41, no problems for her or me (apart from the horrific pregnancy sickness, but then I had that with my other two, when I was in my 30s). I think you just have to do what feels right for you.

Icklepickle101 · 21/07/2017 19:11
  1. I realise this is incredibly young to be 'done' but I had my first at 19 (planned!) as I strongly felt I'd be a better mum younger rather than older, patience/energy/health wise etc. It also means my career is much easier to manage as by the time they are both at school I'll be 30 and I can do my travelling with DP throughout my 40s and 50s. I always thought about my age when they would leave school as a deciding factor.
confusedandemployed · 21/07/2017 19:15

I was 40 having DD. I'm 44 now and if it happened I'm quite sure I'd cope fine. I'm not sure I'd want another one though, but that's another story.

MaidenMotherCrone · 21/07/2017 19:25

For me it was 30. Ageing eggs etc.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 21/07/2017 19:27

I had a thing about not wanting to be pregnant/have a baby at 40+.

BingoFlamingos · 21/07/2017 19:34

45 I think! I've got plenty of time left so could change my mind by then!

RhinestoneCowgirl · 21/07/2017 19:44

I was done by 30. I'll be 40 next yr and with general knackeredness I can't imagine wanting to go through baby years again. I'm fairly fit and recovered well from both births, but the it's the sleep deprivation...

user1468353179 · 21/07/2017 19:48

I was 24 when I had my second child, but I think up to 40 is ok. My grandma was 49 when she had my mum though.