Is 39 too old to have another baby?

[arixo]

Is 39 considered old to have a baby? Thoughts?

I don't know many parents personally who didn't have a baby at 39 or older. Almost all of my friends and parents of DC had babies around that age.

I had my first at 38 and my second at 39...
both normal vaginal delivery and no complications during pregnancy.

If you want too, go for it!

But none of that specifically addresses why the particular combination of teens at 55 is such an issue, comb

@turquoisesapphire - I thought I had made it very clear why I thought it was advantageous.

The issue for me would be I am too tired for teenage shenanigans and am enjoying my freedom. Teens into my 50s or even 60s sounds far too much like hard work. I’ve moved past that part of life.

Of course, others will heartily disagree with me

It really depends on you. Some people might as well be in their twenties (in terms of health, energy, looks, emotional development etc) while others seem like they’re already in their fifties. So long as you have the capacity to care for another child age isn’t that important.

If you have to ask and are incapable of making up your own mind then yes, you are too old to have a baby.

How the hell have you managed to survive this long? Or do you need to ask people about that too?

I see yes. I suppose the post over the page said can you imagine looking after - it seemed to suggest that 55 and a teenager were in some way incompatible.

@turquoisesapphire if it’s if any help my parents were in there fifties when I was a teenager. My other was constantly getting ill (cancer, gallstones, liver issues and so on). And both parents had elderly parents to look after (they were in their eighties and frequently in and out of hospital, developing dementia and so on). It’s was incredibly draining for the two of them. I was left mostly to my own devices which was fine because I was fairly level headed and ambitious but an average teenager would have floundered at school and likely gone off the rails a bit. A lot of people underestimate just how quickly things can go to shit in the space of a few years, when you’ve got a teenager to deal with on top of your own declining health or sick parents it can be too much for one person.

For me personally yes,I'm 40 next month and I'm done with one ds 6.

Anyone else who wants to try at 39 I don't see a problem with it.

@Moooooooooooooooooo is there really any need for the bitchiness? Totally uncalled for.

OP having teens in my 50s is not an issue for me - but perhaps if you're knackered and not massively healthy (at any age) it might be tricky. I don't feel at all old and tired at 53 and in probably fitter now than I was ten years ago.

If you’re ok with turning 50 while still at the school gates, I suppose.

I had mine at 41 and 44. I am 46 now, DH is 51, so they are still little. It was not planned this way. In fact my own parents were in their 40's when they had me (last one of several) and I always thought I'd want to be younger. In the end I just did not meet the right man to have kids with until my late 30's. Whilst I did not struggle to conceive, had easy pregnancies and have found everything so far nothing but a delight, I have to admit that I am worried that we will struggle later on and am at times feeling regretful that I did not have them younger and therefore might have a higher chance of being part of any hypothetical grandchildrens lives. I would not advise anyone to wait until late 30's early 40's, but at the same time I would not advise against having kids later in life if that is where you are now. Both DH and I agree that we personally make better parents now than we would have done 10 or more years ago. Of course, there is a lot more to come and we might not say the same in 10 - 20 years time. We can only try our best to keep fit and healthy so we are in the best place considering our age.

I had dc in my teens, 20 's, 30' s and 1 at 43.
Being any age at the school gates can be daunting.
Regardless of age imo.

Mentally, physically or biologically? I'm almost 40 and been TTC number 2 for 14 months. Mentally and physically I think I could carry and raise another child but suspect I'm past it biologically

@Shamazing my “not ideal” comment was more to do with the increased health risk associated for both mother and baby, the much decreased chance of conception, and the trauma/massive costs involved in having to go down the IVF route.

Once again you are just one example of it being ok but we need to be more honest with women about the drawbacks for having children later. I would love to believe that, as women, we really can have it all but the reality is that, by delaying having children until your 40s, you risk never having them or having them but at great cost.