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Original poster

What’s your gut reaction to a 38 year old being pregnant?

918 replies

Pegfriedrice · 01/03/2023 09:25

Do you consider 38 old to be having a baby? Just interested in how people honestly feel hearing it as obviously most people would be polite in person but I’m not sure if secretly they’d think it was quite old to be having a baby?

probably overthinking but hey…

OP posts:
DoubleR · 01/03/2023 18:01

I was 38 when I had my first and 42 when I had my second, I’m pretty average age for a parent at my children’s school. It’s pretty usual these days.

Tally111 · 01/03/2023 18:02

I'm 45 and was pregnant last year at 44 (healthy happy baby). Don't worry about it... though I expect you will. Also, what other people think is irrelevant, your wellbeing and your baby's wellbeing is what matters. Hope that helps

ThepicofmyhairymingeprovesIamsober · 01/03/2023 18:03

38 is a little old to be starting a family. That’s just a biological fact. However,it is quite normal these days so I wouldn’t think too much of it.

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kw1091 · 01/03/2023 18:03

As a midwife I’d think you’re about the average age of most of the women I see.

Sassysia · 01/03/2023 18:03

I’m 37 and still wonder if I’ll have another baby sometime in the future! So no I don’t think it’s considered “old”. My group of friends are 35-42 and if any one of them said they were pregnant it would just be normal! X

Doireallywanttodothis · 01/03/2023 18:03

Well as that was me, absolutely nothing, ‘how lovely’ probably covers it.

heaneb · 01/03/2023 18:03

I had my first baby at 37, definitely not too old x

Chasingsquirrels · 01/03/2023 18:03

Wouldn't think anything of it.

My grandma had her 4th & 5th at 41 & 45 respectively, in the 1960s.

It is getting towards the end portion of childbearing years though (say 14-45? I'm not advocating 14 as an ideal age, just talking about averagish fertility) and increased maternal age does correlate with increased risks.

Almahart · 01/03/2023 18:04

I was 39 when I had my second and most of my school mum friends are a similar age to me.

GingeAndTonic · 01/03/2023 18:04

CAJIE · 01/03/2023 18:01

What!!!!! God you need to move with the times
My ma had me at 40 back in the day but to make such a comment now????shows an incredibly narrow mind and lack of knowledge.Read up on the odds of getting pregnant at 38 and they are not what you might think from reading the scare tactic media

Some women will freeze eggs and have a baby mid forties or beyond.when do u think women should have babies?straight out of uni? Dangerously old fashioned idea.id hate to be one of your friends starting a family.

The OP is thinking of having her 2nd when she’s 38; her sister was judging her choice, and she was testing the water regarding how normal her sister’s reaction was.

general consensus is her sister is weird and judgy.

Luckyduc · 01/03/2023 18:04

When I was 21, my mum was 40 and her friend came over who was also 40 and she was pregnant.....I thought it was gross, and that the lady was old....way too old for a baby and if that was my mum I'd literally die of embarrment.

Fast forward to now, I'm 40 and everyone is having babies at 40. 40 is young. When I drop my kid off at school, the parents are all my age and pregnant. And I don't think it's gross but what I will say is I waited until my 30s, got a degree, great paid job, travelled the world and after having a baby realised I had to give up my career and I'm always wishing I had chosen to have a baby younger to *hopefully have more time with my kid. It does make me sad that I'm so knackered now and when he's only 50 I will be 83. Whereas I'm 40 and my mum is 58, she's my best friend.

IVFbeenverylucky · 01/03/2023 18:04

Is this for real? I had mine at 29 and 39 and at 41 now expecting number 3. My mum was 39 with her youngest.
Honestly never heard such nonsense. It's not even old fashioned, it's just nuts.

MoreSleepPleasee · 01/03/2023 18:05

I think it's old to have a baby but I base that on me being desperate for one much younger than that and panicking thinking by 38 I'd need ivf and never get pregnant naturally. I know it's not old really.

Reigateforever · 01/03/2023 18:05

I had my third baby at 39 no problems. However, the doctor did do tests to check everything was ok including an amniocentesis test.

spacer · 01/03/2023 18:05

Good for her I say. I had my last child at 37 as I got broody. I have 13 years between eldest and youngest. Way more patience at 37. But her sisters think she gets away with murder!

SavvySue · 01/03/2023 18:05

I had my first at 38 and second at 42. Both easily conceived and straight forward pregnancies. Children are now 9 and 13 and happy.

katsue · 01/03/2023 18:05

I don't think it is old, I had my youngest at 38. I would be careful with planning to wait however, I have sadly know a few couples suffer secondary infertility at around that age. I'm sure you'll be fine but if it doesn't happen immediately then you might be looking at 40+.

ZuckerwatterMaus · 01/03/2023 18:06

Had son when I was 39 . He keeps me young and I feel ful if energy ( he is 7 now ).

Scotslass171 · 01/03/2023 18:06

My mum was in her 40"s when she had me though I have a sister who is about 10 yrs older than me so nothing wrong with being an older parent. Would this be your first pregnancy?

flasha · 01/03/2023 18:06

I had my first at 37, 2nd at 39 and 3rd, 4 months ago, at 41!!
Prior to this had 5 consecutive miscarriages. So, having kids later on was just how it worked out for me.
I always wanted a 3rd but thought I was too old. Happened to get preggers anyway. . . without trying. . . And honestly. . . I don't even have time to think about my age.

Fluffygreenslippers · 01/03/2023 18:06

Not at all. I had a baby recently at 34 and I was the youngest one there which surprised me! I read a news story recently that had a surprise pregnancy at 48. Now that’s old (for pregnancy)!

Hillrunning · 01/03/2023 18:06

Considering I'm only a few months off 38 and dotn feel old enough to be pregnant, my very first thought would probably be 'oh thats a bit young'

Theresnoroomonthebroom · 01/03/2023 18:07

I wouldn't think anything of it. I had my first and 37 and my second at 41. Lots of my friends have had children in their late 30's

FriedasCarLoad · 01/03/2023 18:07

Not at all unusual. My age when I had my first, and I wasn't old for my NCT group.

Another 7 years older and I'd be just as thrilled for the new mum, and possibly even more excited, knowing it's a bit like winning the pools, having a baby at 45!

I'd probably privately start feeling a bit judgemental if it was a 50 year old who used IVF. But I'd still offer congratulations and support.

LexCake · 01/03/2023 18:08

I wish you’d done this as an AIBU because I think you’d get 100/0 😃

My Mum had me at 39 and that as 47 years ago. I had my DD at 43.

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