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

[Pegfriedrice]

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…

I'm 38 and just had my second baby. Tell your sister from me she is a knob and to shove her unsolicited opinion up her backside.

If only I could find the jammy biscuit emoji right now...

Wishing you every luck @AmyA64

I was 38 with my first I did read I was a geriatric mother. Never felt like one and didn't again at 41 pregnant with my second. Other people opinions didn't matter. I had had cancer and was told I would not have a child.. so any judgement wasn't heard

My gut reaction was congratulations. I see from reading further updates that is jumping the gun, but still.

I had my first the month I turned 34 and my second two months before I was 39. Seems normal to me and people I know and mixed with.

I'd say congratulations and mean it.

Absolutely normal, well I hope so. I'm nearly 34 and probably won't have a baby for a few years. It would be unusual 100 years ago or in the travelling community or places like Russia maybe, but not the UK in 2023.

Actually I don’t think it’s classist at all. It’s true - women in professional jobs have babies later 🤷🏼‍♀️ I’m unusual in that I work in one of your traditionally ‘professional’ jobs but had my first at 26, about to have my second in my early 30s. I think it’s the best position to be in if you can.

I had a baby at 38 I must admit I was more tired but apart from that it was fine
Congratulations

When I got married at 31 (17 years ago) my mum said I’d need to have babies quite soon as I was no spring chicken! I think this can be quite common amongst the older generation who had babies mainly in their 20s. Little did my mum know I’d go on to have my third child aged 40 😊

I had my youngest daughter when I was 38. I had to do a lot of thinking about it before TTC, as I had concerns, plus I am disabled.
gut reaction initially was more how will my body cope?
I think it’s all a matter of perspective. In my twenties, having a baby at 38 would have seemed or felt like a lot more of a challenge, especially regarding aging, and potentially not having so much time together. Now, I’m almost 51.
Gut reaction, is why not? it’s really not too old at all. You’re more likely to be financially stable, wiser, patient.
more people are having babies in their mid to late thirties than ever, and if it’s what you want, go for it. Good luck 💝

@Moonicorn

It is true. I’m 34 and had my 3 at aged 20, 22 and 25. I then married at 26. I am degree educated and I work as a teacher. People are shocked when they find out I have secondary aged kids.

Very strong WC roots which no doubt influenced my decision to have my babies young. Glad I did.

I’m 37 and currently 31 weeks pregnant. I don’t think it’s that unusual to have a baby at my age x

Your sister sounds a bit jealous?

38 sounds a perfectly normal age to have a baby from a quick scan of my friendship circle. I think there's an increase in women having babies later in life so a multitude of reasons. Having said that, I'm not sure what my cut off would be but then again each to their own - no-one should make it their business to comment on the uterus of another woman.

I had my first at 33 and second at 39, he was born exactly two months before my 40th. I would think nothing of it, except congratulations. Many women are choosing to start families later nowadays. It really doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks; if you choose to have another baby, that’s your business and anyone judging you should be told to go and mind theirs!

And? I had DS at 36… I wasn’t the youngest or eldest at the school gate. I wish I’d had kids earlier not for any reason apart from the fact I’d have liked more than 2.

I’d say massive congratulations (as I would to any friend!) 38 is totally unremarkable. I was 40 with my first and 43 with my 2nd. The average age of my Nct group was 37 so I didn’t feel at all old - sorry your sister said that. Families … can be a wonder we survive them!!

Seems about average these days. My mum was 36 with my brother and I thought she was ancient, but then I was 16 and it was the 80s

I'd think congratulations.

I can't remember the last time I saw a pregnant woman who looked under mid 30s in London.

Ignore your sister. My dad made a daft comment that we would look more like grandparents than parents and I often made the mistake of speaking to someone I thought was my age was a parent and it turned out they were a grandparent.

We started TTC when I was 35 and I had my first at 38 and second at 39. It sounds like your sister is being nasty for the sake of it. I love my children and wouldn’t change a thing. Whilst we may have been older than 90% of the parents we were settled and happy, had a nice home and weren’t farming them off with grandparents or anyone who would have them every weekend so we could go out on the drink. If you are fit and healthy go for it.

My cousin and his wife had a surprise pregnancy when her older two were in their late teens and she was the best addition to the family. Babies are blessings and if the doctors and midwives have no concerns for your health then why not. Back in the day without any medical intervention women were still having children well in to 40’s. Our bodies were made for this 💪🏽

It’s not too old at all. I had my twins last year at 36 and I’m not totally sure I’m done. My friend just had a baby at 42

Normal.

From where I come from late 30s is pretty normal. And I know quite a few people that were pregnant in their early/mid 40s.