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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:
StressedOutMumBex · 02/03/2023 10:49

StressedOutMumBex · 02/03/2023 10:47

This

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and CONGRATULATIONS !

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 02/03/2023 10:50

Your sister is barking. But let me guess, she already has her children and so 'she's all right' but likes to be judgey about anyone else who didn't have children at the same 'perfect age' she did. Bore off.

Jojofjo44 · 02/03/2023 10:56

My gut reaction is that it's none of my business unless it's myself, and then, no it's not too old. I had my last child at 44, she's now 6.

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PeachyPeachTrees · 02/03/2023 11:02

Ignore your sister and have another at 38. Perfectly normal and totally fine. I had mine at 35 and nearly 38. No one has ever said anything remotely judgy about being too old. If you don't have a second, a few years down the line, will she judge you for only having one and making you feel shit about that instead! Do what suits you and tell her to bore off!

clarehhh · 02/03/2023 11:09

Congratulations

KAT0779 · 02/03/2023 11:16

I wouldn't say it was thought of as old these days, but people have different ideas of what is old. I was 36 when I got pregnant / 37 when I had the baby (after trying for years, my intention was to be a few years younger ideally) and the way some people were talking you'd think I was 80 or something.

angela99999 · 02/03/2023 11:32

I don't think there's any problem with a 38 year old having a baby. If you're prepared to have all the relevant tests there shouldn't be any more risk to the baby than for a younger mother. Overall I'd guess your pre-natal care would be exemplary in view of your age, so risks would be minimised.
I had my first baby at 24 in an area with a lot of very young asian mothers and I felt pretty old then!

Helswatts · 02/03/2023 11:33

My friends where in their 40’s

Vickyg43 · 02/03/2023 11:48

LoisLane66 · 02/03/2023 02:49

I had a baby aged 41 and I don't think that's old. Carried very successfully with only one doctor visit about 4 the month then nothing until the day of the birth when I did normal housework, checked nursery was ready and took children to school and drove myself to hospital. Baby born before noon and was home in time to greet children after school with their new sister. Contacted husband offshore and made tea while the children fussed over baby and played in the garden. 3 days later it was school summer holidays so no need to rush around so much.
A lovely summer.

Can I just say… you are absolutely phenomenal! Can just imagine that conversation at the school gate, “So, what did you get up to whilst the kids were at school?”
”oh, popped up the hospital, had a baby, nipped to Tesco for some dinner and then it was pick up again. You know how quickly it goes!“

T1Dmama · 02/03/2023 11:59

I have plenty of friends that had kids in their late 30’s… I have a few friends that had children in their late 40’s!!
no issues x

T1Dmama · 02/03/2023 12:03

Pegfriedrice · 01/03/2023 11:42

for those asking, my sister is younger than me. She had her one dc in her twenties. I hadn’t asked her opinion she just stated it as a presumption that I was ‘done’ having children because of my age.

really appreciate all the responses, thank you.

I wonder if she’s jealous of the prospect of you having a 2nd child??? Is she not in a position to have a second herself?
sounds like she only wants you to have one because she only has one

Periornot · 02/03/2023 12:10

Nope, not at all OP.

Cosicosi · 02/03/2023 12:37

Feel for you, I had DD when I was 35. And later I found out one of the grandma who doing the school run for her GD is 1 year older than me...

AshtonsMummy2017 · 02/03/2023 12:37

I was pregnant with my second at 38. Honestly, the midwife said that it’s the new norm to be late 30’s. I definitely have more patience with my children than I would have had when I was younger, pro’s and cons to both younger and older parenting. I’m definitely more financially secure too. I wouldn’t think anything of it.

MadMadaMim · 02/03/2023 12:40

At 35 (and less than 2 months to 36),i was one of the younger first time mums both in the NCT group I was in briefly and the mums group was part of for years.

Yes, a sibling may be more challenging, but that's your business and nobody else's - not even your sister's

Gg93 · 02/03/2023 13:09

I would think it's great news and would be delighted for the person.

Reading your answers it is more so a reflection of your sister than society. I wouldn't take any heed of her. To have a baby at 38 isn't old. You live your life and don't listen to her.

CLCB07 · 02/03/2023 13:16

Quite normal. Had my last at 41.

mylifestory · 02/03/2023 13:22

tell yr sis ter to mind her own business. even if you were 45 would you listen to her? i hope not!

DUTCHY20 · 02/03/2023 13:32

I had my 1st baby when i was 20,second at 23. my youngest was born when i was nearly 40 years old. Everything went as planned. Makes no difference at that age.
😀

THEDEACON · 02/03/2023 13:37

If she was happy I'd be happy Don't give what your sister said a second thought

Vintagevixen · 02/03/2023 14:13

I had my first (and only) at 37 so my gut reaction would be - totally normal!!!!

My friend had her 3rd at 48 (natural conception) so older mothers totally normal in my world.

angela99999 · 02/03/2023 15:30

T1Dmama · 02/03/2023 12:03

I wonder if she’s jealous of the prospect of you having a 2nd child??? Is she not in a position to have a second herself?
sounds like she only wants you to have one because she only has one

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Must admit that I did wonder about this.

MyNDfamily · 02/03/2023 15:35

I was 37 when my eldest was born. I didn't think it was weird, why?

CourseYaCan21 · 02/03/2023 16:00

I am 34 have one 5yo, would love another.. I feel the time pressure. If I was 39 and was pregnant I would feel elated and joyous and blessed and very happy for the person.

CourseYaCan21 · 02/03/2023 16:05

Your even more blessed the older you get, because it is biologically more difficult. Not fair because societal pressures has kept it this way in order to keep us at distance from the superstructure. Fucking awful.