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…

It's a bit patronising to believe only londoners are 'older' first time mothers.socio economic type of decision not specifically London.
This merely an observation but if women haven't had a child by 21 ish then mostly they don't become a mother for another 10 years. Exceptions of course. Always.

What an insensitive and unnecessary comment. Plenty of 38 year-olds manage to have kids and plenty of 20-odd year old don't. Believe me, I tried, and I'm not alone

This was in response to @Moonicorn comment about egg health, the quote just didn't work

Dd3 at 37, I felt absolutely fine, it crossed my mind I'd be one of the oldest at the school gates but I absolutely wasn't.
My closest school Mum friends are maybe a couple of years younger than me but that's about it!

Rather you than me, would be my first thought.
Otherwise I wouldn't think anything of it.

What a mean sister. There's nothing wrong with having a baby then. My DiL was 42 when she had her last baby.

I wouldn't think anything but exciting. My youngest granddaughter was born to my 38 year old daughter. Several of my friends were in their late 30's when having babies most with their first.
I personally adopted a newborn at 51 and 60. With one I was able to attend baby talk sessions (similar to nct) and their were several in their 30's.
So have fun conceiving a sibling for your little. Ignore your sister she's not the one that has to do the over night feeds.

I'd be happy for them. It's not anyone else's business.

I had my first at 40 and I'm not even the oldest Mum in DS's very small class.

Lots of older Mums in middle class areas, seems to be due to them having careers, mostly. Definitely not the norm in my working class hometown. Most people have kids young there.

Congratulations!

That’s about it.

This. What else would I think…?

I couldn't care less. My mum was 36 when she had me (I was the 4th child, the last one)

Totally usual and normal.

I honestly think it's still young! I'm 43 and trying to squeeze out one more from my rickety old ovaries.

No gut reaction.... just congrats.

This thread is so old that OP is no doubt 39 by now.. and hopefully pregnant or postnatal 😊

Incredibly normal! It’s around 45 where I’m like ooh that’s different (but not in a bad way)

DM was 38, she’s now 82.
I was 40 when I had DD.

I had an easy pregnancy, still walking my lab at 8 months and lifting him into my car. Going to concerts etc. I don’t think it’s too old. My friend was older than me, I didn’t think anything apart from congratulations when she announced her pregnancy. If someone were 50 I’d only think congratulations.

People don’t often ‘run around’ after children like they used to. There’s soft play for that these days. People are living longer, establishing careers, getting on the property ladder etc.

As long as a child is wanted, provided for and loved- that’s the most important thing.

Good luck to her! 😀 👍
This is not unusual in the UK.
It wasn't unusual 40 years ago amongst the better and higher educated classes; my wife and I had our first child intentionally, after 15 years on "The Pill", in 1982, - 13 years after we married while still at University, the second followed in 1985. My wife was 34 and 37 in each case.

“Better and higher educated classes” is a questionable way of putting it.

It’s probably your use of the word “classes” that does it, as higher education attainment is a well known link to older maternal age.

😂😂😂😂

Many people I know would not have children and almost all would not have more than one if this were true. I don’t have a single friend who had a child in their 20s. Nearly all my friends are doctors or lawyers - long degrees, significant time taken to build up career, all of that affects timing of children.

Nothing at all - congratulations. I guess the OP is possibly 38 and pregnant and concerned/wondering what people think. Or is a curtain-twitching pearl-clutcher who things women shouldn’t be conceiving at this age. My hope is for the former.,

I'm an older mum. 40 when our youngest was born (in my 20s with our older two). I couldn't really care if others judge me and I know a few mum's (and dad's) who had children in their late 30s
I did notice being the oldest parent at DS nativity though but I feel blessed so don't care

I'd think it was old for a first baby because in my circle it is. If it was a 3rd or 4th child I wouldn't bat an eyelid. I'm 37 and would consider a 4th. Even if she did consider it old she should.keep her thoughts to herself, expressing disgust is hurtful.

Congratulations would be my first thought.

Had my first at 33 & second at 40 as I didn't meet my husband until I was 30.

My mum constantly reminded me that "by your age your sister had x number of children " 🙄

I just ignored her. After all I had enjoyed my time before children.

That’s nice and congratulations?? What do you mean ?