Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Blimey! Victoria Coren Mitchell has had a second baby at 51

303 replies

Sidebeforeself · 01/11/2023 19:29

Congratulations to her. I caught up with OC last night and thought she looked pregnant but dismissed it when i remembered she’s around my age. Then i saw the announcement today. I’m knackered just thinking about it!

OP posts:
Catleveltired · 01/11/2023 20:05

BiscuitsandPuffin · 01/11/2023 19:59

Of course some women are fertile at 51, and that's why contraception should be continued until 1 year after your last period, or age 55 if they don't want any further children.

Fixed it for you. HTH.

Of course! I was pointing out to those who were saying "I didn't know it was possible!" It's very possible!

And I'm very pleased for the Coren Mitchell's.

pictoosh · 01/11/2023 20:05

Didn't think having babies at 51 was a thing. Would have thought that age too old to fall pregnant.

TooOldForThisNonsense · 01/11/2023 20:06

Good luck to them, I’m 50 and it would be my idea of utter hell to be back in the baby days though!

Vettrianofan · 01/11/2023 20:08

No need to worry about the age aspect. Being wealthy means it's irrelevant. The baby will be well provided for even if VCM pops her clogs in her 60s.

PonteMinchi · 01/11/2023 20:08

BarbaraofSeville · 01/11/2023 20:04

Why are people talking as if the parents aren't going to survive until the baby is an adult?

When we're saving for pensions it's assumed we're all going to live into our 90s, so I for one will be extremely pissed off if I die before I've barely retired and made a start on spending my pension.

Yes, I don’t get it either. I’m 51, fit and well, ran a marathon this year, regularly do fairly strenuous hillwalking, am still ovulating, come of pretty long-lived stock — my parents are both fit and active in their 80s. If I were able to conceive and carry a pregnancy now, I wouldn’t be expecting to die before that child reached adulthood.

LeonBlack · 01/11/2023 20:08

Bloody hell. I’m her age and I feel so far removed from this. My children are adults and think we’re ancient!

helloducky · 01/11/2023 20:09

Didn't Janet Jackson have a baby at 50 ish?

ChiaraRimini · 01/11/2023 20:10

I'm 50 and my youngest is 12, that's bad enough at my age. I can't imagine how exhausting it would be having to deal with a baby now and a teen in my mid 60s.

BoothsChristmasBook · 01/11/2023 20:10

"It was predictable at the time, when the average life expectancy was about 72, so half of women died before then."

Ah ok. So he was born in the early 1960s then. Well, funnily enough times were quite a bit different 60 years ago 🤣 and I don't suppose your aunt was quite as wealthy as VCM.

ChiaraRimini · 01/11/2023 20:11

Xenia · 01/11/2023 19:37

Good for her. I got some Durham history records today (not my family) but these two mothers were certainly churning out the babies - 20 sons -amazing number. I suppose you might even start at 14 or 16 in the 1700s UK in those days and go up from there.

  • 29 Apr 1798 Hannah Stanley, born 20 Apr 1798, 15th daughter, 21st child of Joseph Stanley (gunsmith, native of Great Barr, Staffordshire) by his wife Diana Riley (native of this parish)
  • 2 Mar 1800 Patrick Mullen, born 14 Feb 1800, 20th son of Patrick Mullen (invalid, native of Ireland) by his wife Ann late Drummond formerly Carr (native of Ireland)

Jesus. You'd be carrying your uterus round in a wheelbarrow after that lot

KatBurglar · 01/11/2023 20:11

Delighted for them as they are a lovely couple, but my god, I couldn't face it myself.

I'm near her age and I'm bloody glad mine are all adult or near adult.

MamaToABeautifulBoy · 01/11/2023 20:12

Huge congrats! Absolutely love them both.

By the way, I’m 49 with a one year old. Don’t feel sorry for him, he has wonderful life, and always will.

None of us are guaranteed a long life, and that includes the smug judgemental dickheads on this very post. I actually feel sorry for your kids 😂

TooManyPlatesInMotion · 01/11/2023 20:12

It would be very unusual to conceive and carry to term at the age of 51 using your own egg. Very unusual.

There are greater issues in the world to worry about, however. All the best to them.

topcat2014 · 01/11/2023 20:13

Should have been Juliet Bravo

TooOldForThisNonsense · 01/11/2023 20:13

crumblingschools · 01/11/2023 19:59

Doesn’t matter how much money they have, not nice to lose your parents when you are young.

Statically they will be lucky to have both parents by the time they hit 40, and both my parents and DH’s parents started to have health issues in their 70s. I think 50 is too old to have a child , doesn’t matter whether you are the mum or dad

There’s no guarantee anyone will have their parents at that age. My husband lost his mum when he was 27

EasternStandard · 01/11/2023 20:13

Well I’m sure they’re delighted

But I’m glad it’s not me, definitely not in that zone anymore

CurlewKate · 01/11/2023 20:14

@BarbaraofSeville "Why are people talking as if the parents aren't going to survive until the baby is an adult?"

Because on Mumsnet anyone over 40 is an "evil old bat"

RomeoandJomeo · 01/11/2023 20:14

I'm 52 with teens, and while the idea of having a baby now is pretty horrifying, it's more in a 'been there, done that' kind of way than because I feel past it. I don't feel any different physically than I did in my 30s.

PTSDBarbiegirl · 01/11/2023 20:14

MariaLuna · 01/11/2023 19:34

Don't know who she is but pity the kid when he's 21 having a mother old enough to be his granny.

Hope she's sorted out all legal matters for him (will, who will take care of him etc.).

If you could see the 1000's of unhappy, ill treated, hungry & poor little souls in the UK with mothers of all ages you'd be thankful this child has healthy, financially secure parents who care for their children.

LeonBlack · 01/11/2023 20:14

It’s not really about how long you hope to live. I hope to make old bones and both my parents died in their 90s. But they were over 40 when I was born and I was always aware I had ‘old’ parents. They were at least 10 years older than any of my friends’ parents’. It mattered to me as a child.

EvaBlue · 01/11/2023 20:15

It’s far more likely to be from donor eggs and years of hormonal fertility treatments than a natural conception. But I’m sure the child will be well looked after regardless.

megletthesecond · 01/11/2023 20:15

She does look very young for her age. I'd never have put her at 51. Glad her and the baby are well.

Judashascomeintosomemoney · 01/11/2023 20:15

I am so disappointed in them both.

Not because they’re both 50ish. No, because, despite having a Barbara already, they didn’t go for the very obvious, perfect, sibling ‘The Good Life’ nomenclature and plump for Margot!
Tut.

Hiyawotcha · 01/11/2023 20:16

I saw an announcement in the Times (births) and wondered if it was them. Good for them. I’m nearly her age and would do the pregnancy/baby bit like a shot if it weren’t for the fact my older ones are 20/18/14. If I, like them, had started a little later and had say a 7 or 8 year old I could see myself being more tempted.
they have time and money and the capacity to provide for their kids and to look after themselves.

BarbaraofSeville · 01/11/2023 20:16

CurlewKate · 01/11/2023 20:14

@BarbaraofSeville "Why are people talking as if the parents aren't going to survive until the baby is an adult?"

Because on Mumsnet anyone over 40 is an "evil old bat"

And people aren't actually considered adults until they're over 30, which I forgot, obviously.

David and Victoria will be expected to be wiping their DCs noses and arses, housing them, driving them around and doing their cooking, laundry and fighting their university battles in their 70s, if many MN parents are to be believed.