Victoria Coren Mitchell has given birth at 51

[CanIPetThatDawg]

I wish nothing but health and happiness to both mum and baby but I can't imagine being up to my elbows in all the newborn stuff in my early 50s.

At that stage I hope to be taking a lover, or writing strongly worded letters to my local newspaper. I might alternate these hobbies.

(She has given birth rather than used a surrogate)

I'd have to make sure I was entirely sober when penning them so as to remain within the boundaries of respectability.

@CanIPetThatDawg oh do us a favour OP, none of your future readers want that. Afternoon martini, take a lover, another martini, commence your epistle. That's your schedule, now get cracking. The Echo won't fill its own pages

Absolutely as are adoptive parents. I just think people need to be realistic about the chances of natural conception.

I agree that celebrity (much) older mothers are not inspirational. Good luck to them - but for us mere mortals to think “Oh yes, I can wait till I’m 45 or so to start a family” is deluded. There is a minute chance of natural conception leading to a birth at this age. There is more success with frozen/donor eggs.

Aahhh I had no idea!
Well we're the same age and I wouldn't want that for me, but we're all different, and they have another child so they know what it's like- good luck to them all

Sorry didn’t finish post -

My point is that it’s certainly possible at 51 to have a baby via an earlier frozen egg, or a donated egg, if you have a lot of money for multiple rounds.

It’s also certainly possible to be very lucky with your own eggs.

I also completely understand that celebrities are entitled to privacy like anyone else.

But I find news stories such as this unhelpful, as much as I understand the facts it gives me false hope tbh.

Ah congrats to her! I’m 49 and I reckon I’d be ok with a baby at this age tbh. They’re no trouble when they’re little, it’s the teenagers that are wearing me out! Worst part for me about having young DC was the school run and I’m sure VCM can afford someone to help with that.

On the flip side, I did convince my lover that there was literally no chance of me getting pregnant through unprotected sex at my age the other day, so I’m hoping he hasn’t read this 😬

Me too, I have sacked off contraception @ 47 and a half. 1% or whatever is an acceptable risk to me.

I was lamenting all my aches and pains just yesterday, at the grand age of 44. I had my youngest at 38. The thought of having another child feeling the way I do some days fills me with dread. But good luck to her, I've always thought she's brilliant (and dh has quite a crush on her, though he won't admit it). Can't believe she's 51 though!

Christ, I thought her having one at 43 was impressive. Well done VCM aka Wonder-woman 💪

I am 51. What, I need to find a lover now?😀I will give the letters a go. I think the modern equivalent is writing angry messages on Next Door though!

I had my third baby at 42. I'm 44 now and don't relate to comments from women in their 40s saying they couldn't cope with a baby or toddler at my age. I feel as fit as I was in my 30s - I've never run marathons or anything like that but just have normal health and can manage fine on little sleep and taking dc out to the park. Obviously being 51 is a different matter and menopause might change how I feel, but I don't feel daunted at the idea of having primary aged kids at that age. I definitely feel done though and am planning to get sterilised.

Pleased for her, David Mitchell and their older daughter. Hope they have lots of happiness together.

Yes…I sacked off contraception at 47. The result of that is currently on his X Box in his bedroom. So beware!

How lovely, it is unusual though my DM had her menopause at 49. What will be will be, I was worried about blood clots.

😀

Had my first entirely naturally (and unplanned) at 45 believing the stats that it was extremely unlikely to happen. Another at 51 wouldn't have phased me at all. Now teenager always remarks how calm our house is - it's not a quiet house but there's no dramas. That might be because it's just the two of us and we've always talked and not had to divide our attention.