I am 36 and nearly 37 very worried that I am too old

[Iamaman10012]

to have children

This... it's so individualistic, my auntie was 42 when she had my cousin 40 years ago! My mam had a massive gap between my sister & I due to fertility issues in her 30's so really no one can say for you, it took me over 10 months to concieve my child when I was in my 30's so honestly go for a fertility test, nerve wracking as that may be

It’s probably still very possible, so do you mean you personally feel to old, like you don’t want to be an older mum?

In my baby club of 8 women, 5 of them are over 37. From what they've said two did it via IVF and one of those 2 is a solo mum by choice. It's not too late! :)

Currently sucking on gas and air in labour with mine at 35. You're not too old.

Had my first at 37 and my second at 40. All went well, although I did request an amniocentesis for both foetus.

I had my first at 37, delivered two weeks shy of my 38th. I’d been married 16 years by that point.

My mum had me when she was 44.

At 36 there's loads of women who have babies in 40s easy. It's just the age you don't wait around. Statistically fertility declines and if you want a child and getting older then it's a risky game. Not worth waiting until 40 because it happens for lots of women and find out you have missed the boat

I had my 2nd at 38 my 3rd and 4th at 39 and am now almost 40 with no problems. Most of my family middle 40s had there's. Could be genes I don't know

Yeah we need more info op.

It’s not too old to physically conceive a baby. I had my 2nd baby a few months before turning 36. But i also made a personal cut off of never having kids any older than 35.

Unless your username is 'ironic' in some way, you could still have another 40 or 50 years to have a baby!

I wouldn't advise waiting quite that long, for a number of reasons - and it does largely depend on the age of your partner - but plenty of men routinely become new dads in their 40s, 50s and even 60s.

Well...

Any news?

Hot water and towels?

And ps @VelvetBow all the very best to you and your new family member!

I might have to stay up now 😂

Had my first at 37, hoping for a second at 40

Had my first at 39, second at 40. No ivf. Everyone’s fertility is different.

I had first at 38 and second at 45 both ivf because I was infertile.

I live in a middle class area where most of the parents are older than the poorer area that I used to live in. My point being that I don't standout at all as an older mum and can relate to the mums at the school gate

I am actively working on my health and have lost weight as I had pre diabetes, I am knackered but only as much as any parent if small kids is

The biggest change over the years is the blood test which tells you accurately what if your embryo has downs or Edward's syndrome this has been the biggest game changer along with the cost of living crisis which has encouraged the average age of first time parents to increase from 30 to 40

I had my youngest at 37. Pregnant first cycle. All very straightforward.

I worked with a woman who had a baby at 40 and 46. Two of my friends had a baby at 38. My nan had 2 of her children in her 40s. That was in the 1960s, and that's was very unheard then, but its so much more common now.

Lots of my friends have had their children late 30s/almost 40.

Personally it was too late for me, I had two children and was trying for years from 31 onwards for a third and it didn't happen. Actually I'm pleased it didn't now, but on MN it seems people say you can have a baby at any age but this is only true for some women.

Are you talking in terms of fertility? Or in terms of energy/suitable partner/money/lifestyle etc?

As said above, the first one is easy enough to check with a fertility test. And that will either put your mind at rest, encourage you to speed up your plans or help you think about whether you want to explore other options.

If it’s the second one, well very few people have a totally perfect set up before having children. It can be done on your own. Do you have support around you?

Well,if you are a man as your user name suggests you have many,many yets left yet.

This is really the incorrect thing to say, whilst for some people its possible, everyone should be aware of how quick fertility can decline after 35.

Best to maybe enquire about a fertility test OP

My sister has just had her first at 36, but everyone's different.

Unfortunately the only way to know if you’re too old is to try! Statistically it will be less likely than someone in their 20s but plenty of people do it. May be worth getting initial private fertility tests done so you have some idea.

OP have you had any fertility tests undertaken for reassurance? I was worried about the same thing at the exact same age, I went through fertility tests in the September that I was 36 and was diagnosed with PCOS so was convinced it wouldn't happen for me but I then fell pregnant the following February and gave birth at 37 following a completely healthy and straightforward pregnancy. So don't lose hope, but for peace of mind I would look into private fertility testing

Something about the OP's username Iamaman10012 makes me think they won't be birthing any children any time soon