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

[Iamaman10012]

to have children

I had my daughter aged 37, got pregnant the very first time I tried. Has been on contraception for over 20 years.

Just had my bloods done as thought peri menopausal, doctor said I'm fertile enough to have another baby...I'm about to turn 48....

You just don't know.

I had fertility tests at 36 with a view to getting pregnant with donor sperm. I found out I was on the cusp of not being fertile enough for IVF to work. Eventually got pregnant two years later using donor eggs.

You won't know without testing. And someone who already has children will find it easier to have a baby at 37 than someone who never had kids at all.

My friend got to this age without having met the right man. And also being childless. So she decided to try the sperm donation route. In her case, she sadly had a very low egg reserve and the fertility specialist advised that she would require an egg donation as well in order to have a pregnancy.

But you might be completely different.

He was born by emergency cesarean at 3:43am! 🤍 Everyone doing well!

What blood test do you think that is?

I entered early menopause at 34, ironically I was hoping I was pregnant when my period stopped. Had several blood tests to confirm my hormone levels and likelihood of me ever getting pregnant again. I couldn’t. So I bought a horse. He’s nice :)

Biologically you shouldn't be too old or have children, but your fertility will be declining.

My children will be 16 and 13 when I'm 38 and I feel that I would be too old to be starting the newborn years by then. Bear in mind you'll be in your 50s with a teenager. Personally I wouldn't want to do that.

Some of my friends who are older Mums so feel very self conscious about it. They are dealing with teenage hormones, menopause and ageing parents all at once.

But everyone's circumstances are different. If it's what you want I wish you the best of luck conceiving.

Most couples age 38 will fall pregnant within two years of trying

Congratulations indeed! Glad all doing well.

I admire you're your dedication to Mumsnet 😂.

Great news, it's given me a smile!

Only three of us seem to have picked up on this very pivotal detail that completely changes the circumstances of the OP's question!

I had my first at 36 and second at 38. Managed fine, didn’t feel too old. My husband is 3 years older than me.

La Maman means the mother in French - is that what you're referring to?

Ooh, that's a good point, actually.

But presumably, with the question OP is asking, it wouldn't be asked by anybody who was already a maman (ou papa).

You're hardly going to ask if you're 'too old' to be a parent without giving the age of your existing child(ren) if you already have them. I mean, you're absolutely not too old to be a parent at 95, if your children are in their 60s or 70s!