To think that at 32 I'm not an "older mum"

[elliejjtiny]

I've got 5 dc, oldest 8, youngest 7 months. I was 22 when I started ttc my eldest, 24 when I had him, still just about young enough to go to the "young parents" group at the children's centre .

But now having had my 5th DC I get the impression that I'm now an "older mum". Out of all my DC2's friends mums there is only one older than me and she's a grandmother (aged 40). Most of the others seem to have started having children at 18/19 and finish by 25. I was the oldest mum on the antenatal ward when I had DC5 and today I saw a toddler group advertised aimed at "older mothers" saying it was for mums aged 30+.

Are most of the mums in my area really young or am I (gulp) an older mum now? There's no point asking my mum, as long as I'm still a young mum, she can still call herself a young granny!

I had my second at 36 and was medically classed as geriatric - that really cheered me up

I think over 30 is considered as an older mum because the risks statistically increase?

Its the area I think - at 26 when I had DS, I was youngest at post-natal group by 10 years.

32 to me is normal - especially if you're on your 5th!

You are nowt but a whipper snapper.

I had DD at 41, now that is what I class an older mum. Most of my friends had their children in their 30s. There aren't many teen mums round here.

I was wrong - it seems to be medically defined as over the age of 35

Just be thankful it's not your first as it would be termed "elderly primigravida"

My FIL insists on calling me an older mum. I was 34 when I had DD last year! I don't know many people who had babies before their 30s.

I had my first at 31 and the GP said " ooh a young mum we don't get many young mums in this surgery"!

Of course you are an older mum - you are older than a 21 year old! 'Older' is a relative term, and does not mean the same as 'old'. (An eight year old is older than a six year old).

Of course, more and more women are having children later, so you are not by any means unusual and certainly not one step away from a zimmer frame and false teeth. Think of it that you have more life experience to bring to the role now than you did when you started.

Does anyone else think that there might be a weak correlation (note, emphasis on WEAK) between class and age. I am 36 and I have a bunch of friends my age who left school at 16 who are grandmothers, and a bunch of friends who went to uni who are just having their first kids. They are ALL great mothers, but it's interesting that there is a generation's gap between them!

Depends on your location , social circle etc

I was young at 26 with ds & distinctly young at baby groups. None of my friends have kids yet either

Our local toddler group was full of late 30's mums when I went with dd. I think the youngest was 32.

Definitely your area. I am 40 and dd is 5. In her y1 class all the mums are around my age. There are about 2 mums in their 20s.

Seems a bit odd to be an "older mum" at 32. Round here if you are late thirties or even in your 40s no one bats an eyelid.

Aww bless you. I was an older mum with DD (35). I'm now 45 and have a 9mo. I feel ancient.

41 when I had mine. Not oldest Mum in dc year group either. 32 not old.

YANAOM (or BU) xx

Definitely area. I had my first at 26, & was asked by my gp of it was an accident when I went to sign up for antenatal care . Had dc 3 when I was 37, much more "normal" for our area....

I suspect it is area dependent in my area there are a lot of young mums. When i had my first I was the oldest on the ward and I was a mere youngster at 25, I have quite an age gap to my youngest and I am the oldest mother at toddler groups by a long way anyone else there my age has their grandchildren with them.

I had my first at 34 and third at 40
None of the midwives etc batted an eyelid. Zero issue.
I was distinctly mid - agerange at playgroups, now feeling slightly older at the reception class pick up but not staggeringly so.

So NO you are NOT an "older mum"

Oh gosh, I would consider you young!! I had my first at 34 years and am pregnant with my 6th at 47 years.

The majority of my postnatal group were mid to late 30s. Maybe one or 2 in late 20's, early 30's

I am 34 and feel in no way an older mum, nor have I been treated as such by any medical professional.

Wow > loveandsmiles!

I had mine at 33 and 35. I was fairly average for my area and nhs mums group. I would consider you to be a very young mum!

I was 19 when I had my first and one of the youngest at mum and baby group.
I was 38 when had my twins and one of the eldest, one young mum asked me if I was their nan, charming!
At the school the majority of parents are younger than me.
I to think it is relevant to the demographic where you live.
I don't consider you to be an older mum, especially as you are having your fifth. BTW you deserve a medal and all the best.

I'm 28 and always seem to be the youngest at play groups and stuff so wouldn't say your an older mum at all!