What do you consider is a realistic age for having a last baby?

[GlitteringJasper]

Purely based on your own personal opinion?

What age is the 'cut off' in your mind for someone having their final baby?

Really interested to hear views on this!

Am dithering!

Hideandseekpig I think having children young (and for me under 35 i class as young!) it massively affects your career. I was late 30s when I got going, and by then I was established in my field and could come out at a higher level, and had more leverage with flexible working etc. restarting a career with a family is very hard. I couldn't do the hours or travel that I did now that the children are here.

I'd like to be done at 40. In reality, if we're not where we want to be by then (2 or maybe 3 dcs), then I think I'd go for 42 as a cut off. That gives me another 6 years.

Not sure how anyone can think having a dc at 40+ is selfish.

Oh well, I don't think I had a career to start with but actually, in all seriousness, if I want to I really think I could have a very decent career and progress well. I have a lot of my working life left ahead after all.

32/33sating that I had my last at 35 but wish I had done it a few years younger. I had no reason not to except for nerves!

Personally, I opted to have children young. I have a chronic health condition which started in my teens and I felt it was more important to me to have a family than go to uni etc so had my first at 18. I have 3 now, at almost 26, and I would like another one or two. I'm young enough still that I can cope with young children and my health, but if I don't end up conceiving before I turn 32, I will stop then as I know the older I get, the more difficult it will be for me to balance my health with a young family.

30 was my cut off. I had DC4 1 month after my 30th and I sometimes worry I'm too old for her.

My mom had two dc in her early 20s, then me and my sis in mid-late 30s. The first two definitely had the best of her, we ended up with a tired out/pulled in too many directions/been there done that, mom, and honestly we were slightly embarrassed in the playground (my little sis used to pretend our older bro and sis were our parents!) In many way on paper you would say they were better parents in their 30s - lots more disposable income, mortgage paid off, lots of flash holiday, nice cars, etc... but from a childs point of view, it just wasn't cool to have old tired parents!

For me personally it was 34, the age my DM was when she had me. My parents seemed old and tired when I was a child (i had older siblings) but I'm now expecting dc2 and will be 36.

In general I'd say mid 40s from a health and wellbeing POV. After 40+ years of a child free existence it must be hard to adjust.

I think 40-42 for a last one, if you're fit and confident. Over 45 and it's going to really take it out of you, I reckon.

I had mine at 30 and 33; I'm 36 now and in my head if we haven't decided to TTC a third by 38, then we're done for life. 38 has always been my cut off, for completely inexplicable reasons.

We married at 24, mind you, and I wanted children then. I still regret the fact that DH didn't feel ready for another 5 years. I spent all those intervening years establishing my career and it's a heap of rubble now anyway.

Ild love another at 39/40. It does worry me though. I really do think Im a bit too old.

30 is my cut off point we made a conscious decision to have our 3dds before then. Several midwives we know and our doctor told us this was the most sensible option health wise in regard to the increase in complications and health concerns that start to increase after 30.

30 and I made it with 2 weeks to spare. I started at 26 and wanted them all to be close in age with not to much gap between. I had 3 in 4 years, it was what I always wanted, probably because my mum was the same age and I am lucky it worked out.

I would have moved this number if I hadn't been in a position to have them when I did and I probably would have kept on trying forever to have one.

Ask a 30 year old this question and she will reply with a random number.

Ask a 60 year old and she'll answer her age she had her last.

I'm 40, anytime now would be good for a last babe.

It totally depends on how your life pans out. I'm having my first at 36 because I spent up to the ages of 25 getting my phd, then travelling the world, working abroad etc. I met the Dh at 33 and I'm absolutely fine with having another one (if we can) at 39-40. I'm happy I'm doing it now, when I have a great husband and a bit of financial security.

Similarly, I have friends who married their childhood sweethearts and had kids at 23. They're happy and great parents.

Neither is better, per se, it's just what life ends up presenting to you.

As long as you feel you can cope, have them at any age you like. Everyone's different, and I don't think age has much of an impact on how good parent you are. There are good and shit parents of all ages.

I had my last when I was 38, first when I was 28. I would think nothing of trying at 45, if I had started late. It's a matter of how much you want the baby, more than age.

I was 19 first time around with DTS's and almost 42 when I had DD, 4 years' ago. If my marriage hadn't broken down, we would have definitely tried for a sibling for her. So I would say, 43-45 would be my personal cut off. Well, it is my cut off as I won't be having any more now (almost 46 and single)

I'm 29 and have a nearly 6 year ol. I was 23 when she was born (just completing my MA) my personal cut off is 34-35 but I don't want another baby. I'm single and have been for 6 years so wouldn't want a large age gap which I'd have regardless. I couldn't imagine having a baby at 40 when dd will be 17!!

Seechoo - is that really correct? I know the risk of defects does rise with age, but the vast majority of older mothers will have perfectly healthy babies.

In terms of maternal age and health, I find it hard to believe. Maybe because I had three great pregnancies (other than sickness) and because I knew how to look after myself by then, my last was the best.

My cut off was 40. DD was born when I was 41

I'd say 43 I guess? But who knows how I will feel then. Currently at 27 I feel far, far too young to be having children so think it's highly unlikely I will be having any before 34/35.

I don't doubt many older mums have textbook pregnancy's and births at all, I just wouldn't personally have children at an older age your body is at its prime to have children in your 20s and risks for cartain things do increase the further over that age you go.

It is massively personal older parents and teen parents are judged more often than not wrongly due to their ages and many from both ends do fantastic jobs of parenting. I think bothe ends also have massive advantages and disadvantages the other doesn't. At whatever age its bloody hard and tiring.

I would say about 42 43 I am 49 now and just can't imagine it although people are forever saying to me that I better watch out as they could see me with a 'menopause' baby! I am not sure why I give off this vibe tbh as I can't think of anything worse. Apparently once the perimenopause starts eggs can be released randomly and there are times when you could get pregnant NO THANKS!