to think we are not 'older parents'

[blondieblonde]

Read this on the Guardian.

DH was 39 and 42 when we had our kids, I was 31 and 33. I don't think we are older parents, but the article which is so negative has me worried.

[blondieblonde]

Oh I see. Blimey. I didn't know ANY of this as I planned a baby/put off having one etc.

Couldn't they have taught me in school instead of how to put a condom on a cucumber?!

[Birdsgottafly]

There was a recent report by those working in the field of fertility calling for a greater understanding of the issues when leaving ttc until later on, not those who don't find partners etc.

They say that majority applying for IVF, are people who have left it late and expected no problems, because they thought that late 30's, would still give them plenty of time, when for many, it doesn't.

They were also calling for funding not to be used for this purpose.

[5BlueHydrangea]

My dh was 63 when we had dd. I think he qualifies...

[Ludways]

I was 34 and 38 when I had mine, dh is 4 years younger though. I'm now 48 with a 14 yo and a 10 yo. My age is just an absolute non issue for me, I'm able to run around, play football, go swimming and climb to the top of the climbing frame, I'm happy to listen to their music and to go to gigs etc. with them. It's very much down to personality.

The thing that makes age a non issue is that I'm immature, lol, that same immaturity was even worse in my twenties and I'd have been a bloody awful mother then.

[Helmetbymidnight]

I'm always surprised when I read these threads is just how decrepit some people think 40-somethings are.

[nokidshere]

I was 39 and 41 when I had my children. Dh was 47 & 49. We were never made to feel old, or even older by anyone. We are 55 & 63 now with a 14 & 17 year old.

Our ages have never been a problem for us or them. We are fit and active, stay on the same wavelength as much as we can with our dc's and do everything and more than many of our younger friends.

[bananafish81]

Thing about egg quality and chromosomal abnormalities is that it's all on a spectrum

I have friends in their 40s who have got pregnant really easily and had zero miscarriages

I have friends in their early 30s who have had miscarriage after miscarriage and taken years to get pregnant

I was diagnosed as being in borderline premature ovarian failure at 33 - ie I had the ovarian reserve of someone in peri menopause. The NHS wouldn't fund someone with as poor a prognosis as me and many private clinics would have written me off as a lost cause

I was and am significantly more 'decrepit' than many of my friends in their 40s!