AIBU to ask how you found having a baby at 37/38? Was your age a thing?

[BrazenRaven]

Just wondered how people feel about having a baby at this age.

Is it viewed as older for a baby these days?

I know it's a personal thing and everyone is different etc but would appreciate some honest opinions.

If you had a baby mid to late thirties, did you feel your were older?

where I live, people have very much had their children by 35 so having one at this age, I would be in a minority,

I've two other children if this is relevant.

Thanks in advance.

Had my first and only at 38. Very healthy pregnancy. Never really thought of age as an issue. I can pass for a lot younger so people mostly think I am still in my mid thirties rather than my mid forties. Nobody else made an issue of it either, even the health professionals, they see it all the time.

I had my third child at 37. I was more tired than with my first but that could have been because I had two children rather than because I was 37. I don't think it's 'old'.

The baby bit at 38 was fine. The teens and early 20s at 50 something is not fine at all. It's far more time and energy consuming than I thought especially as things haven't gone at all well. If I could do it again, I'd plan for the youngest to be 25 when I'd be 50. And I'm a fit and active 50 something at that.

Had my DS 3 days before my 39th birthday. Ended up having an emergency c section but this was nothing to do with my age! Not had any more!

I had my twins 3 months before my 40th birthday - and I wasn't the oldest on the maternity ward by a long way. My age has never been an issue then or now - a lot of it is how old you feel in your own mind. After all, I know people who seemed middle aged when they were in their 20s!!!

3rd at 38, others at 33 and 36. All good pregnancies and births (and I am overweight). Varies in age where I live but older mums are numerous enough for it not to raise an eyebrow.

Had my 1st at 36 and due my 2nd in Dec at 39. I feel more tired this time but prob due to having a toddler. No issues in either pregnancy (fingers crossed it continues)

I'm so glad to read these encouraging stories! I'd be thrilled to have another and fingers crossed it will happen.

Just another point, my husband is 42 so possible 43 when a potential baby would be conceived/born. Do people think this is older or fairly normal for dad of 3?

Had my 4th at 38 and 5th at 39 . Yes l was tired but l has 5 children ! Trust your instincts , if it is right for you - go for it

Currently pregnant with no2 at 38, I don't feel like I'm an older mum and all the ante natal clinics I've been to have been full of ladies my age or not much younger. I'm not being classed as old by the nhs either!

Had my first at 36 and my second at 38. Breezed through both pregnancies with barely a symptom. Labour/birth was a doddle.

My doctor with the first went on about "advanced maternal age", different doctor with the second, I mentioned advanced maternal age he looked at me and said that was utter nonsense...

Our much wanted son was born when I was 39. His dad is 44 this year and I'll be 41 but the good thing is we have done all our going out and having expensive holidays so we are content to stay at home and look after our wonderful boy! I must admit we probably have a bit less energy than the 28 year olds but neither of us are gym or sporty types x

I had my second at 38 and mentioned it being a 'geriatric' pregnancy to the doctor and he said no not at all! most people I know are 32/33+ for the first and subsequent. Having one before 30 is considered early!!

I'm 40 and have a beautiful newborn sleeping next to me!!! She is my first. I never thought I wanted children when I was younger and now I can't imagine why or how life was without her. I guess I'm a little more anxious (but we had a rough start after an amazing birth) and worry that I'm doing things wrong. Continuous feeding is hard, and how you would manage that with other children is beyond me!!! But it is the most amazing thing I've ever done even though I am shattered!!!

I had my first and only at 38. It's not unusual where I live at all. I would like to have been a bit younger but didn't actually meet DH till I was 30. I found it very tiring tbh, though that's got as much to do with my lack of fitness as my age, but I would certainly have had far more get up and go if I'd been 28 and unfit.

The other thing is that, as my mum was also an older mum (36 when I was born) she is a very old grandma to such a young child (80 to DD's 6) which of course limits her involvement and interaction.

I know it'll be nothing to do with me but I do hope, for my own selfish sake, that if DD wants children she has them a lot younger than me!

I had my 4th at 39. It was the shortest labour although a difficult pregnancy. I went to NCT classes and was the youngest but one in the group, the other 4 were all in their 40s. I felt so young!

I had my first at 18, believe me I found it harder doing night feed at 18 than I did at 39. Have you ever seen how much sleep teenagers need?

Had my third at 36 and didn't notice any difference between the first two pregnancies which were age 22 and 31. I felt fine, same amount of energy as first two and recovery after birth exactly the same. To be honest if anything being older has made me a calmer and more patient parent, I know what to expect in terms of sleep deprivation etc so was totally prepared for it. Physically I noticed no difference at all.

The patience thing is true. My youngest was a very headstrong boy and I think if he had been number 1 when I was a teenager we might have come to blows. I was in my 50s by the time he hit his teens and although he was a handful I was calmer about it all.

I don't know, I have developed awful PMT which makes me dreadfully impatient with DD. That's another thing, I'm not exactly looking forward to my menopause coinciding with DD's puberty, happened with my mum and there was a lot of shouting and screaming and slamming doors and my dad hiding in his shed, and we weren't exactly riotous teenagers.

Not me, but two good friends had their first at 39 and 40. One of them is expecting her second now, which is due when she will be nearly 42 I think. They were both a lot fitter than me after they had their babies! I was 31 when I had mine and took far longer than either of them to get back into doing exercise etc. They both have a decent income and owned their own properties so in that way, I think having them later was better. The only issue is that if they want more DCs they have to have them close together really, but that's not an issue for you I am guessing.