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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To suddenly feel broody at 46

33 replies

Stressedoldmom · 15/08/2016 21:07

What on earth is going on with me?! I have a son who is 20, I had him when 'circumstances' were right but never felt actually broody.
I don't even have a partner....is this my peri-menopausal body telling me to reproduce quickly before it all goes.....

OP posts:
DerekSprechenZeDick · 15/08/2016 21:09

Just remember the smell of shitty nappies, the shit spread all up a babies back, the loss of sleep ins and freedom

The bloodiness should disappear

ThisIsStartingToBoreMe · 15/08/2016 21:16

It's strange isn't it? I often feel broody too

NavyandWhite · 15/08/2016 21:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Stressedoldmom · 15/08/2016 21:29

The idea of caring for a baby/toddler does fill me with dread, as does the thought of giving birth again. Just surprised by the strength of these feelings out of nowhere and wondered if it was common at my age.

OP posts:
CharminglyGawky · 15/08/2016 21:43

Possibly, not something I've had experience of yet but my Grandmother got really broody in her mid 40's... My uncle is 12 years younger than the next youngest sibling and 18 years younger than his eldest sibling!

DerekSprechenZeDick · 15/08/2016 22:36

Id get a puppy

VelvetSpoon · 15/08/2016 22:44

I think it's actually quite common in your mid 40s especially if your children are now teens/ adults. Bloody hormones!

I'm 44, was v broody about 12-18 months ago but it seems to have mostly passed now thankfully! I was never broody either (my DC are 18 and 15 now, both were unplanned - I wanted children but on both occasions they were happy accidents, so I never did any of the ttc stuff) but for me I always wanted 1 more child. By the time I met someone suitable I was over 40. We talked about it and agreed it wasn't a good plan. Still a bit sad about it though, and I can't even get a puppy as I'm out of the house from 8-6 (minimum) every weekday.

wobblywonderwoman · 15/08/2016 22:48

I'm 38. I had two very very close together.

My friend tried again at 41 - she has two. Now I am worried I am going to get that broody feeling again.. Gah..

No not for me. I have no freedom whatsoever. At one stage I had two babies who didn't walk. It was hard.

Yorkieheaven · 15/08/2016 22:51

God almighty get a puppy. They are half the work and adore you. They sleep all night too.

roundandroundthehouses · 15/08/2016 22:52

I'm the same age as you, with late/mid teens, and would be horrified at the thought. Last time I felt (very) vaguely broody would have been maybe mid-30s. So it definitely isn't universal!

RJnomore1 · 15/08/2016 22:54

Do you want to borrow a teenager as a form of contraception?

glamourousgranny42 · 15/08/2016 23:02

I'm nearly 47 with 2 children who are 15 and 23 and a grandaughter. I havent felt broody for years. I have a partner who I have been with for 3 years and had the snip shortly after we got together because neither wanted children. The other day he was saying how he would love to see me pregnant and how lush our children would have been and I felt quite teary that it wouldn't happen. Then I got real and breathed a sigh of relief!

Whateveryouwannacallme · 15/08/2016 23:02

Its you getting ready to be a grandma Smile

calamityjam · 15/08/2016 23:05

I am 40 soon and sometimes feel broody. Ds 1 is 20 now and ds3 is 8. I had my tubes tied after the last one because I had 4 sections. It is the absolute finality of it for me that makes me broody I think.

NewRoadToHappinessxx · 16/08/2016 08:06

I have 2 DS who are 21 & 20, got broody at 40 ended up with twin DS's followed by a happy accident DD - I'm 45 with twins who turned 4 a week a go and a beautiful little girl who turned 2 the day after - wouldn't change it for the world. I'm calmer and more relaxed than I was in my 20's and they keep me young.

Oh and I'm still broody!!!!!

tibbawyrots · 16/08/2016 08:13

I'm 47 with a 20 year old DD and have been feeling broody for the last year. I think it's my body telling me it's your last chance, get cracking if you want to. 🙄

ProcrastinatorGeneral · 16/08/2016 09:07

Definitely the hormonal surge. Just ride it out.

AHedgehogCanNeverBeBuggered · 16/08/2016 09:15

I'm sure MN is full of harrassed parents who will lend you a teenager or three, or a tantrumming toddler, to help you deal with the broody feelings!

WoburnSands · 16/08/2016 10:03

Women traditionally have had children right up until the menopause - this was the usual practice - one of my relatives had twins at 46/47. Nothing unusual in it at all! YANBU.

Catisagit · 16/08/2016 10:04

I got broody as perimenopause started, so did a friend of mine. We are both childfree by choice, have never wanted kids and it was the weirdest feeling. Hormones. Ride it out. Or get a puppy....

Gottagetmoving · 16/08/2016 10:07

Perhaps it is a sort of panic that you will soon be on the other side of your child bearing years. Grin

practy · 16/08/2016 10:08

Yes I got broody when peri menopause started too. I think it is hormonal, and will pass. Just think of being in your 60s with a moody teenager, that will counteract the broodiness.

peaches222 · 16/08/2016 16:55

I had been trying for another baby with dh for a number of years but after too many heartbreak decided to stop. I am now 45 and a grandmother. My gs lives with us and I look after him (his mother have him up) but it is hard. He is only 14 months and I am absolutely knackered 😂😂😂 You forget all the hard work until you're faced with it again 😂😂😂 Wouldn't change it for the world though

JudyCoolibar · 16/08/2016 17:14

I know someone who had her second child at 54 after several miscarriages. I still think she was mad. She went back to work full time soon after and her child was largely brought up by nannies.

EmpressOfTheSevenOceans · 16/08/2016 17:19

Oh God. I'm early 40s, never wanted kids, definitely not set up for them... if my hormones do this to me I'll be furious!