To wonder if it's still possible for me to get married and have a baby?

[sunflowers14]

36 on Saturday.

Come on. I can take it

Oh course you can. I divorced at 39, no children.

I have a new Partner of 2 years and we're trying.

You'll be fine!

I was 36 and childless when exdh up and left me for OW. We had been married for 16 years, I was devastated - we had wanted children but found out he was infertile, donor insemination / adoption were ruled out (by him) and I had stayed with him.........OW had 2 children and he went off to be stepdad and live happily ever after.
Out of the blue a few months later I met DH - whirlwind romance and we just clicked, one year on from the day exdh walked out I had been married for 2 months and was 6 weeks pregnant. That was 13 years ago.

I like you lot!

Yes (met DH in late 30s, children in early 40s). BUT: you have to be proactive, open, ready to take a risk (not in the sense of dangerous dalliances with men you don't know, but in the sense of prepared to be emotionally open and not narrowly prescriptive about the kind of man you want).

Married at 36, just had our baby boy :)

I think that's my problem: I need to open myself up emotionally even if this means potential hurt.

Yes but you have got to stick at online dating. Well you haven't but it does work. It doesn't mean that you won't meet anyone in RL but it widens the pool!

My friend met her now DH on her 39th birthday. She was pregnant on her 40th and they were married by the time she was 41. It can happen.

That said, I think I would go it alone rather than not have children if having children was very important to me. You only get one life.

Yes you can. Met DH (online dating) at 38, married at 40, I'm currently pregnant (naturally) with first DC at 42. That said, I do know how lucky we are - have friends much younger who've struggled to get pregnant, and we've had a loss along the way. But yes, it's absolutely possible. In fact, if you look at the answers here, it seems quite common!

I do need to stick at it! Before I've given up thinking 'oh, it's me, I must be too ugly for anyone to love' 😂

Almost 7 years ago I had to take my car to the garage to fix a little problem. Went on a date with the mechanic 3 days later, pregnant 2 days later.

I'm almost 42, my child is 6. I never wanted kids, the universe had other ideas!

The relationship did'nt last but my son has two parents who adore him and we co-parent pretty well.

Yes but if you want kids, I wouldn't wait forever. I didn't meet the one, had my DD at 36 and at 42, still haven't met him. Yet? Who knows. But I am very happy with my DD.

Having children is a non-negotiable for me. I've always said I'd rather be a single Mum than not a Mum at all. For me, no man is worth waiting and risking my fertility for. I've got the rest of my life to meet someone but my fertility is limited!
I'm 35 and currently pregnant with my first after having IVF last year. I'm sure it will be tough, but I've also seen friends have it tough raising kids with an unhelpful other half. Last thing I want is to rush into having kids with someone I've only just met because of the ticking body clock and be tied to them for the rest of my life.
There are pros and cons to all circumstances, you've just got to think about what would you regret more.

Met my partner at 37, had baby at 39. Horrendous pregnancy though. Be prepared in case it's difficult.

Seriously of course just had dd alot older than that. Ive got friends who married late 30s and had dc. You only 36. Had friend who had two on her own via clinic, she owns house and works to support dc but has mum around corner for childcare. Never seen happier children.

My friend got pregnant at 39, got married (I think after the first child) and had a second child within two years.

Another friend had lots of IVF, then a relationship breakup and, several years later, adopted from abroad in her early 40s as a single person.

It's definitely not too late, my bf met her DH when she was 40 had Dd1 at 42 and dd2 at 45 they married inbetween dd1 & 2

Add not after course. Of course not! Your young!!

40 today, single and childless. Currently having a sniffle and a wobble. It could be worse...

Just have to keep hoping.

Happy birthday It is hard, I find, I really want a baby but I want a family more.

Try an activity holiday with a high proportion of singles. Easier than OLD.

That's a good idea. Skiing or similar?

I agree that if you do the date/engagement/married then TTC thing you will probably regret it. I met DP at 36, pregnant at 37, then three losses and DS2 arrived when I was 40. We are engaged although I haven't the energy to plan a marriage right now. If we had married first I certainly wouldn't have two children, possibly not even one.

A wedding even!!

Of course it's not too late. Anything could happen! Someone I know had her ds at 44 having met her partner when she was 42.

Just to add another perspective on being a single parent though...i had my dd1 when I was single and my family all live hundreds of miles away. It was honestly fine. I went to baby groups, I met people and made friends. It was my normal so I didn't miss having a partner to help. I actually loved it being just me and her and I was very proud of my single mum status.