To be terrified I'm too old for a baby

[Zippylove]

I'm now 35 and don't have a child, although would absolutely love one. I've got a boyfriend and in the near future we would love to start trying for a baby.

Because of my age I'm a bit nervous about whether we will be able to conceive quickly. Please tell me, if you were over 35 when you had a baby and how long did it take to conceive? Thanks

First at 33. Instantly! First try. Second at 38, again instantly first time! Good luck xx

Between 35 and 40 I had four babies and two miscarriages so it didn’t take long to conceive at all.

36... second month trying
38... first month trying

But about 6 of my close friends have needed IVF trying to conceive in their thirties. And lots of my friends took over a year trying to conceive naturally, particularly on their first. For some reason that isn’t known, many women get pregnant quicker the second time.
I wouldn’t count on anything. Fertility declines at 35, and even more so at 38, it is harder to conceive, and miscarriage rates increase.
This is particularly true if your husband is older too, and less so if your husband is younger. Many people don’t realise that the man’s age makes a difference as well as the woman’s.
You may be very fertile at 35, but if this is something you want, I wouldn’t delay TTC without good reason, as you just don’t know until you try. And if it takes longer or if you need IVF, it is better to give yourself more time and therefore a better chance.

39, conceived second month after coming off the pill.

Took 14 months to conceive, I was 42. She's now 15.

I'm 37. Let's just say this one only took the one try.

Friend of mine had her first at 42 and second at 44. You never know but it is certainly variable.

36 with first and 38 with 2nd. About 3 or 4 months with both (used ovulation sticks). I have several friends with first babies in their 40's.

I live in an area where when my daughter was born it was difficult to make friends because most were 35 PLUS when they started having children. One had her fist at 42 and second at 45. Others were 37 and 40. My step mum was 37 when she had my brother too, mum was 33 too. Lots of my cousins have struggled to have babies throughout their 20s then for some reason lots of the same cousins fell accidently pregnant in their 30s, some of them twice as late as 38. Big family.
Its not old, lots of people do it.

I have 2 children, who I conceived at 37 and 40, first cycle of trying for both. I was nowhere near the eldest mum in the baby groups I went too either, even second time - I was 41 when dd was 3 weeks old.

35 is fine. Most people I know had their children in their late 30s and early 40s, which is the norm I think for many affluent working women in London. It was only after I turned 43 that I made the final decision that it was too late to try.

My GP told me the odds were on my side at 35 but if it hasn't happened naturally within a year then go back and see her. Then if there was a problem we'd have plenty of time to sort it out.

Had mine at 34 and 36. 1st took 3.5 years to conceive as we had fertility problems. 2nd took 2 cycles to conceive. My body seemed to know what to do!
If you are fit and healthy with no known problems you will probably be fine. Most the mums are at my children’s nursery are in their 30’s. No way is 35 too old.

I was one of the youngest in my antenatel group at 31. Most were mid to late thirties. A couple of early forties

First at 35, second at 39. Took 3 months for both, I worked away alot so we were calculated, used ovulation tests and bingo! Very grateful, I have friends who are ten years younger and have struggled. You never know what will happen but I certainly dont feel too old.

My mum conceived me at 43, I conceived my DD at 39 and my sister conceived at 37. Only my sister planned to have a child at that age.

Started trying age 40, took just one month to conceive. You don’t need to worry yet.

First at 34 which took 6 months. Second aged 38 at first attempt! Under 40 you will be fine.

I was 38 for my first- concieved within 4 weeks. Aged 40 for my second- took 4 months.

Fell pregnant at 34 after 5 months of trying, had dd when I was 35. Know many ladies in the same position.

Thanks all so much for your messages. Hopefully it will all be OK then. I'm going to start eating healthily now in preparation and be as ready as I can be.

Is this your boyfriend of six months who still displays pics of his ex?

Practically instant.
I had my last baby at 42.
Don't worry.

If you're worried about fertility, it's better to look at your own family medical history. I do know people who conceived late in life but I'm reluctant to use that to reassure you, as I've no idea if early menopause or fertility issues run in your female line. If your mom hasn't hinted that it's worth seeing your OBGYN, you're probably fine. x

At 36 it took 6 weeks, at 37 it took 6 weeks, at 40 it took 12 weeks And I'm 16 weeks with number 3. Had been on the pill before all 3 pregnancies. I was very lucky. You won't know til you start trying. Everyone is different.

I was 36 when I got pregnant with my first after trying for five months. I got pregnant with my second at 38 and it took about three months