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

My second DS was born when I was 42. There were mothers older than me on the ward!

37 and the month I got pg we dtd once in the whole month!

Start taking folic acid now and maybe even charting your periods (with a fertility app and thermometer) so you’re totally in tune with your body when you do start trying - If you know when your fertile days are, you will stand a better chance of conceiving more quickly. It’s not the most romantic but worth it.

I’m 37 with a 6 month old. Was just 36 when I fell pregnant and was pregnant within 4 months of stopping contraception.

Aged 38 - it took two months.

Aged 40 - it took 16 days . DAYS. Not months.

(not even kidding)

I was 3 months away from being 35 .... we literally had sex once that month and I was pregnant ... I have a 8 month cheeky boy now! I was worried too hence I tried 4 and half months before our wedding!! .... oops 😉

Not me but a friend of mine got married and became pregnant straight away at 35! Then had a second child a couple of years later.

A woman’s peak reproductive years are between the late teens and late 20s. By age 30 years, fertility (the ability to get pregnant) starts to decline. This decline becomes more rapid once you reach your mid 30s. By age 45 years, fertility has declined so much that getting pregnant naturally is unlikely for most women

From Google.

Personally I think if someone thinks they might want a child they seriously want to get going if they're 35. It's all well and good people saying it'll be fine but facts are if fertility drops after 35 you need to get on with it especially as you might need to try for a year or so. Lots of people have babies in their late 30's though.

My auntie had my cousins at 41 and 44. I had my daughter at 34. Her friend's mum was 43 when she had her.

My first took 8 months at 32/33, my second had been trying for 2.5 years until 36 then had a successful ivf. Been trying for no 3 for 2 years now, had a ivf miscarriage and a natural miscarriage.

At 35 don’t worry but don’t get complacent either

My sister was 43 when she had her son.

Ultimately no one can tell you what will happen. Even with family history. My mum was in her 50s when she went through the menopause, I am 50 this year and still getting periods. My sister went through the menopause at 40. If it were me, at 35, I would probably get a fertility check, both you and your partner. Hopefully all will be well and you can go ahead but, if there is a problem, it will alert you sooner rather than potentially trying for ages and being disappointed every month if it doesn’t happen.

After 3 miscarriages and a stillbirth I had my little angel aged 38, good luck x

Conceived first time at 31,33 and 36. We literally discuss the idea of a baby and two weeks later I’m staring at a positive stick. I agree with pp about really understanding your cycles and learning when you ovulate. It’s really helpful.

First straight away (accidentally 🤭) at 37. Second complete bloody TTC nightmare full of years of miscarriages, at 40. I agree you really cannot tell until you try.

I had my third at 38 (conceived at 37), after recurrent mc and then a year of not conceiving where I had always conceived quickly before, but I had had 3 mc before I was 30 as well (I was 28 and 30 for my first and second dc) so I'm confident that had nothing to do with age. Not sure about the gap before conceiving, but it did still happen. 35 is nothing these days, tbh. Some risks do increase to a small degree but most of the change in risk/conception happens after 40, and even then it's far from being an exact science.

Firstly, you're not too old.

Secondly, how healthy are you? You are over a certain age (still younger than me though and I'm currently pregnant) and I did all the initial stress about being an ancient mother too

However, what kind of 35yr old you are massively plays a part. Are you fit as a fiddle? Smoke? Drink? Sleep well? Eat well? Perfect BMI?

My consultant says I'm healthier than most 25yr olds he sees. (I'm 37.) I think that's much more relevant than worrying about your technical age.

34. 2 weeks. And 2nd at 37...3 months but due to work trips the first couple of months were probably at the wrong time. I know loads of similar stories. Apparently the studies showing 35 are quite old and dont take into account people living longer etc now and better nutrition etc

37
2 attempts

Oh, also had first at 34 at the first attempt.

It took a year and a half for us to conceive our first baby after coming off the mini pill. I was 36 when I fell pregnant. I'm now 37 with a 3 month old baby!

42 - first baby and a ‘surprise’, assumed it was the menopause when my periods stopped as had not been ‘actively trying’ .

I hadn't had one single baby (or even an attempt) at 35. I've got several DC now .

If you're fit and healthy, 35 is just fine OP, don't panic.

I started trying at 30, nearly 31, and it took us 14 months. Baby is now 7 months, and at 34 I'm pregnant with twins after 2 months of trying

I have 3 kids first was conceived first month of trying at 31, 2nd child took 9 months of trying at age 35 plus use of ovulation kits etc and 3rd child I fell pregnant without trying at 38 after me and dh had too many wines one night and were not as careful as usual. We had talked about a 3rd child so he was a wonderful gift.