Would you have a baby at 42?

[divawithafever]

Stolen off another poster! I have a nearly 6 year old and considering giving them a sibling but not sure this is a good idea given that I'd be 42 by time the baby was born. Celebrities are doing it left right and centre but what about us mere mortals, is it a bad idea?

My honest advice is don’t do it

Says she with 4 kids

Your thinking of having a second child at 42 and you already have a 6 year old. Why did you not try for a second child before this?

You could have more health risks and have a higher chance of having a child with special needs. How would you and your partner cope if this happened? Financially could you manage if you had to give up work because your next child has special needs? What about the child you already have in this situation?

It's your choice to have another child but at your age it not something I would consider. Be glad of the child you already have and as they get older you can have more of your life back. Also with one child you should be in a better financial position long term.

No, but I have three.
The thought of multiple night wakings, pre school, toilet trainging, learning to read etc is just too much.

Yep, I did it, with a similar age gap. All good, no problems. Very happy

..it's also the norm in my social/friendship group. Five of us gave birth in early/mid 40's. It's not even unusual in my world!

Be glad of the child you already have and as they get older you can have more of your life back. Also with one child you should be in a better financial position long term

I had 2 mc between DC and when this shite was spouted it made me see red.

no, but then the chances that it works are slim.

also be aware the the risk for disabilities increases sharply at that age. Last year, my best friend was pregnant with a baby with DS at 41 and the year before my work colleague had a little boy with DS (she was 42).

I have a disabled child myself and 95% of disabilities cannot be screened for.

That's something I would consider too. could you cope financially/emotionally/ practically?

as for slebs, I am sure many use donor eggs and don't become pregnant with their own aged eggs.

I'm 41 (42 in Sept) and have a 16 month old. We are trying for number 2. Didn't meet DH until 36 so had first baby at 40. I'd go for it if that's what you want. I found DC1 hard at 40 and am under no illusions that another will be harder now I'm a bit older again, but I'd never envisaged having just one child (I initially wanted 4, but given I didn't start TTC until 39, not possible!) so we are going for it. Good luck! x

I did! He's a wonderful 9 year old now and I couldn't imagine life without him. He's the most brilliant, affectionate, good humoured boy. (Same goes for his dd, just a few years older).

Oops, I mean, his sister, my dd