How old were you when your clock started ticking?

[catsonmysocks]

I am 30 next year, and in the last year I have felt more and more aware of my bio clock. Up until this point I've felt I have all the time in the world, assumed all okay health wise and concentrated on other things - buying a house, work, saving etc etc.

I now look around me and many people my age already have children - some even say they're done having them now. And then there are those around 10 years younger than me having children. I don't feel or think I look young anymore, and worry about how much longer I can wait. It feels like my generation has moved forward on to the next stage in life whereas i am stuck where I am.

I know women have children in their 40s, but I think it's a big risk to wait until then and assume all will be ok because I may not even be fertile by that point. But I don't think I will ever be ready financially, Job wise etc etc. I just feel time is running out I suppose

Please can someone tell me I'm being ridiculous?

I was 30. We bought a house first (20 years ago when it was easier) then started trying at 31. Ended up having 3 mcs then had first at 33 and second at 36. I don't really have any advice about when others should have them. That's just what felt right for me. Spent my 20s having fun before settling down

Mine never did tbh. But I decided as a litle girl that I would not have children and I stuck to it! Never even felt a flicker of desire for a child.

Never wanted kids at all, met my husband at 30 by 32 I wanted kids and had at 34. Weird as honestly up until then I was convinced I didn't want any.

So 32 for me

It was 30 for me. I felt weird about life (not necessarily a bad feeling but was weird) on the run up to my birthday and then afterwards an overwhelming urge to settle down and have kids.

I remember the EXACT moment too. I was sitting on the sofa browsing Horse and Hound and I suddenly thought “I want a baby”. It was out of the blue completely and the feeling never left. It’s still not gone and I have a child! I’m 37 now so will probably not have another. We had IVF for our one and only in the end, which only made that feeling 100x worse!

Mine has never started. I'm 53.

I was 25. From that point on, it became the driving force behind all of the decisions/life choices that I made. I didn’t have my first until I was 28 though. Then our second at 30. I’m not broody at the moment but think we would probably like to have at least one more at some point in the future.

30 for me too. Never wanted kids growing up, then got married and 3 years later it just felt right. Now have 4 DC!

Hmm I don't think I ever got that broody feeling, more just felt we had everything in place we needed to in terms of house, careers, finances, knew we wanted a child, and I was conscious of my age. If I hadn't have been in my early 30s I would have happily waited (although glad I didn't as we have DD and she's perfect!).

Like Flora it hasn't started. I'm 39. I've spent the last decade wondering if it was going to kick in, but it really hasn't.

27. Took me by surprise. I was massively into my career and social life and has imagined having a child some time around 35-ish. Ended up with 2 children by the time I was 30. Hadn’t been part of my master plan at all! No regrets, though.

Most of my friends were mid 30s when they started families, though.

29

28

27/28 for me, just as my mother predicted it would. It’s been a huge source of pain since as I can’t even get a boyfriend, let alone a husband, and I ideally want to be married before having DC.

I wouldn't panic too much just yet, there is still plenty of time. It very much depends how your social group are doing as to whether you feel like this. Lots of people have babies much younger or much older than 30. Seeing friends settled or finished having children can make you feel pressured. Remember there probably isn't ever a right time to have kids but your life may take a different path compared to your friends.

I was 28, had first at 30, dc2 at 33.

I always knew I wanted kids in a ‘one day’ kinda way. Then I met DH who was a few years older than me, got married and pregnant at 26 and had my DS at 27.
His bio clock had very much kicked in, DS is now 7 weeks and I adore him but definitely could have enjoyed a few more years sleeping!
FWIW in our social circles first time mums are in their early 30’s. I’m the only one my age.

You're being ridiculous!!! You have plenty of time. Please enjoy being 30 and also special free tip: there is never a right time!

46 now & mine hasn’t started either.

It had better not be planning to.

I'm also 53. I'm the only one here. The house is quiet. I'm listening, but ..... I hear no ticking.

30 for me too and luckily my first was born a month before my 31st birthday. I wasn't sure about wanting kids before the but it hit me suddenly when I turned 30!!

27

It was 29 for me and very sudden and intense. Never liked babies but kind of assumed we would have kids at some point as that was what most people did. I went from indifference towards babies to obsession almost on overnight. Still not fussed about other people’s babies but mine were amazing.

About 25. I was obsessed. DH and I even split up for a bit because he wasn't on the same page. It was very intense.

I turned 30 in January, and thought I would want to/have one by now! But the feeling still hasn’t hit me yet, and I’m not massively interested in having a baby until it does. Got other stuff to do before then, so not too worried.

Like you, OP, I look in awe at anybody younger than me having one, and can’t believe my own mother would have had two by the time she was my age!