To think at 31 my friend isn’t too old to be having a baby

[Halfwayto50]

My lovely friend has recently started ttc she’s worried she’s too old and she’s going to struggle with her pregnancy due to her age. I’ve reassured her best as I can I personally had my two children at 21 and 23 so I personally don’t know what it will be like for her.

She'll be fine! 31 is a perfectly reasonable age to have a first baby.

Took 6 months to conceive DC1 at 34 and literally one shot to conceive DC2 38.

DC2 at 38.

Of course its not too old. That's ridiculous.

What the fuck? Is she worried the baby will trip over her Zimmer frame, or pull off her purple rinse wig? Tell her to get a fucking grip, honestly!

31 is perfectly fine, not old at all! I was 32 & 33 having my two. My bff was 41, and a woman who I used to work with married late and had her first at 50! All perfectly happy, healthy babies.

What planet is she on? I'd say it's average. I had my first at 41.

I would question her intelligence more than her age.

Is she normally so daft?

20's too early, 30's perfect, 40's too late - imo of course and even though I had 2 in my early 30's and 2 in my early 40's.

She isn't too old at all. I had my children at 28, 32 and 36.

31 is a normal age to be trying for a baby.

I had my first at 31. Felt average then. I recently went to a booking in appt for a new pregnancy and was told my age was average - I'm 38 now!

Well if it's too old then me, my 2 cousins, and 3 friends are past it and shouldn't have bothered..

However we all had ours 31 plus and are loving it, with no major issues and healthy children.

My husband will tell you he is too old at 38 but he will get over it 🤣

Errr what. I had my daughter 2 weeks off my 31st birthday and will be TTC soon at 32

Ha ha ha I gave it another decade!!!

What? For real? I was 37 when I had DD. One of my friends was 48 when she had her (naturally conceived) third. 31 is a spring chicken.

Medically she will have more risks when she reaches 35 so perhaps she is concerned about not being able to conceive straight away / having more than 1 child.

@ShellsAndSunrises Wow that's so, so young for today!! There's pros & cons. Other mothers might look at you and think 'wish I'd waited until I had mine'.

I married dh when I was 36! Had dc 1 at 37 and dc2 at 40. Your friend needs to chill

And the risk doesn’t reduced just because more women are choosing to wait until they are older now. A lot of dismissive replies on this thread, for what is a valid concern.

You can tell your friend I have had 4 pregnancies and my last one was my best and I'm 34 this year and my youngest is 1. My whole pregnancy was test book went into labour by my self and labored mostly at home and only had a 5 hour labour. My others I had 2 inductions and 1 back 2 back and with all them pregnancies I was never out the midwife lol.

Certainly not too old. I fell pregnant at 23 with DC1 and had DC2 just before my 30th! Baby is a few months old and yes pregnancy was a bit harder, as was conception but all in all not that much in it.

I personally wouldn't do it 35+ but 31 is all good!

I was 33 when I had my fourth. The pregnancy was no more difficult than the earlier ones

Kitmerow - whilst there are risks, the NHS guidelines don’t say it’s too risky. When I worked in a maternity unit, it was women aged 40+ who were under consultant care, not 35+. You don’t magically become high risk as the clock strikes midnight on your 35th birthday.

www.nhs.uk/news/pregnancy-and-child/pregnancy-warning-for-older-women/

Women should not be overly concerned by this report, but should be aware of the recommendations. These include an awareness of the risks of genetic disorders and the screening tests available, ensuring any medical conditions are managed and stable (for example, high blood pressure, diabetes or obesity) and ensuring that folic acid and vitamin supplements are taken around the time of conception. A woman's health should be as optimal as possible prior to pregnancy, which means maintaining a healthy weight and eating a balanced diet, taking regular exercise, limiting alcohol and not smoking.

Many women who become pregnant in their late 30s and early 40s have perfectly healthy pregnancies and babies. All pregnant women and those planning pregnancy, regardless of age, should be fully informed, receive optimal care and support and the appropriate medical attention required to meet any needs that arise from becoming a mother.

Good grief OP!

Old? Most women are just coming out of uni at 22 these days and not ready for babies.

I had mine at 31 and almost 34, and my Mum had hers at 27 and 36.