Would you have a baby at 50?

[pumpkinpatch6]

Off the back of the "Do you regret having a baby at 40" thread, would you have a child at 50 assuming you can provide for it emotionally and financially? Obviously medical assistance would be needed.

Not read all of the comments.
It would very much depend on the circumstances surrounding the person wishing to become pregnant.
When I'd been in my current relationship for a few years, I was still late 40's.
My darling love is a good deal younger, and so, if we could've made a child between us, we would've done, as we both felt that he could be the main care provider, as maybe I might not have been fit enough to take the main tasks on.
It's a mute point, coz we were not successful, but we felt we had probably put more thought into that proposed baby, than either of us had in the children we had both parented in our earlier years.
I see that I'm not like the majority of folks responding, and that's cool, coz it's all subjective, personal and circumstantial.
It's maddening tho' coz amazingly, I don't just feel fitter 20 + years on, I can show that I am physically fitter and stronger, due to a complete change in lifestyle, and the exemplary support I receive from my partner.
We both believe we would've made good parents again, second time around due to the life's lessons learnt along the way.
If OP, you are contemplating pregnancy at a later than average age, please don't stint on researching every possible aspect, not just of your current situation, but as other pp have said, what about all the future challenging stages, and what if you suffer ill health in the future, and or someone your close to (that is central to bringing up the child) has a misfortune.
If you find it's still the right decision after everything, then that's all you can do.
Even younger mums can't predict how they'll cope with pregnancy and the birth and all that follows.
Good luck, and I hope you make a decision you will always be happy with.

No I’m nearly 40 with a 2.5 year old and a 5month old and I’m bloody tired now! X

No, not at all.
My first pregnancy 16/17- I breezed through.
29/30- I thought I was dying. 32/33- everyone else believes I'm dying.
Maybe I'm having hard pregnancies, but I think as the body ages, we really realise how much of a toll pregnancy is taking on it.

Not to criticise anyone's choices, but just from my own perspective - nope. I'm in my early 30s and recently starting to struggle with the idea of my parents' mortality, wishing we had more time together. I can't imagine if those feelings had already come in my early 20s.

I've seen people on similar threads in the past disagree with that point of view, saying: "You never know how long you'll live anyway", but I think you can do your children a favour by making sure the odds are on the right side at the start.

No way Jose. I would like a grandchild for sure and would help out but not a full time baby.

I had babies in my 20s, 30s and 40s so I am aware of how it affects the body and I reckon I could have a baby at 50 (now in my 50s). I would be physically ok and I still have regular periods so my body still ‚acts normal‘. However I wouldn’t because it wouldn’t be fair on the child or my other kids if I were to die.

No I wouldn't. When I'm 50 my eldest child will be 30. I had all my kids in my 20s and it's too old to be starting over. Perhaps I'd feel differently if I had no kids and had tried for years, but really it is still too old.

I agree with this 100%. I have so much empathy for fertility struggles and I have been there.
But.... even though you are still yearning in your late 40's 50's doesn't mean it's in the best interests of the potential child.

Just because we can doesn't mean we should

No. Personally I wouldn’t have had one past 35, never mind 50.

I think at 50, it’s selfish and not in a child’s bests interests. I imagine parenting a toddler at 50+ and a teen when you’re heading towards 70 would be difficult for the parent and the child.

No, unfair on the child.

I'm the annoying type who never gets morning sickness and loves being pregnant. I had 4 ( last at 41 ) . I also had a huge gap between my first 3 and my 4th otherwise I would probably have had 6 . I was going to have another but was worried that it was not the best thing to do at 43yo. 50 is way outside my idea of healthy. I guess if you are sure though good luck to you.

@thinslicedham i completely agree with you! Not fair on the child.
Not just the fact of having an old mum and worrying about them dying or having to care for them, but potentially loosing your main caregiver at an early age.

No. My concerns are regarding how long would the parent be in the child’s life.

No, no and no. I’m 57 and the thought of having a 6 or 7 year old 24/7 is madness. Terrifying.

I can’t see it happening. I’m early 30s and am looking to conceive soon, but I’ve got it in my head that if it hasn’t happened by the time I’m 43 then that’s that.

I had babies at 37 and 41. I had fertility issues, which is why I ended up having them later. Both pregnancies I felt great and had no issues (I was high risk but that wasn’t age related and was managed).

No way I’d have a baby at 50 though! The thought of returning to square one with a baby fills me with horror. I’m so much more tired than I used to be and no doubt heading towards perimenopause now that I’m almost 44. My focus is on achieving a level of financial stability that means I can support the two DC I do have through key milestones - university, house, wedding. Also on being as healthy as I can be to minimize the risk of ill health in later life.

Not for me at all, coming from having children.

But having recently started dating (aged 50) it has been a surprise to have to say explicitly that children are not on the cards and also to hear from men that there are a surprising number of women 47+ who ask them about having kids.

Why would you want to ?

If it was your first baby then I don’t think people with children can answer. I had my first at 26. I have 4 children and have had a miscarriage so my body is tired and a bit broken (knees back and down there isn’t great;)). If I hadn’t any children I’ve no idea what a birth would be like as 50 so all I know is at the moment I’m tired and not close to as fit as I was pre kids but that could be age, life, or my lifestyle (running about after children!)

No I wouldn't. At its to old and its selfish.

This

No, it's too old.

I wouldn’t, but then I had my 3DC when I was 20, 35 and 39, so I’m not in your shoes.

It depends on your individual circumstances, but I did not want to be pregnant past 40. I don’t think it wouldn’t be fair on me or the child.

A midwife told me off for getting pregnant at 30. She said I was too old! We lost that pregnancy but obviously kept trying.

I would understand why some people would, if they were unable to conceive up until then. I would have less tolerance for someone who had left it that late for their own selfish reasons. Being a parent and also being selfish is incompatible with being a good parent. Being a ‘good’ parent should be the bare minimum.

I had my little one at 45 after a decade of fertility treatment and miscarriages. I always wanted children and I yearn for another as I hate the thought of my little one being an only child.

hell, no!