How old is too old to have a baby?

[Shaz83]

Just wondering how old is too old to have a baby? Fair enough being healthy etc is fine.. but how old is too old?

No one has said to me that I’m too old btw…. Because I know I ain’t this day and age when it comes to having another baby. Thanks to all the positive comments its overshadowed the negative ones such as too old… so I’m grateful to those lovely posters. I just needed to read some nice positive posts to make me feel better and guess what it sure has! ❤️

😂😂

42 here, friends older, oldest at 45. Just the way it worked out as not everyone can be blessed to have them when they would ideally want to. X

I had mine late teens and early 20s. I was far too young. I think as long as you are healthy then go for it at any age.

the only time it crosses my mind is when there is a news article of someone aged 60 having a baby.

Didn't meet DP until 36 and had DC at 38 and 40 - conceived first time and no issues. I did feel a bit old for a third though sometimes wish we had. I guess 45 was my absolute cut off and when I finally got rid of the baby stuff. I think the hardest thing has been coping with young kids and being perimenopausal though feel like I am over the worst of that now

I had second at 30. Couldn't think of anything worse than having a baby later than that. SIL had her two at 42 and 43. We are both perfectly happy. Everyone is different.

For me I wanted my kids in my 20s which I did. However I was lucky to be in a position that I met my dh young. I would have probably kept trying for a baby until I was 40 it if I hadn’t conceived before then. After 40, I think is too old. I’m 38 now and tired! I don’t think I could do the toddler years in my 40s and the teen years in my 50s

Not everyone can choose. After years of thinking we would never have a child, I fell pregnant at 42 - the same age as my mum had me, her last of four. Personally I think there are way more positives than negatives!

My aunt had her only child at 42 after being married since her 20s. This was in the 1950s.

Another relative had her daughter at 46. I get the impression that it wasn't planned.

My friends grandmother had a child when she was 50. She already had a large family.

They all seemed to be very happy.

When l was teying for number 2 l woukd have said 40. But roll on 13 years and l thank God l don't have an 8 year old - would be too knackered! So with the benefit of hindsight, 35.

I don’t think it’s anyone’s business to judge and say what is too old.
This whole thread is a little rude really.
Everyone has different circumstances, not everyone met the love of their life in high school or their early 20’s. Some have fertility issues or got pregnant on accident.
As long as your body is allowing you to get pregnant, then it’s that persons business.

What is the long list of risks to mother and child after 36?

The risks do increase with age (e.g. miscarriage, chromosomal conditions, labour complications), but they are still very small and most pregnancies and baby are perfectly healthy.

I hate these threads because I’m 36 and we’re hoping IVF works for us… so depressing to read all these comments like it’s already too late and we’ll be too tired to enjoy it even if it does work 😢

Ignore them. I hope so much that IVF works for you 💚

Sorry my fault I should not have made the thread. I really hope ivf works for you please don’t let the negativity get to you.

Oh God. Bless her heart. I hope it goes well, but no adult life without parenting responsibilities would be hard! I had one at 41 and one at 48, and though it isn't easy, at least I got all the travelling, partying, clubbing etc done in my 20s and 30s. I'm happy to spend every Friday evening and Sunday morning on the side of a football pitch now. Not so sure I would have wanted to do it for 20 or 30 years without a break though.

A lot of people who think it's all over by mid-30s had their kids early though. If you've been a parent in your 20s or early 30s, the idea of starting again might seem appalling. It's different if it's your first time. 36 isn't old these days. Best of luck and I hope it works!

Everyone is different and everyone ages differently too. I had my children at 21, 23 and final one at 40. She's almost 2 now, don't regret any of it. Loving being a mum to a little one again, haven't found it harder being older, I have been lucky, she's a little Angel and extremely doting daddy, who does more than his fair share, willingly (his first biological child). I am also extremely lucky that my older children dote ok their baby sister and happily help out caring for her.
I actually feel like I've been a better mum as an older mum than I was when I had my other children young.
I am now 42 but I still feel young, physically and mentally. It's worth also considering the future, I will be bringing up a teenager early 50s to 60, I don't see any problem with that myself but worth having a good think about. I also put thought to the fact that I will probably be dead before my daughter is 50 but I feel that's ok as she has her older sisters and they are all very close so she won't be alone.
It really depends on the individual person and circumstances in my opinion. There will always be people who are negative about everything in life, do what's right for you.
Good luck to all trying for little ones, I hope you all your hopes and dreams come true x

@pumpkinpillow
I agree, ignore the negativity, 36 is not too old at all. I wish you all the best in your ivf journey, stay positive x

About 55 with the right medication

I thought i was done at 30 but then had a whoops baby at 36..
Obviously not too old technically as I was on contraception and still managed to conceive this baby!! But I tell you I am exhausted.. I certainly feel 'old' now.
My body has not handled it as well as previous pregnancies.
However psychologically I think I'm a much better mum actually. I think I dealt with the newborn stage a lot more easily. I was alot more chilled. I'm also at a much more secure place in my life financially and emotionally.
I don't think I would have planned to have a baby this late tho.. but my DH is much older than me so that's a factor. I worry we won't be around for her as an adult.
But life pans out how it pans out.
Fertility isn't as in your control as you'd like sometimes.
I'm very happy she's here. My other children and my DH are all over the moon with her too.

37 and glad i stopped then as hard enough dealing with teenagers now.
Wouldn't be able for younger children.

My cut off is 35 - but most new mums are in their 40s.

I personally want grown up children when I’m 50+ - not primary school aged kids and teens. Although I know anything in life can happen.

I had my daughter in my very early 20s - I was so young! had my second in my early 30/ and enjoying it more.

I went through the menopause at 32. My own mother at 36. So I'm very glad my cut off for having babies was 25. If I hadn't had DS when I did and had waited, I wouldn't have been able to have any children.