To leave this for a year for these reasons….

[Ddd100f]

I was 37 yesterday. I have a 2.5 year old son and me and his dad were very new to our relationship when I was pregnant (wasn’t intended but very happy nonetheless!).

Ideally I want another dc and DP is also keen. But…I recently handed my notice in and my new role starts in September. This means to get enhanced maternity pay I would need to wait six months before becoming pregnant. I know it could take ages to conceive but I wouldn’t want to start trying until I am settled into the job. My plan is therefore to start ttc when I am 38 and 4 months - I.e. December next year.

I know fertility can change at any time and it’s different for everyone. I suspect I am still fertile as I have regular periods and know when I am ovulating. I also had a ‘health check’ down there a year ago and the consultant said there was no indication I needed to rush anything (though he was no more specific than that!).

I guess my main worry is having a baby so close to 40 might be quite hard? But then again I’m already quite close to 40. Any opinions on this really welcome!

If you delay and then have trouble conceiving how much will you regret delaying?

@TeenToTwenties i’m not sure…I think right now I would be incredibly stressed if I was pregnant so I almost feel like I can’t go down that route. I just don’t know.

Then wait.
You have 1, some wormen don't even get that. A second could be a delightful bonus when you are ready, and if not, then you have your DS.

Would a happier compromise be at that 6 month mark...so March?

Even if its not 'trying', so much as just coming off any contraception.

It may not happen straight away. Tempering maybe any regret you might feel about delaying if you have any trouble, without feeling like you're rushing to meet some deadline.

Is the enhanced maternity pay a factor or can you afford it without?

Can a consultant tell you are fertile by a health check "down there"?

I think the first poster nails it. It comes down to how desperate you are for another child. If you’d be devastated if you can’t have another then IMO you should crack on now regardless of it not being the ideal time - otherwise you could really kick yourself. However if you’d be ok with having one child and another is a “nice to have” but not crucial for you then yes wait.

a health check down there doesnt give them any indication if youre fertile or not, thats a bit of a werid thing to say.