To try and get pregnant at 46

[Whywoojjh]

I’m 46 and would like to try for my first child is this too late? I’m also 47 in July

I’m a grandmother at 46 to a 15 month old who I look after 2-3 days a week. And I am exhausted afterwards. And I get to walk away and sleep at night xx

Have you given thought about the possible child having additional needs?

The reason for saying this is that at 35 I conceived a son who had a condition that was unfortunately not compatible with life.

In retrospect, I was lucky in one way. He was never going to survive and his death was inevitable. It was clear cut. I'm not sure how well I would have coped with a child with additional needs on top of my other children.

Obviously chromosomal differences can present whatever your age, but the risk does increase with age.

Best of luck with your decision.

This is ridiculous and selfish.

I believe the chances of a successful pregnancy are much less once women get past mid 40s. But YANBU to want a baby. Perhaps have a go but try to keep realistic expectations.

Sorry that that was your experience. However, plenty of women have conceive at 35 with no issues, and go on to give birth to children with no additional needs. I agree with what you’re saying regarding the OP but do not feel it’s right to be saying this for 35 due to your experience.

Absolutely this. If your partner is on board fantastic or you are going to be single you'll need money for childcare. What happens if you come out of work or get seriously ill. What happens if your child has special needs? All these scenarios are on MN. Any relatives eg sister or brother who are parents and could advise?

Frankly I think it would be selfish and unfair. You've left it too late.

Whatever any of us complete strangers think, the fact is that biology is against you at pushing 47. You’re very unlikely to conceive and carry a pregnancy to term,

Are you thinking about egg donation or adoption?

Don’t recommend it. I’m your age with an 8yo and wish I was 10 years younger on a daily basis. No energy.

I had my second at 39, feel fine with teens in my mid 50’s. Not everyone is knackered, but I think I’d find a 10 year old quite hard work.

If you can get pregnant and stay pregnant, I suspect you’d need medical assistance.

Biologically, yes, you’re probably too late to conceive naturally and carry to term, statistically speaking

My friend is 45, nearly 46, and in her 3rd trimester with her first child but she had to use IVF.

She was told that it is very hard to get pregnant at her age naturally if it is your first child. I think it is slightly easier to get pregnant in your 40’s if you have previously had children.

Far too late; you're unlikely to conceive, and it would be so unfair on the child who may not even end up having you around for very long.

And no, please don’t consider donor eggs. It’s really unethical, cruel to the child and harmful to the young woman who has the eggs retrieved out of her body at great personal cost.

Agree

To be wanted and loved is a great privilege that not all kids have

You should be aware of the potential health risks for you and the baby, take all the advice, but otherwise go for it

I'd also say, you should have a clear financial strategy as to how you will cope when you retire

Very best of luck x

Don't be daft, and I say that as a 45 year old woman with no kids.

Those saying too old most likely already have a child so don’t understand the pain of not having one.

inknow people who had had babies at 47 and no more exhausted than younger mums, more patient etc . I also know 2 mums from school who were 50

of course, it’s likely to be harder ( if at all ) to get pregnant at this age, and more risky to carry a baby but that’s up to you to weigh up. If you’re ok with it, go for it.

Yes it’s too late.

Terrible idea. The risks of disability are much higher but the odds of convincing are much lower. Not to mention that child by the time they are 20 you’ll be in you’ll nearly be hitting 70 and may grow to resent tbat.

Way too late. My mum died at 48 and i felt way too young to have lost a parent at 20, it eats at me every day how little of my life she got to see and how much more of my life i'll have to live without her than i did with. The older you are when you have your child, the less of their life they get to have you for, and thats a very selfish thing to do to a child imo.

Whereas I had a four year old at 46 and wasn’t tired!

You have left it too late, if you want to to be mother I’m very sorry you find yourself in this situation.

Try and find peace with it, be a great aunt or a foster parent x

Just because something is possible, doesn't mean that it's advisable. You will not have the energy to cope with a teenager when you're in your 60s, trust me.

I slept without condoms or any other contraception after my 40th but nothing ever happened, and if did, I would have the child - so wishing you God's blessing

I couldn’t do this to a child if I were to be able to conceive. I would be thinking about Their childhood… their adulthood how youd be reaching 70 as they are turning 20. It’s just not feasible to me. I’ve had one child at 26 I’ll have my other at 31 and then I’m done but I know when my children are 20/30 I won’t be all that old so I’ll be around to support for as long as possible

Just no.
You're too old @Whywoojjh

I'm 69 and if I'd spent the last ten years with a teenager, as arthritis and osteoporosis wreaked havoc on me, I wouldn't have coped at all.

I had four children. The last was born when I was 39, and that was old. It was much harder than the previous three because of my age.

And anyway - you have a very low chance of conceiving and keeping a pregnancy. The miscarriage rate is sky high.

Think of this from the child's view point