Page 8 | To try and get pregnant at 46

Whywoojjh · 2026-04-26T20:50:37+00:00

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

loislovesstewie · 27/04/2026 06:51

I would ask. Why now?
You have had 20 plus years in which you could have had a child. Why now?

DemonsandMosquitoes · 27/04/2026 06:58

My friend had her second set of twins at 47. Her first set were 17!

Newthreadnewme11 · 27/04/2026 07:03

In case it’s useful, a newspaper comment article written by someone in her 50s with a 5 year old
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/parenting/pregnancy/baby-at-midlife-exhausting/

KidsAndDogsGalore · 27/04/2026 07:09

For all the reasons already mentioned, don't do it.

HeadDeskHeadDesk · 27/04/2026 07:13

I'm pretty sure this is one of those suss posts designed to get lots of responses with no intention of engagement from the OP, who is probably not a genuine user at all. Only post under this user name, 8 pages of responses, OP hasn't even bothered to respond to any of them.

wiwaprwfimh70 · 27/04/2026 07:17

I have a 26 year old and 21 year old and I'm 45. I'm now going through perimenopause. The thought of this with a baby, toddler and small child.... no thanks!

Wanderlust510 · 27/04/2026 07:22

Please just no. Completely unfair on the child, even if healthy. If the child has health problems (which the odds are much higher) then you are less likely to be able to care for them. I work in care and there is a high percentage of the adults i look after who have parents who had them later in life. I would NOT want a child in the uk care system.

dcthatsme · 27/04/2026 07:24

One baby at 42 and one at 45. Long story but i got there in the end. Second relationship and problems conceiving. Both DC are biologically mine. Yes i wish I’d been younger when i had them but i am so grateful that i am a mum. I was determined to keep fit and active so they didn’t feel they had an old lady for a mum. I taught them to swim, cycle and ski. They’re both at uni now. I found being a parent to young children tiring but so did their dad who’s 8 years younger than me. One positive is by the time i had them i was definitely more mature and less selfish so there was a plus side. I think only you can decide if you want to try. A friend of mine had her second son at 48. He’s a lovely young man now working who has a GF and gets on well with his parents. Good luck!

Luckyingame · 27/04/2026 07:25

46? Wow. I'm genuinely glad I have peace at this age. But, everyone is different.
Bear in mind if you DID have a baby coming to 48, you will be 68 when kid is 20 and you likely never have any more life for yourself.
I wouldn't, even if still physically possible.

Hobnobswantshernameback · 27/04/2026 07:29

Op not been back??

DamnAFloppyLettuce · 27/04/2026 07:30

100 years ago before birth control was so available, women did have babies at that age.

Not so many but they did.

Didn't Cherie Blair have her 4th at 46?

sunnydisaster · 27/04/2026 07:31

To add - my parents were early 40s when they had me (in the early 70s). I know they tried for years so I do have sympathy on that score, but they felt so old to me - all my peers’ parents were 10 years younger. It made me feel very self-conscious, and they both died before I was 30 (yes, they died young but it meant I was also young - teens and 20s).
I know a few ‘older’ mums who had their only DC late in life and even in these more modern times they appear much ‘older’ than me - in dress, outlook, views. I didn’t want that for my DC - we were lucky to have ours in our 30s - (I was early 30s, DH was mid) - we ttc for over a year for our first too but I always said I wanted to be done by 35 due to my experience.
i had massive anxiety about health as a child, all my life really, and I’m sure DP being old was the reason.
It also meant I was much younger her than cousins etc (my dad was the youngest, but my mum was the older sibling).

DamnAFloppyLettuce · 27/04/2026 07:31

Luckyingame · 27/04/2026 07:25

46? Wow. I'm genuinely glad I have peace at this age. But, everyone is different.
Bear in mind if you DID have a baby coming to 48, you will be 68 when kid is 20 and you likely never have any more life for yourself.
I wouldn't, even if still physically possible.

No more life for yourself? What do you mean? Having a family may be what OP wants and would be her life!

DamnAFloppyLettuce · 27/04/2026 07:35

sunnydisaster · 27/04/2026 07:31

To add - my parents were early 40s when they had me (in the early 70s). I know they tried for years so I do have sympathy on that score, but they felt so old to me - all my peers’ parents were 10 years younger. It made me feel very self-conscious, and they both died before I was 30 (yes, they died young but it meant I was also young - teens and 20s).
I know a few ‘older’ mums who had their only DC late in life and even in these more modern times they appear much ‘older’ than me - in dress, outlook, views. I didn’t want that for my DC - we were lucky to have ours in our 30s - (I was early 30s, DH was mid) - we ttc for over a year for our first too but I always said I wanted to be done by 35 due to my experience.
i had massive anxiety about health as a child, all my life really, and I’m sure DP being old was the reason.
It also meant I was much younger her than cousins etc (my dad was the youngest, but my mum was the older sibling).

Early 40s is not that unusual now being fair.
Many professional couples don't have children till mid 30s and some women don't meet Mr Right till their 30s.

I don't think age is relevant as long as parents are in good health. They are usually more mature, have better financial stability and are ready to be parents.

DamnAFloppyLettuce · 27/04/2026 07:36

HeadDeskHeadDesk · 27/04/2026 07:13

I'm pretty sure this is one of those suss posts designed to get lots of responses with no intention of engagement from the OP, who is probably not a genuine user at all. Only post under this user name, 8 pages of responses, OP hasn't even bothered to respond to any of them.

So report it.

Utopiaqueen · 27/04/2026 07:50

I'm usually the first to defend older parents being mid-late 30s when I had mine. Having one at 47 though is a different ball game. I understand infertility is awful, but SURELY there must be a point where you have to make peace or have some acceptance with however painful it is once you reach a certain age. I'm not saying it will ever stop being painful, but at late 40s there needs to be some consideration for the actual child rather than the wants and needs of the parents.

Further more how would this baby been born? Egg donation? Sperm donor? People can be so blasé about donor conceived child but the impact on a donor conceived child can be profound and hugely detrimental.

Sheldonsheher · 27/04/2026 07:55

lots of people have children in their 40s
so why not if you can naturally.

Utopiaqueen · 27/04/2026 07:55

I think there's a big difference between having a baby at 40 and one at 47.

My mum says she probably would have been happy having one at 40 (she didn't, we were all born in her early 30s). But in her late 40s, her exact words were she would "rather stuck her head in an oven".

Babies, toddlers and children are hard work. We have biological clocks and menopause for a reason.

Sheldonsheher · 27/04/2026 07:58

Yes but not every one is on the same biological clock. this is a first child, not coming after having had enough already. So why not tbh lots of crap younger parents so why not if you can naturally it’s ok. Not everyone has to live the same life.

Gizzywizzywoo · 27/04/2026 07:58

Orangebadger · 26/04/2026 21:56

Very very very small chance of a natural pregnancy tbh. Most women in late 40s who have had a successful pregnancy have used an egg donor if that is something you would consider?

Not that small, my friend had her last baby at 47! She wasnt trying it was a surprise .her eldest child is in her 30#

chickenpotnoodle · 27/04/2026 07:59

Sorry op it's too late in the day, for you, the risks are too high, and for the baby/child who would have a limited quality of life with a parent potentionally double the age of his/her peers.

Sheldonsheher · 27/04/2026 08:00

People do have children at this age all the time why is everyone so ridiculous.

Gizzywizzywoo · 27/04/2026 08:03

Alltheusefulitems · 26/04/2026 22:00

I had my daughter at 46, she is 2. I know there are lots of celebs out there who have babies very late in life but as a regular woman with a very hands on and helpful doting husband, I can't recommend having a baby in your late 40's.

Im 47 and have had my new granddaughter (shes 7 months and teething) for the weekend, and its hard work
Love having her but its nice to give them back 😄
Cant think of anything worse than having my own baby at 47 and i love babies ♥️

Mummyratbag · 27/04/2026 08:04

I'll be honest it's not ideal and probably not possible without help BUT it does happen and as someone who was desperate for children I understand the longing. I don't know if it's Mother Nature's way but I think you can get a pang around the end of your fertility to have a baby.

I had mine later than I hoped and don't regret it (neo natal death at 34, many miscarriages and then successful pregnancies at 38 and 42). No regrets but I do worry about leaving them without parents - they are teens now, but I do still worry.

Things to consider - financial stability, age your parents/grandparents reached in good health (no guarantee though), family support/safety net, your own health/fitness, how you could cope with miscarriage/loss/additional needs. Whether you will be able to work/retire through to 68 if they need support through Uni. Even things like holidays - you don't get to just lie on a beach all day when you have bored teens! Even if you are healthy and energetic you may feel differently in 10 years.

All that said I have zero regrets. People look after children with special needs, grandchildren, foster/adopt much later than is traditional so of course it's possible to do so, just think really hard (but not for too long) if it's really what you want and be prepared that it might not happen. Good luck OP.

sittingonabeach · 27/04/2026 08:05

@Sheldonsheher all because you can doesn’t mean you should