How old is too old?

[Youremyannie]

I know there have been many many posts regarding how old is too old to have a baby. But I'm more wondering how old is too old to think you could still get pregnant and have a successful pregnancy?

Not many girlfriends to ask. My step-up had her last at 42 an my gran had her last at 49. But I see people on here struggling at 35+

I stopped mid thirties because I already had two children and the risk of autism and other health complications increases a lot with age and I wasn't prepared to put us all in a situation where my first two kids were negatively impacted. However, if I didn't have kids I'd have gambled and considered up to about 42. I wouldn't want an only child to have to deal with all the downsides of old parents by themselves when they should be free and living their life.

I had my first at 32 and my last 42 and all completely successful pregnancies lovely kids.

However it was harder to recover after the last pregnancy because I was older and I didn't bounce back in the same way plus also I had kids to look after of different ages.

Absolute latest would be 44/45 for majority of women.... and by thst I mean many women would struggle at 42-44... so up to that age would cover 80%-90%+ of women

I'd say the number of woman 46 + birthing a baby naturally without donor eggs / IVF / whatever is a vanishingly small group.

I had mine at 38 and 40 no issues at all (the women in our family generally have good reproductive health genetically speaking) and I feel very confident if I wanted another at 43 (giving birth at 44) i could based on my cycles / previous times to conceive.

My theory is that the more children you have the later your child-bearing years extend. I don’t know why this is the case medically.

It would explain why many of us have grandparents and great grandparents who were part of big Victorian families with the last siblings being born when the M was well into her 40s.

My ‘theory’ is consistent with the current situation where women start their families much later, have fewer children and often struggle to conceive at all.

I'm not sure i understand the question, you could think any age is too old but that doesn't make it to old

Personally it's not something I've ever thought about, each to their own really, not for me to get involved

Your body doesn’t stop being able to conceive according to what people deem as ‘too old’. Otherwise that would be a failsafe method of contraceptive. I know people who haven’t been able to conceive at any age, and I know people who have conceived naturally in their late 40s/early 50s. Yes, these people are the outliers, but that’s nature for you. People know the stats on a population level, but individually, who can say?

I think 46 is last chance saloon.

My grandma had her last at 43 🤷🏻‍♀️

I’m late 30s and I just couldn’t imagine having to do it all over again nor do I want to risk it. Sometimes I feel like DP would be a great father but there’s just nothing in me that wants to go through it ever again.

What’s a step-up?

Gran had her last at 49. In Yeovil Hospital car park, due to later labours being a little shorter than expected.

Thing is, if you can’t conceive naturally and wait till you’re 35 to find out, it’s a lot harder to fix.

Fertility matters way more than age.

42 is latest I could think of.
My mum had my brother at 42 and said it’s very hard going through menopause with a teenager !!!!!!!!!
I was 33 and 34 and I adore them. Am 36
now and i am so so tired. Can’t imagine doing it later than 42!
I think for me 38 would be my cut off but I’m lucky to have children already.

It depends. My great grandmother had her twins at 46 (when her DD, my grandma, was also pregnant.). My friend went through premature menopause at 30 ish.

But.....getting pregnant and staying pregnant are two different things, the chances of miscarriage increase greatly after 40, along with the chance of disability/genetic disorders.

Probably auto correct for step mum.

For me personally 38
but in general I would think it’s unrealistic to assume a pregnancy and birth after 39. You might get lucky but the stats are not on your side.

44/45ish maybe?

Although last summer when I’d just turned 43 we had a teeny tiny kitten to care for, he needed feeding every couple of hours including at night and I remember being so, so glad that stage only lasted a week or so, unlike a human baby!

My grandmothers (Irish Catholics) had their last at 44 and 46 respectively. I've got a few aunts who have had children with no issues into their early 40's and having just turned 40 I don't have any signs of peri menopause yet so I assume I'd probably be able to get pregnant for the next few years if the thought of a third kid just as our youngest is starting school didn't make my husband hyperventilate.

I think, in an ideal world, the best you can do, is make sure you are in a happy relationship (one where you share the same values, and make each other happy). Also, that you can afford to bring an extra being into this world, and have space in your living arrangement.

If you are happy, and have the above reasonably sorted, then I would start trying as soon as you feel comfortable.

While many people will tell you, to wait - until all is perfect/career ladder is climbed/etc. But, in all honesty, it is NOT the same for everyone. Have a child while you are healthy.
You arent always aware of what the future holds. I went through early Menopause at 35. Something which was unexpected.

My theory is that the more children you have the later your child-bearing years extend. I don’t know why this is the case medically.

I wonder if the more time you spend pregnant, the fewer eggs you use and the longer your reserve lasts? Mind you that could also be true of people who spend many years on hormonal contraception.

I was 38 when I had my last child. This was old enough for me. I want to enjoy some down time in my 50s

Sorry, not sure how to word it. Basically up to what age would you feel confident you could still get pregnant naturally and have a successful pregnancy. I want another baby but I'm not sure I'm kidding myself or if others would feel the same way and think go for it, no problem.

Sorry step mum.

I know someone who had a baby naturally at 52.......... its very rare but like the body has a last go before menopause! I had my last of three at 33 and remember feeling completely exhausted in comparison to the two in my 20s so can't imagine how tired you must be with a baby in your later 40s/50s😖

For me the cut off was 40 because although I could get pregnant by sitting next to a man on the bus, the risks of miscarriage and disability etc were not to be considered.

My personal cut off was 35. And tbh I am glad I made that decision as I am still struggling to reclaim my health and wellbeing and i’m not even 40 yet.

My friend had her first at 38, second at 40 and third at 44.

Her first birth was the worst.

All kids very healthy.