Does age really matter?

[Lilly41]

Hi we have both wanted a baby since before we got married.
We have been married for 3 years, I am 25 and husband is 29, we have our own house etc.
All of our friends and family say we are both still too young to have a baby.
Pros and cons of having a baby now or waiting until we are older.

That's not too young. Sounds like you've already got what you need. Go for it.

No one is ever ready until baby arrives, no matter what she you are.

I had my first in my early 20s and am having my second in my early 30s. Pregnancy seemed easier when I was younger.

I would love to have had babies in my mid twenties. My friends who did had a good experience, now have adult children. It is a really good time to have a baby.

You’re married and settled and you both want a baby - go ahead. So many women say they wish they’d been in a position to start earlier (me included) why wait? You’re biologically at the perfect age, and it’ll be easier when you’re younger and more energetic!

You're not too young at all, i had my first at 26 and now TTC #2 and its taking a lot longer than i expected. You don't know how long it will take to conceive so go for it if it's what you both want.

I'm 25, DH is 26 and I'm pregnant with our first. I always knew I wanted to be around this age, my DM had me when she was 22 and I always liked having a younger mum! It meant when myself and siblings (all born in her 20s) were older, she's still only in her 40s and enjoys going out and has more 'freedom' again I guess

Twenties is a great age to have a baby, biologically, energy wise etc.

If housing, career and so on are sorted and you feel ready, I would go for it.

Why wait?
There are plenty of things you may want to do as a couple before you have children (safari, long distance/multi time zone travel, decent savings, career milestones). These are individual to you as a couple. They are not compulsory but will be harder with children. Once you have one, often siblings come along and it could be 10 years or more before “plans” get back on track. If there is nothing like that for you, go for it but if there is, don’t rush without needing too

Agree with pp. You have everything settled, why would you wait?

Not to sound pessimistic but if it turns out there are any fertility issues between you (I really hope not) you have plenty of time to seek treatments without a lot of time pressure. I was feeling really anxious about this when I was in my 30s and hadn’t found the right man yet. You’re lucky to have created a solid base for a family at your age.

Go for it. People waiting until their thirties find that they're in a far worse position if they experience fertility issues.

I’m 25 and pregnant with my second. The downsides of younger pregnancy is that I’ve found a lot of people at baby groups are older than you so it can be harder to strike up a friendship. Also, a lot of my friends have been on various holidays and do things that you can’t really do with children.

Upside is that, when I’m 45, DD will be 25 and DC2 will be 20. DH and I will both still be young and hopefully have a bit more money to do all the amazing holidays we’ve missed so far.

In terms of age with regards to fertility, DD was conceived whilst I was 19, on the pill and hadn’t been with DH very long. It took 13 months to fall pregnant with this pregnancy at 24/25. In TTC terms, 13 months isn’t majorly long but it was longer than we expected.

Hi, we are 25/26 and trying for our first! I know a lot of people would think we're too young if they knew we're TTC, but I think too young in what way? We have a house, have been together for 6 years, both have stable jobs, etc., and I'm not particularly career driven - as long as I have a job I like I'm happy and that's the case now - so... What would we be waiting for?

And what with it being easier to conceive at a younger age, and the risks being lower, it makes sense to start now imo. Assuming there's no fertility issues I'll still hopefully be young and fit when DC become independent, and of there are fertility issues there'll be more time to sort those out.

And as well as all these logical arguments, I really want a baby

So I say go for it!

Living your own life first. Travel. Career establishment. Life experience. Financial stability and savings. Strength in your relationship under stress.

I don't think it's a question of waiting, more that what other things inspire you both than just being parents. Your lives won't stop but it will be come much much harder to do non child related things.

Age is on your side, what's on your to do list in life other than have kids?

Not too young. I had my first and only baby when I was 41. The physical toll and general exhaustion plays havoc with the alleged emotional maturity you have at a later age.
Your age is fine. Go ahead. Good luck.

Thank you for all your advice, its hard when friends and family are not supportive!
We have been on plenty of holidays together and done works to our house together so we feel the next step is a family.
I'm not overly career driven, I enjoy my job but could easily fit it around a baby.
We have always wanted a family so I think we will stick to our plan and try 😊