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Conception

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Original poster

Is 37 too much old to have a third child?

155 replies

summerfinn · 30/04/2023 19:53

Is 37 too risky to have a third child? Are the chance of having a disabled child too high to risk it. Would a healthy 37 year old be putting their health at risk by having another child at this age. Also is it unfair on the child to have an older parent? Thoughts please?

OP posts:
RedTulipsSpring · 30/04/2023 20:26

Madness - my parents had me at that age, I was the third. I don’t feel in anyway slighted.

Howtohideasausage · 30/04/2023 20:27

I had my third child at 38 and they are autistic. If that’s relevant, I don’t know.

TurquoiseDress · 30/04/2023 20:31

Hmm...no?

I've got friends & acquaintances having their first baby at the age of 37...with another one or two planned for a couple of years time!

Depends on how you feel at 37...if you've got lots of health issues and are totally knackered all the time maybe not a great idea

If you're fit & healthy and able to manage the kids the kids you have already then go for it

SleepingStandingUp · 30/04/2023 20:33

I had twins just before my 38th birthday. So yes, may e I'm a shit human who is giving my poor sons an awful future but life is what it is. People die at all sorts of ages. My genetically wonky kid was the one I had at 33 not the ones I had at 37. There's no guarantees.

SleepingStandingUp · 30/04/2023 20:34

Howtohideasausage · 30/04/2023 20:27

I had my third child at 38 and they are autistic. If that’s relevant, I don’t know.

More likely to be linked to your partners age not yours, if it's even caused genetically.

Caterina99 · 30/04/2023 20:34

For me personally, I’m 37 now and have no desire to have a third baby. I don’t really feel that I am too old though, I just feel drained from the other 2 kids who are now early primary and like I’m finally getting myself back again now parenting isn’t as intense.

I know lots and lots of people who had their first or subsequent kids at 37 or older.

Original poster
summerfinn · 30/04/2023 20:34

I'm not trying to insult anyone . Considering I had my first child at 22 Idon't know what it's like to be an older mum. It's just a question.

OP posts:
TurquoiseDress · 30/04/2023 20:36

I'd recommend getting the Harmony test done

Think you still have to pay to have it done privately

Or maybe in the NHS at certain hospitals/if you are coming up as high risk (not just based on your age)

I only know one mum personally who had a baby with Down's syndrome- and she was aged 27 when she gave birth

SleepingStandingUp · 30/04/2023 20:36

Gunpowder · 30/04/2023 20:14

I think the bigger fear is twins tbh. I had my third at 37 and it turned out to be 3rd and 4th. It becomes more likely the older you are and the more children you have already had.

Two eggs or split eggs? I know the risk of fraternal twins increases with age but not actually sure on identical? Altho I like to blame our BOGOFF babies on DH rather than me 😂😂

Stephhh87 · 30/04/2023 20:37

Maybe OP isn’t trying to be offensive… maybe she’s been told things by other people?
I had my baby at 40 and several people made comments about my age, some even asked why I had waited so long, (took a long time to conceive btw). Some people in my family had suggested I stop trying as they thought I was getting too old. Anyway they had nothing to worry about as everything went well. :)
So just wondering if OP was maybe told things that made her worry.

anyway OP I know plenty mums who has babies late 30s to late 40s and all had healthy babies.

SleepingStandingUp · 30/04/2023 20:37

Abacusporttaco · 30/04/2023 20:25

Stupid pregnancy feelings. This thread has made me a bit sad.

Nah, tKe comfort in there being lots of us older Mom's who've already done it and get it. Good luck with your pregnancy x

Vintagecreamandcottagepie · 30/04/2023 20:37

The way you worded the question was a bit ignorant.

Plus this question gets asked what feels like daily when the answer is so obvious.

Do what's right for your family. Having a child at 22 may hav3 aged you faster than someone who didn't, you may not want to go back to the nappy years etc etc.

But, no, 37 is not too old for a baby.

Taxitaxiforever · 30/04/2023 20:38

Shocking replies on here. I definitely didn’t read this post as an insult. OP is just asking a question!
I had my third aged 38 and yes I found it quite tiring in comparison with my other two ,but otherwise I was Ok .

SleepingStandingUp · 30/04/2023 20:39

summerfinn · 30/04/2023 20:34

I'm not trying to insult anyone . Considering I had my first child at 22 Idon't know what it's like to be an older mum. It's just a question.

Pretty much the same as a younger Mom.

If you're worried about the gap between your kids, my sisters kids are 24, 21, 6 and 0. The older ones love the little ones and the 6 yo worships his older siblings.

Stephhh87 · 30/04/2023 20:39

SleepingStandingUp · 30/04/2023 20:36

Two eggs or split eggs? I know the risk of fraternal twins increases with age but not actually sure on identical? Altho I like to blame our BOGOFF babies on DH rather than me 😂😂

Show quote history

I think identical twins where the egg splits is more a random occurrence.

two separate eggs either with increasing age (since you’re ovaries are like ‘hey I’m running out I better release more’ (something like that) or it runs in families.

Original poster
summerfinn · 30/04/2023 20:40

Taxitaxiforever · 30/04/2023 20:38

Shocking replies on here. I definitely didn’t read this post as an insult. OP is just asking a question!
I had my third aged 38 and yes I found it quite tiring in comparison with my other two ,but otherwise I was Ok .

It was never my intention to hurt anyone's feeling or insult an older mum. You just read about the stats for downs the older you get the more likely. That terrifies me. I have 14 year old , a three old and I'm almost 37. I am considering another.

OP posts:
CurlewKate · 30/04/2023 20:41

Well, I was 37 when I had my first, so I'd say no!

DemBonesDemBones · 30/04/2023 20:42

@Ragwort did he really?

dishyrishi · 30/04/2023 20:47

DC2 born at 38, it's not old these days

updin · 30/04/2023 20:47

It wouldn't be for me, but the biggest factor is the ages of your others. If your kids were 10+ I'd be asking if you really wanted to start again at 37, but as you've got a 3 year old that's less of an issue. That said, every pregnancy is a roll of the dice, more so as you get older of course (not that 37 is especially advanced), and it was a roll too far for me and a big reason as to why I stuck at 2, to safeguard my current 2 (with time and finances being the other 2 big considerations for me).

Abacusporttaco · 30/04/2023 20:50

SleepingStandingUp · 30/04/2023 20:37

Nah, tKe comfort in there being lots of us older Mom's who've already done it and get it. Good luck with your pregnancy x

Show quote history

Thank you.

Cantthinkofaname2203 · 30/04/2023 20:51

Howtohideasausage · 30/04/2023 20:27

I had my third child at 38 and they are autistic. If that’s relevant, I don’t know.

My brother had a first child at 23 and they are severely autistic.

so no, probably not relevant.

moomoolandie · 30/04/2023 20:51

Fishing post and looking for reactions, do one! 🙅🏻‍♀️

Mummy2mybear · 30/04/2023 20:52

MrsMenmen · 30/04/2023 20:11

Yes you should be spending your time practicing walking with a walking stick not trying for a baby. OfCOURSE it isn't 37 is a normal age to have a baby

🤣👌😂 want a laugh just visit mumsnet 🤣🤣🤣

Kay286 · 30/04/2023 20:53

Nope not too old however I absolutely wouldn’t want to ! I love my kids are now a bit older and I/we have some independence, I see mums starting again at 40 and I’m so glad that’s not me. Each to their own tho

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