Is 37 too much old to have a third child?

[summerfinn]

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?

Old 🙄🙄🙄

I was almost 44 when had mini blondes

Yes as you get older a higher risk you may have a child with sn

If you can't deal with that then no don't have another child at 37 just in case

Considering Im having my first at 33 (and one of the first of my friends!) I think 37 is a perfectly reasonable and rational age to have a child. Whatever number it is!

Nope, had third (DD) at 39, she's now 13. No issues with pregnancy, birth & definitely still enjoying being a mum. Would have considered another but after 3 CC was advised to stop.

Well you could do some research instead of insulting half of mumsnet.

I think people are being harsh to the OP. OP, no of course it's not too old - it's obviously possible- but obviously there are factors to consider. A woman in her late 30s is more likely to give birth to a child with a disability than a woman in her 20s for instance. That might not matter to some people of course.

Must be so hard/annoying to post stuff here.

“are you trying to be deliberately insulting?”

the post isn’t about any of you people. OP is simply asking a question.

you are just ancient and butt hurt.

and no OP you’re fine. My aunt had a baby at 47.

Yes I definitely did not read your post as an insult and you are correct that generally the older a Mother is the higher the risk of problems,particularly Downs .
There is screening available to reassure you and I personally think you are being very sensible to factor in the risks with your decision making.
Try and not be offended by some of the replies …!

Personally I don't think it's too old. I am currently pregnant with my second and I will be close to 37 when they arrive all being well. No one has mentioned to me that they think I am too old but not told many people yet.

There is a slight increase in risk but it is still fairly low when you do your research. Like others have said you can also have the NIPT test as well. I have a few friends who had babies in later 30s and early 40s and all has been ok. It's all down to personal preference etc x

Ancient and butt hurt 😅

Erm, nope.

I was fitter when I had my third at 37 than when I had my first two in my twenties. Better pregnancy and labour.
I did get a comment from MIL that there would be comments at the school gate because his mum looks so old compared to everyone else.
I don't, I think the really young mums are more rare these days.

Yeah i knew that about the non identical, I'll revert to blaming DH and his mighty sperm. Apparently the runs in family thing is not well known as mine as clearly identical and everyone asks for mine and DHs family history.

I had my 3 when I was 36, 38 and 40. My youngest has a CHD but that has nothing to do with me being older when I had her.

If you're terrified of having a child with a disability, I'd factor in early genetic screening so you can make a decision as early as possible.

37 too old for a baby? Cheeky fucker.
Read the room!!

One would assume asking a forum of mothers is research.
I am of the demographic and fail to see how she is insulting me.

I came on mumsnet when I was 38 and asked if I was too old to have a third baby and so many people told me it was too risky and selfish, and not fair on my existing kids (and the planet). I ignored everyone and got pregnant straight away, easy pregnancy, healthy baby, perfect little toddler now.

So you has your first at 22, but also have a three year old? And you’re struggling to imagine being a mum again at 37?

Come off it. Like fuck this wasn’t meant to be a antagonistic.

I’m annoyed that you’ve antagonised me and made me feel a bit shit.

A lot of people seem to be taking this unnecessarily personally. We all grew up with the message that 35+ was a "geriatric" pregnancy, it was spoken about widely, I certainly had it drummed into me, the only positive thing people could say to me when I was pregnant young was that I was a "healthy age for it"!

That may be outdated now but those feelings haven't come from prejudice but previous medical advice! perhaps all these people laughing at the ridiculousness of the question would be able to provide some actual evidence as to why the OP needn't worry rather than laughing, insulting or giving random anecdotal stories. If you're so sure of how fine it is, that shouldn't be difficult!

37 is hardly an older parent. 47 yes. Having children in your 30s is the norm now so any child with a 37 year old parent will blend in.

Society may have changed but science hasn't!

No. I had my dd at 38, she's 17 now and lights up my life.

And I've no idea why women here are taking this personally when, as a pp said, the concept of 35 being the beginning of the danger zone was drummed into many of us. I had my last baby when I was 39 and knew I was definitely creeping towards 'older pregnant woman', if not already there. It didn't make me feel anything other than extra relieved that everything happened quickly and the baby was fine. I'm not offended by OP's post at all and think it's a fair enough question, one I wondered myself.

Meaning?

You should be thinking about slowing down at your age. Take up knitting and start thinking about retirement 🙄

Ha! Quite! I was 40.