What is the eldest which you would consider a last baby

[onlyoranges]

I know we have talked about this before but I am sure there are new people here since then. What would be your upper age limit for that last baby?

I always said 30 but snuck DC4 in at 31. Many friends my age (35) are having their first or second now, it seems old to me. I found pregnancy and the first couple of years much, much harder at 30 and 31 than it was at 19 and 23.

I've given myself until 35, if I haven't decided by then I'll stick at 2.

I will be 33. Getting my tubes tied after this birth.

36 and pregnant with DC5 - a lot of people have told me that this is young for a parent of a big family however (i think this is because me and DH have been together since 15 so could start earlier with having children), my limit would have to be 37.

Had my last (no.8) at 42 first at 30 felt no different in terms of pregnancy or birth just more aware of stats for negative outcomes at older age.

I'm 37 currently and am planning 1 more, hopefully by the time I am 40

For me it was more about the length of time I've been doing the pregnancy young baby thing. I had first at 27 and fourth and last at 37. No difference in pregnancies/births but I feel I've given 10 years to being pregnant and having babies and I'm done now. I know loads of women who have had babyies in their 40s, I don't think anyone would bat an eyelid.

Had our 3rd and last at 31, I would like to adopt in the next few years maybe in 5 years when I'd be 42

Pregnancy is so tough on the body and the older you are the harder to get figure back/ have the energy for the gym

Also I know mothers who had kids at 45/46 and gosh they are very Nan like and other children think they're Nans etc. I wonder how they'll be coping financially as well with children at uni when they're retired / had to take early retirement due to ageism

Being a mum is all about having fun, being lively, new experiences, having energy So max for me is 35

I had my 4th and last at 26, but that was me, I had them all close. my mum had number 4 at 39. Everyone is different.

50 and would happily have anothet

I am utterly astounded that some would consider it into their 50's. I'm in my 30's and exhausted!

I said 30 would be my maximum age and I had last one at 27.

I've just had one at 31, 32 and 34 (she's 6 months now). I have awful pregnancies so am very torn about more. I am wondering if I'd consider another but I need a break. At the same time I'd prefer them close in age both for me to get the hell of pregnancies and the various stages (breastfeeding/nappies!!) over with and also for them to move through life at a similar pace and hopefully as close friends. I wonder would another 2 at 38 and 39 work for us? Or should I take a deep breath and have just one more but soonish. 3 under 3 has been tough at times. Every day has a highly stressful patch, sometimes 5 highly stressful patches! Is it like this for everyone with kids I wonder...

I think 42 is the latest I'd consider.

I find this really hard to decide, I had my youngest son at 19, followed by 22, 29, 31. I'm not sure Hubbie is ready to stop (he would love a girl!) but now I'm 33 I wonder what age I can do it again? I found my 4th pregnancy v hard and oddly I worried more about everything - maybe that's an age thing!

I'm considering trying again at 45. Only had miscarriages though so possibly not feeling lucky.

Had plenty of kids though, just not given birth to one yet.

And I'm not 'Nan like'

My last one was born 2 months before I turned 44.

I would have tried for another after her but we had to move, change jobs, then I had cancer so that was that. A schoolfriend had her last one at 47, so that sort of age?

(only started having irregular periods at 52 so probably would have been possible)

I'm 29 expecting baby number 1 I would stop at 48

35 maybe? I had no 3 at 32 so that gives me a few years to decide whether to go for no 4 or shut up shop for good!

I would defo rather have (and did) enjoy my 20s, my independence as an adult, travelling, sooooooooo many great nights out (followed by lie ins/days on the couch!), very little responsibility etc and/or wait for the right person and not settle due to ticking clock and end up having babies later if that's what it meant. If you want to settle down in your 20s great but I'd see that as the exception rather than the norm.

I think the ideal is baby making in your 30s but I wouldn't stop til early-mid 40s if that's how things worked out. I was lucky that in my life I got to have mine in my 30s (currently 37 & expecting no.4) and I 100% would not have wanted to miss out on everything that came before!

The comment that mums in their 40s are like grandmothers is just cruel, and ridiculous. Young mums can be "Nan-ish" and older mums can be youthful, depends on the person, not their age and unless they're exceptionally wrinkly I can't imagine them getting mistaken for a Nan!

Best of luck LaurieFairyCakes!

I was 42, planned no 4 and got no4 & 5!

As long as you're fit and healthy and able to conceive, i don't think it matters. As long as you remember your chance of multiples is higher