How many children did you have over the age of 30?

[Sadiemoon]

Hello, me and my husband have been together 11 years but only now have had our first daughter (she’s now 4 months). I never really wanted children but after having her I really want 4/5! I will be 32 this year, I just wanted to know if anyone out there has had 5 children between the age of 30 to 40 if that makes sense? We are worried now that we have left it too late and we really would like a big family 😀

I don't have a big family but I wouldn't worry at all. I just had my first at 38 and am not the oldest mum round here by a long shot- you're still young!

Well, I had my kids as follows
Dc1, 1999, Me 29,
Dc2, 2001, me 30,
Dc3, 2003, me 33,
Dc4, 2008, me 38.

I would say, when they are little, it is hard work, but uncomplicated.

Now I have 4 kids, the logistics and the school stuff, keeping on top of everything, and basically looking after 6 people of hideously stressful. Think long term, VC and what the future might look like. And anyway you do not know how it might work out. My first 2 are only 18 months apart. They were like twins, very very close. Wanted the same for 3&4. Didn't happen. Gave up. Then years later, total surprise, came dc4.

Love them all. But logistics of 4, in 3 different schools, is s bloody nightmare

Yes!

Dd1 34 (sadly she was stillborn)
Dd2 35
Dd3 37
Dd4 39
Dd5 40

My first two were born 10 months apart and was a very difficult year to have had two babies but losing 1. Then there is a gap of 19, 20 and 22 months and my surviving dds are 11, 9, 7 and 6.

DS1 22
(DD1 I didn’t have but I would have been 27)
DD2 28
DD3 34
DD4 37
DD5 (due in a few weeks) 39!

So I had three in that period but with a big age gap (because of ex-H leaving). The gap between DD3 and DD4 was slightly bigger than I’d have liked (3 years 5 months) too so I reckon having five at 30, 33, 35, 37, 39 would have been feasible.

I love the size of my family! And you may have a second/third and decide that’s perfect for you.

4 aged 33 onwards, last one at 40.

When I had my youngest I was on the post natal ward with several woman who were the same ages as me and having thier first.

It is do-able but I think I have less energy than some of my younger friends who have have 4 or 5 DC's but started a decade or more earlier. I have to really look after myself otherwise I get run down very easily.

Crucial For it all to work IMO is a very supportive partner and enough money to make life a bit easier (Ocado was my sanity saver, I ordered everything from nappies to treat food and mascara). DH also has the option to work from home fairly regularly which is also a life saver with 4DC.

Thanks so far all of you for sharing your stories and it’s lovely to hear that you have all managed to have a large family in your 30s. Thanks for all the advice and I know it would be challenging to have so many children but I’m just enjoying it so much! Thanks for your advice on making sure you look after yourself as I did struggle bad with low iron during pregnancy. Do you have any tips on ways that you have found helpful with looking after yourselves? Thanks again X

DD1 30
(MC at 31)
DD2 32
DS 36

We're done but I reckon we could squeeze in another 1 or 2 if we wanted! We've been incredibly lucky, we've only had 5 months ever of no contraception and conceived in 4 of them. DP is also 13 years my senior. But you cannot know these things in advance, I'd just take it all one step at a time but I do appreciate that that is easy for me to say. Good luck!

(1 of my pregnancies ended in an (early) mc but I still consider us to be lucky in conception terms overall, although of course the mc was very sad)

I have 7 dc
dd3 age 32
Ds1 age 33
Dd 4 and 5 age 35
Ds2 age 36.

I had five dc in exactly four years , although that includes a set of twins.

Three

I had 3 in my 20's and then 2 in my 30's. There is 8 years between dc1 and dc5.

I had 4 between 34 and 44.

My ex’s dm had 4 after she was 30.

I think all before she was 39.

My dgm had 4, 1st at 32 last at 40.

I had DD1 aged 26
DS1aged 28
DS2 aged 32

DD2 aged 34
I am now 36 and We are currently trying for number 5 and definately havnt ruled out a number 6.
I dont think you've left it too late at all.

Had first at 33, second at 35, and then had twins just a couple of weeks beforeI turned 38. So had 4 in four and a half years. After that my husband was determined to have the snip!

2 before 30, 3 after.

Two before 30 and one at 30!

I was 30, 35 and 37.

To be honest I struggled with my last pregnancy but I think that's because I have very difficult pregnancies and was working almost full time.

I had dc in my teens, 20's,30's, and 40's!!
At 30 I was 8 months pregnant with dc 6!

I had all mine in my 30s - at 32, 34 & 37.

In some ways I wish I'd started earlier (to be younger & fitter if I ever get to be a grandmother!) but mostly I'm happy like this. I packed quite a lot into my 20s and feel mostly more relaxed and patient to go at little person pace now. If I had a 'big' career I was anxious to get back to it would be harder to watch my own years slip away, but I don't.

I think the key for me (and my personal sanity) was to get each baby sleeping through the night and out (or nearly out) of nappies and buggies before having the next one. And to make sure I got my body completely fit and recovered after each pregnancy (got back to my pre-pregnancy size, even if only for a couple of months) each time before starting the next pregnancy.

I have 6 with an 11 year gap overall.

DS - 27
DD1 - 29
DD2 - 33
DD3 - 37
DDs 4 & 5 - 39 (twins)

We only planned to have 4 but one failed pill later and I was pregnant with twins. DD3 is only 15 months older than the DTs and it was very hard work having 3 under 2, but since they've been at school it has been a lot easier, and they get on really well now usually. More like triplets!

I had 3 DC, first was born when I was 34.

31, 32, 34 and 36. I'd 4 under 5.

Stressful to be honest.

I had 3 in my 30s (eldest was born when I was 31). I’d have liked a 4th at the time but DH put his foot down!

I have to admit that DH was right and I’m now very pleased we stopped at 3! I agree with Ernest about the logistics of several children now they’re all doing different after school activities etc.