Upper age bracket you would consider final baby

[Lacatrina]

I had my first at just turned 33 and my second at 35.(Which for my area is surprisingly on the younger side).
I know it's super personal and situation-dependent but I'd like to know based on these ages, what's the oldest you would leave it to potentially try for a 3rd?
Also interested to know what you think the average age for people to be having kids (especially in London/Greater London) is.

45 when the baby was born. I had all mine in my 30’s, but would have tried until 45 if necessary.

I had my first when I was 31 and my second when I was 34.

My husband was 35 when our second was born and he and there was no way he would consider another as 35 was his cut-off.

I’m 42 now and although I know that’s on the old side to be having a baby, I still feel like I would manage just fine were it to happen.

My limit was 30. I have health problems and felt my best bet would be to go through pregnancy whilst I was still young. I’m 34 and my children are 6 and 7 and I’m happy with how we’ve done it.

This has to be the most ridiculous post I've every read on mumsnet. You think that those of us who had babies in our 40s don't know how to simple maths?

My.cut off was 44. Had dd2 just before mu cut off, at 43.

35 is mine. I want to focus on my career and travelling if I get to 35 and we don’t have more.

Ah yes. We are all massive thickos!

None of mine were really planned so that probably makes a difference to the question, had my first in my early 20's , 2nd in my early 30's and last in my late 30's.
Can't honestly say the later pregnancy was worse than the earlier ones, but then I am blessed with a body that doesn't cause me any issues when pregnant. Tiny babies are hard work regardless of when you have them and I didn't feel worse being sleep deprived at nearly 40 than I did in my early 20's.
I think my cut off would probably be 45 as the absolute max.

30. Although I did end up having 2 more in my early 30's.

Watching this keenly. I'm 37 with a two year old and four year old. Really want a third and I know I shouldnt say but would love to have a girl as I have two boys. I don't mind a rough pregnancy or even difficult birth but really scared of the disabilities risk. I'm telling myself 38/39 is my upper limit. It's just so hard to know what to do. I know lots of mums here will have had babies 40+ and will have healthy children but the risks really do increase. I had to had the nipt test last time.

My limit was 40.
We agreed if i wasn't pregnant by my 40th birthday we'd call time. As it was i was 7m pregnant on my birthday.

Im 41 with a 1 and 3 yr old and i think it would just be too risky for me now.

Personally my cut off was 35
I had my last a few months before my 35th birthday. I felt spent from having babies and my body had a fair few medical issues too.

I think it’s a very personal decision depending on your circumstances.

My limit would be 35 but I had my last baby at 32

I always said 40 was my limit, until I tried to conceive baby number two and had a series of miscarriages and a ruptured ectopic. Currently 42 and 25 weeks pregnant. When I found out I was pregnant this time round though I did say to my husband that if this one didn’t work out, that was it, I couldn’t try again.

Just telling you what I did, had my first at 32, second at 34, third - lost baby girl at 24 weeks pregnant when I was 36, had my third (fourth really) at nearly 39 and had planned to stop trying if I hadn't succeeded within another year of then. The longer gap, though due to a tragic loss, was actually lovely, I really enjoyed my time with my last one, and her big brothers who were at school by then adored her. All young adults now. Every day since I have thought how lucky I am to have them. I have often thought that I would have gone on trying as long as I could if circumstances meant I hadn't had any children. However Biscuitsneeded makes a good point about being older as they grow. My mum had me when she was 23 and she got to see her grandchildren grow up which was lovely, but I didn't have that choice. There is no right answer, but I wish you luck and hope you get the family you want. The average age of parenthood has been steadily going up, so you won't be alone!

I don't think it'd put a number on it if I wanted another one, eg I don't think I could desperately be trying all year when I'm 39 then the moment I turn 40 decide to switch off that yearning and stop because I'm 40.

Well I’m 35 and haven’t. Started my family yet. Only met my partner last year so I’m optimistic it will happen sooner rather then later but my mum had me at 43 so I’m happy with that age too.

Maybe mid 40s? I think some of it is age gap and family history though as if I had a baby in my mid 40s my older ones would be secondary age or older and I'm likely to have an earlier menopause. I wouldn't want to be wrangling 3 small children whilst going through that.

Thanks everyone so much for replying! It's really interesting and helpful to get insight from other people

Had my last at 35 last year, wouldn't want anymore any older than that so got sterilised but she was my fourth, I think if I didn't have any children already I'd say 37-38

I had DD at 41 and that’s done for me. I wouldn’t feel safe to try again.

38, seeing as I know a few in late thirties/early forties on hrt

40 but now l am 48 l wouldn't want a 7/8 year old!