Is 35 too old to have a baby?

[Poodlezzz]

Thinking energy wise, health issues, not having a huge multi generational age gap as they grow, being an old grandparent, and other practicalities….

Not at all. I work with women around that age who haven't started their families yet.

For me, personally, yes. I'm 35. I have a disability and already have 2 DC though aged almost 14 and 12, so I can't say how I'd feel if I hadn't had kids yet.

No. I was 34.5 with DS, nearly 38 with dd. They are 30 and 27 now. I am 64. I had lots of energy when they were small and relatively still do at 64.

Their perspective on life has helped keep me "young".

Of course not.

Of course not. I had my second at 35 and have several friends who had their first at this age. I'm feeling a bit tired at 39 sometimes after two kids, so think I'm two and done.

I had my first at 37. Of course 35 is not too old-but you know that.

Not in the slightest, had mine at 34 and 35, planning another at 38!

Good lord no!

It's pretty standard where I am. I was 34.5 when I had DS and most of the mums at the baby groups etc were 33-38 and the odd one teens or very early 20s not much in between

Probably near average these days. It is in my circles anyway. Personally I’d say over 40 is pushing it.

I think it depends on everyone’s personal circumstances 🤷🏻‍♀️
I was really young when I had mine - I’d barely turned 20 when my eldest was born. I’d just turned 22 with DC2, and 24 with DC3.
I’d got married in my late teens, and looking back at it now, I’m horrified. I was still a child myself in many ways - a couple of kids playing house. Not surprising to anyone that I got divorced when DC3 was a baby.
I’m now in my early 30’s. I’ll be 38 when DC1 turns 18. For me, I can’t think of anything worse than having another baby in the next few years - but that’s because we are now over the hurdle of the baby/toddler years, DCs are a lot more independant. Selfish? Maybe. But I’m getting a taste of the freedom I didn’t have in my 20’s 🤷🏻‍♀️
Lots of my friends who are in their mid-late 30’s had children in the past few years, so are in the thick of it with babies/toddlers….but that’s was the right time for them. They’d met the right person, had a solid relationship/marriage, were financially sorted, had established careers etc - all the things I didn’t have.
So I see both sides of the coin!

I had mine at 32 and 39. For DC1 I was one of the younger mums at primary school.

I guess that depends on the person's energy levels, fitness, health and lifestyle.

Personally, I was at prime fitness in my 30s, had a demanding job with long hours, an active social life, still pulled the odd all nighter every now and then. If anyone suggested I wouldn't have the energy, I'd have laughed. Hardly geriatric, is it?

If someone is in poor health, then that changes things.

No. I think it's quite a regular age for many people to have kids. Some start earlier but I'd say most women I know with kids had one of them around that age.

My mum had me at 41, in the late 70s, my nan had her kids between 35- 42 and that was in the 1940s. My neighbour has two kids and the eldest was when she was 39.

As long as you want a child then there's no reason not to go ahead and try. Your age shouldn't be a barrier emotionally or physically.

I had DD1 just before turning 35 and DD2 at 37 (and a half! 😅). I did worry about all those things you've listed, but I also am very well established in my career and was able to buy a house in London before having DC. I think the pros of that probably equalise the negatives that you list in your OP.

For me personally, yes. But I'll be outnumbered by opposite responses.

Absolutely not. I had my first at 35 and second at 39. I maybe 60 but still go to gigs with my eldest who’s now 25. We have very similar tastes in music despite the age gap.

I'm 35 and currently pregnant with #2. So I don't think so.

Noooooooooo of course not! 35 is fine. Anything over 42-43 is too old to have a baby IMO. 35 is fine. Good luck!

I'd say it is a very normal age to have DC these days. I'm 35 and am hoping to have a third soon.

Honestly 35 isn’t old at all. I had my DD at 21 she’s 12 now. I’m only 33 but couldn’t imagine having another child now with a 12 year old as she’s so independent now and I’m at a different stage in life. Did I plan to have a child at 21? No I wanted to wait until my 30’s. If I didn’t have my DD now at 33 would I have a child? Yes I would. My aunty is 42 and her youngest is 8. It’s all dependent on the individual. My sister is 30 and nowhere near ready for kids but does want them xxx

Nope

It's totally down to personal choice whether you feel it's too old for you. But countless people have babies at 35+ every day. It's fine.

I had my first at 31 and due to secondary infertility only had my second at 37. I feel great in myself and I'm very thankful I get to have another child. My own parents are active and in their 60s so completely normal grandparent ages. I have many many friends aged 35-40 who are having babies, for some it's their first and for others it's their last hurrah.

I had a baby at 34, 28 years ago. I was NOT too old!

On my 35th birthday I had a 6 week old and a 21 month old. It was fine!

Bloody hard work of course but I think I had much more patience in my 30s and more ready for the enormous sacrifices of motherhood.

Of course not; I was 34 when I had mine.