How old is Too old for another?

[ffsrainagain]

I'm mid thirties and already have children. Thinking about having another but worried about my age. Anyone had subsequent children in their mid to late thirties and everything been ok? I'm aware anything past 35 is referred to as "geriatric" but not sure of increased risks?

You don’t get treated any differently when you’re mid to late thirties than when you’re younger. I believe it’s only when you reach 40 that your age is taken more into consideration for consultant appointments etc. I’m 37 and my age has never been brought up.

There are plenty of women in their mid to late 30s having children. Sure there’s a slight increase in risk but I actually had a lower risk of Down syndrome etc in my tests in my late 30s to when I was early 30s so there are no guarantees.

I had a baby at 36 and everything was fine. I’m currently pregnant again at 43. My aunt had two kids at 50 and 52 and babies were fine.

I'm 37 and currently pregnant with my first, due in just over a week. I've had a really straightforward pregnancy and have been treated as low risk with all appointments, I know a few people at the moment who have recently given birth in a similar age range who also haven't had any complications so I think you should go for it! Good luck!

I'm 36 pregnant with my 2nd and my age hasn't been mention. I think late 30s in to early 40s isn't considered particularly 'old'

I'm currently 39 weeks pregnant with DC#2 and I'm almost 37 years old. They have logged me as a geriatric mother this time but nothing else has been mentioned about my age. Very healthy pregnancy so far x

Yes had 2 more babies in late 30s and everything fine

I don't think mid thirties is classed as old in society now. I would decide and start trying sooner rather than later to improve your chances but I wouldn't consider it old.

I'd be more concerned about physical fitness and general health than age. I'm 39, 26 weeks and on the 'green' pathway (i.e. low risk).

My gran was in late 40s and her mum was 51!! The babies were fine

I referred to my age (37) at a consultant visit and he told me that I wasn't over 40 so age wasn't a factor in my birth options. We are likely logged as geriatrics but it doesn't seem to make a difference in your later 30s

Thankyou for everyone's replies. It's reassuring to know medically it shouldn't be a problem. I also worry about being judged at the school gates though for being in my fourties' when another baby starts school, being mistaken for grandma or something 😂

Nobody should ever assume anything at the school gates! One of my Mum friends became a granny at 39 (!) but had a baby of her own later that year. Another Mum was in her late fifties with a five year old - he was adopted. Yet another Mum could pass as an older sister of her child etc etc.

Fair point @Thankyouthankyoujellybean , Thankyou

Loads of women have babies in their late 30s and early 40s. Whether that be first babies or subsequent babies. Yes risks go up, increased risk of chromosomal anomalies, pre eclampsia, diabetes, high BP, CS… however plenty of women have safe, normal, successful pregnancies and births.
35-39 no one bats an eyelid now.
I’m almost 37 pregnant with #3, it’s definitely harder this time but no different health issues

I'm 35 , pregnant with #4.

I had my other children all before I was 25.

I've often felt I was treated differently at the school gates for being a young mum, and alot of my mum friends are in their late 40s.

I wont lie, I'm finding this pregnancy harder than the others but whether thats age or just the general stresses of having teenagers in the house - I guess we will never know.

I say go for it, if thats what you want - we only regret the things we didnt do!

I had mine at 39 & 45. The only difference at 45 was that I had a consultant (whom I never met, spoke on the phone but that was it) oversee my care because of my age but everything turned out fine. I mentioned to my midwife that I was worried about my age when expecting DC2 but she wasn't concerned at all, said that most of her ladies were late 30's up to late 40's and it wasn't a concern. The only other difference was that I was due to be induced a few days before my due date with my second because of my age but that was it. Both born healthy. It's a gamble to a certain extent whatever age you are, so I wouldn't let your age stop you from trying. I suspect that I'm one of the oldest mums at DC1's school by 5 - 10 years but no-one has ever said anything or even looked at me funny its been fine so I wouldn't worry about that either. Good luck OP.

I had my DCs at 34 and 37. When I was pregnant with my youngest my two female cousins and SIL were also pregnant with their second children. I was the youngest! I was also told by the midwife who did my initial appointment at the hospital I gave birth at that I was young for that hospital (that probably is a result of the demographics of the area that the hospital is situated in.)

I'm 38 next month and fingers crossed all going well (6 weeks tomorrow) 🤞 im expecting my first.
While I haven't had a child yet , there's lots of women past and present have been having children in their 30s and 40s without issue. I'm not sure why nowadays would be any different?

I'd say 43 to be pregnant is the oldest.

By NHS standards, 40 is the upper limit of a lower risk pregnancy. Obviously though, it is gradual and the risk doesn’t suddenly escalate the day you turn 40. It depends on your lifestyle too. People these days look younger and that must translate to DNA age. Having first at 38(was 37 when conceived). If I still want to after giving birth, I will try to squeeze in one more child before 40 mainly because I would be too anxious after that.

I think this is such a regional thing. I was 32 with my first and 36 with my second and I'm considered a young mum around these parts! I barely know anyone who had a child in their 20s, so most of the school mums are late 30s or over 40.

My own personal cutoff is 40, but that's because I already have 2. If I were getting started now, I think maybe 43 or 45?

Had mine at 41 and 43. All ok.

I had my first at 18 and last at nearly 40, definitely felt less judged being an older mum, in fact not really judged at all being an older mother and have never really heard anyone make judgements about any other older mothers either