Having a baby in your 40s

[freyaA11]

Has anyone had a baby in their 40s?

I’m 41 and I’m really starting to get broody and wondered if it’s too late? I have a regular menstrual cycle and am fit and healthy, maybe a little overweight but that’s it.

Just wondering if it is still possible 🙏🏻

Of course it’s possible, and very common. Statistically it will take you longer to get pregnant/have a miscarriage/have pregnancy complications (not that you will, just facts!). All you could do is start trying, and possibly pay for private fertility testing for you and your partner.

You must know it’s possible, women do it all the time. Do you have a partner or would you need assistance? I had my second just before I turned 40, conceived first cycle.

i read today that woman who have late pregnancies live longer.

It used to be very common for woman to have late babies - if you want one get trying!

Its absolutely possible but if you need to look at you own personal circs and decide.

I had mine at 38 and 40 and after the 2nd realised I was "too old" for a third.
beyond the practicalities of 3 under 5 and a demanding FT job...

I couldnt risk me acquiring more serious long term health problems (i developed a kidney problem in 2nd pregnancy) and / or a disabled child... either would have tipped us over the edge.

If i was child free and in good health my cut off would prob have been 43 or 44...

Im 42 now and based on my own biology quite confident i could have a 3rd if I wanted...

Yes, but you would need to start trying very soon. Dont leave it months.

Friend of mine from a mum group had a baby at 42 (and a half or thereabouts), and there was another mum aged 42 in one baby class we went to.

I am 42 and currently 26 weeks pregnant with my first baby so it is definitely possible

I had my first at 39 and second at 44. I’m nearly 48 now and would love another but I’m just getting my life back in order after the chaos of babies and toddlers, however my age wouldn’t be what stopped me.

I think you’ll only regret if you don’t try, if you’re feeling like this? I tried from 36, had a TFMR at 38 for T18 and managed to have a healthy baby 4 days before my 40th. He’s an absolute joy. I am ruined 🤣. My hips are so sore, I’m tired, my eyes are puffy, my hair is still falling out… but he is the absolute best and we are so happy and lucky we have him here

Everyone's fertility is different/personal to them, so ultimately you don't know until you try. I had mine at 39 & 45 (both natural/unassisted - took a while to conceive though) so yes, definitely possible. Both pregnancies were smooth & children healthy. Good luck x

As someone else said everyone is different fertility wise. When my DH had a wobble when we turned 40 and wanted a second, I said we'll try for a year and if nothing happens stop, thinking there was no way. Fell pregnant on the first try, obviously wouldn't change it for the world, so had DD2 at 41, and yes with work and navigating what I think is now perimenopause with a 3 year old and 10 year old can feel like a lot at times, it's been manageable, just hoping they'll keep me young 😂

Yes. That pretty much described me . Conceived naturally, by accident in fact. Partner was 59 . Offspring is now 18 and at university. He is undoubtedly the best thing that ever happened to me!

No need to answer if you’re not comfortable but was it a natural conception?

I had a baby last year at 44 (natural conception) and it’s been wonderful, I had my first at 18 so I’ve got the other end of the spectrum and in between for comparison. However being realistic, chances of conceiving go down rapidly after 39 and dramatically after 42 and the chance of early miscarriage goes up

I had DD2 aged 42. Natural conception, no miscarriages, easy pregnancy and planned elcs, breastfed with no problems. No health issues or sign of perimenopause yet. D2 is aged 3 now and is healthy and meeting all developmental targets. I'm a sahm so not having to juggle work on top of parenting, and I get a break now she's in morning preschool.

I had a baby at 43 with no problems or issues at all.

Just been to a gig and danced for 2 hours with the now 24 year old.

Within the overall stats everyone is an individual.

If you’re up for it, go for it.

I feel ancient at 38 (pregnancy/baby/new mum wise ) can't imagine it. But if it's your first and you want a baby go for it. You won't regret being a mother. But, go into it with your eyes open. You're far more likely to not get pregnant at all, far more likely to miscarry , far more likely to have pregnancy complications and a challenging labour. Far more likely to have a baby born with downs syndrome or other genetic differences. Sorry to sound all doom and gloom. Motherhood is wonderful, but being in your 40s will just carry much higher failure rates and risks. Good luck 🍀

It was very normal back in the day. My dad is 1 of 15 children. My oldest DA was born when ny DGM was 17 and my youngest DA was born when my grandmother was 45.

It is all down to genetics and environment.
It would be worth TTC for 3 months naturally without tracking and then get some.blood work down and some basic Diagnostics sooner rather then later as you don't have the time to play with compared to someone who is 30 who can afford to wait 12/24 months.

I am 38 and we are TTC baby no.3 i would love 4 so our cut off is 43. We got married later in life so it was out of our hands.
But already I can see issues as I have had 3 chemicals back to back. But I am also still breast feeding on demand my 15 month old aaaaaand after extensive research from fertility Drs prolactin is no beuno for some women who want to concieve and they all said to stop nursing as it is linked to early miscarriage but also my maternal age is compounding that. We are 4 months away from weaning DC2 but close to 40 and over 40 miscarriages eapecially firat 6 weeks is 50% much higher then mid 30s and younger. That is quiet high.
And when I look on Fertility friend at the charts when I filter 38> only 30% are getting pregnant and staying pregnant compared to 35< where the stats are 38%.

No it was IVF but not due to any fertility issues - I had IVF as I’m doing it alone using a donor. I was successful on my 4th attempt

I got pregnant by accident when I was nearly 40. I’d never wanted children and thought I couldn’t conceive. Apparently my ovaries had different ideas!

Pregnancy was textbook, baby was breech so had a planned c-section and everything was fine.

My mum had me at 44 and my sister had her third at 38 so being an older mum runs in the family.

When I researched my family tree it became clear many women had had children well into their 40s.

My best advice is get a move on and, like PP said, if nothing happens in 3 months, see your doctor. Good luck!

I was 43 when our DS was born. This was in the 00s. The demographic in our area of town - 50 mins out of London, sky high house prices - was that the average local baby group mother was about 5 years younger than me. I definitely didn't feel that 5 years made much difference. We had a long journey to parenthood so I was probably a lot more up for it. I was much too elated to be tired

I had my DD at 42. Got pregnant first try. Other women in my family have had babies naturally at 43, 44 and 48. I guess we’re a fertile bunch but all fine with healthy babies!

I had my second at 42 after a 13 year gap. It was fine!

I had a baby at 40 then another when I was 45. Both naturally conceived. Both fabulous boys.