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Original poster

Is 38 too old to have a baby?

79 replies

TheFunk · 19/08/2015 14:36

A bit of background...currently 38 and so is my current partner. Neither of us already have children, both of us would like to have them, if possible.

Is 38 too old to try and conceive or have a baby?

OP posts:

RabbitIsRich · 19/08/2015 14:38

Goodness no! Why would you think such a thing?

mrschatty · 19/08/2015 14:38

How do you feel? Do you feel to old? Only you can answer that!
Loads of ladies on here who have had babies well into 40s so I'm sure you will have plenty of advice coming soon!

hellsbellsmelons · 19/08/2015 14:40

Absolutely not!
My friend has just had a baby at 39.
She's a fantastic mum.
Go for it.

BeautifulBatman · 19/08/2015 14:40

If it is, I'm screwed! I'm 40, dh is 46 and we're due our first dc in 8 weeks

BikeRunSki · 19/08/2015 14:42

Not if you want to try. I had mine at 37 and 40 ????

BeautifulBatman · 19/08/2015 14:45

I do think that I'd have had a less stressful pregnancy without the worry of trisomy abnormalities, pre eclampsia, being called a geriatric mother etc - thankfully my baby and pregnancy, health wise, has been trouble free. And we're in a comfortable position so I haven't got to worry about returning to work for financial reasons. I may find it more tiring that someone younger than me, but I'm a fairly young and fit 40 so all my energy can go into the baby. I'm excited and I don't think it could have happened at a better time for us.

bobsbusy · 19/08/2015 14:48

Then I waited till I was too old!

OscarWinningActress · 19/08/2015 15:01

It is for me, but might not be for you :) I had all three of mine between ages 25 and 30 and have just got my life back. Am in the best shape of my life and happier than I've ever been before, have more time with DH and am really enjoying parenting two pre-teens and one teenager. We are more comfortable now, kids are in school and so I can concentrate on my passions: my horse and my dogs. Having a baby now would be my worst nightmare. I got that all out of the way in my twenties...no way I want to cope with chasing toddlers and sleepless nights now.

Hemlockinthegarden · 19/08/2015 15:05

No I had one at 41,

MyCatIsABiggerBastardThanYours · 19/08/2015 15:08

I had my DS at 39. I know several women who had babies in their 40s.

Alt.ough at 38 I'd suggest you don't procrastinate too long

SnozzberryPie · 19/08/2015 15:12

Well it might be better to have a baby at 30 than 38, but that isn't an option, your choice is whether to have one at 38 or not at all.

I had my DD at 34 and am pregnant with dc2 at 37. I am a bit more knackered this time but that's probably more to do with having a toddler. It is definitely doable and touch wood I haven't had any major problems.

contractor6 · 19/08/2015 15:14

Nope, I was 37 when conceived and will be 38 when give birth.

SirVixofVixHall · 19/08/2015 15:15

I had my first at 41 and my second at 43. Conceived with the ease of a teenager each time. 38 is pretty common these days isn't it? Most of my friends had their first at around 37/38

GoooRooo · 19/08/2015 15:16

I had my first at 37 and now pregnant again and due just after I turn 41. What worries you about your age?

Quietlifenotonyournelly · 19/08/2015 15:22

Definitely not too old, I had DS 4 at 41 and had no problems, in fact had a better pregnancy than I did with the other DCs over 20 years ago! I say go for it

Rarity08 · 19/08/2015 15:32

I had dc3 at 38. Not too old at all.

winkywinkola · 19/08/2015 15:35

I had one at 42. All fine.

Go for it!

BathtimeFunkster · 19/08/2015 15:36

Not too old at all.

Although I wouldn't be hanging around if we both wanted them with each other and were confident in the relationship lasting.

qazxc · 19/08/2015 15:39

absolutely not. If you and your partner want children and can offer them a loving and stable home, go for it!
I had DD at 37.

SuperFlyHigh · 19/08/2015 15:41

I know of several women friends, neighbour who have conceived and had healthy babies in 30s and 40s, acquaintance was 43/44

carameldecaflatte · 19/08/2015 15:41

Not at all! I had my son at 44 and apart from a bit more stiffness from sitting on the floor with him we're doing just fine!

SuperFlyHigh · 19/08/2015 15:42

Caramel I know of several of my mum's friends who had 'surprises' at 46/47 even. babies perfectly healthy. my boss - his mum had him when she was 45.

SuperFlyHigh · 19/08/2015 15:43

article on this quoting fertility expert (I think) Jean Twenge:-

www.telegraph.co.uk/women/womens-health/10838177/Why-fertility-is-far-from-finished-at-40.html

CakeRattleandRoll · 19/08/2015 15:46

I had DC1 at age 40 and DC2 at age 42, and no, I don't feel too old. (Plus I was too busy doing other stuff in my 20s and early 30s, not ready to start a family and then took years to find the right bloke.)

Having said that, we started ttc when I was 38 and went through an ectopic, IVF and pre-eclampsia before we got our two DCs. Maybe that would have happened anyway, whatever my age, maybe not. But if you and your partner know you both want a child(ren), my advice would be to start trying sooner rather than later.

Lightbulbon · 19/08/2015 15:51

Well you can't time travel so there's no point dwelling on what could have been.

A pregnancy at 38 is harder and riskier than at 28 but it's not so old to say you shouldn't try. But don't assume that it will happen at all.

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