Average age of first-time mothers is now 30 - how old were you?

[KateMumsnet]

Hello all

Research published yesterday shows that the average British woman is now having her first child at the age of 30 - and we wondered whether this matches MNers' own experiences. So do share your thoughts - are you bang on average, or under, or over? Does it matter - and would you make the same decision again, given the chance?

The partner I had at 30 was most definitely not father material.

I was 29 but only 2 weeks off my 30th birthday.

34, had planned to have first a couple of years earlier but struggled to conceive, and struggled again for no 2. My only regret now is if I'd been in a position to have children younger I might have had a bigger family. But now am too old for a third.

38 + 40

Just turned 20,when I had my first..I have 3 children and I'm now 28 ;-) Oh and a childminder..so always have loads of children with me always have always will lol
I have always had LOTS of silly remarks because of my age,but hey humm
I say its whatever suits the parents!
:)

25, 26, 28, married, owned home, graduated, worked, no regrets. I'd like a couple more in my thirties

29. It was right for me. 32 for my second. My second will be 21 next week! Where does the time go.

It does seem the average age is creeping up though, colleagues tend to be having their first babies in their mid 30s. Student loan effect?

19, and had been married for almost 2 years by then. DS1 is 35.6

32 and will be 35 when #2 arrives (fx)

Ds1 was exactly 6 months after my 28th birthday

34, then 36 for dc2

Worked out well for me, with mainly some time for travelling beforehand, including a year living in an exciting foreign country. Some time to enjoy my twenties such as discovering music I liked, comedy nights, and meals out with friends. Also some useful qualifications though never exactly found a career easy to establish. But at least something in the bag to fall back on - DH likewise. Also as others have said DH had come round to the idea of having a family.

I actually heard once on the radio that 34 was the optimum age to have first baby in terms of life satisfaction rating of mothers, so that stuck in my mind.

My DM had me at 29 back in the 60's and was given that "elderly" tag on the maternity ward. Ridiculous! Just shows how cultural and relative it all is really

35, 36 and 39, not having settled down until I was 34. Felt very old at time (youngest is now 24) but apart from that it was right for me - had got career / travel bug etc out of system and was ready for it. No regrets.

41 and then again at 43 . I adore my children , but their friends frequently ask my age , I went grey early , and that makes me sad . Very aware that I won't have as much time with them as I'd like . Even writing that makes me sad

23 and 25 great job,married and had a home! And we are all going strong.

30

Moggie they may have 40 or 50 years with you.

Yikes I'm raising the average I was 37 (just, it was 3 weeks before my 38th birthday). I'm 39 now and hoping to try for no. 2 soon!

33! And I'm so glad I waited, I have enjoyed my own youth having the luxury of time and money all to myself. I also have more life experience and wisdom which can only enrich my sons life as well as my own parenting experience.

31

33 when I had first. I could have left it years and years. I as very happy with my lot, husband, career, lifestyle were all fab. But. We felt that if we didn't have them Soon, we would never bother and in later life we would regret it.

I adore my boys, but I have never been a desperately maternal, nurturing type.

There is never a right, or a wrong time to have a child, just what's right for you.

39 after infertility and miscarriages. Started TTC at 35. Would have been happy with 35 and very happy with 39.

34 and 3 quarters :)

I was 30. I was the first of my uni friends to have a baby.

28 thought it would solve my problems.. It hasn't but DS is gorgeous

27