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?

32

I didn't really have much of a choice, we'd been ttc for 8 years. If I had the choice, I'd have probably chosen 26 or 27.

I was nearly 40 when DC2 was born.

23

24, no regrets. Watched both my SiL's struggle with infertilty problems and associated financial costs when trying to conceive their first babies in their thirties.

33. I got married in my early 20s and we agreed to leave deliberate baby-making until I was 30. When I got there, I didn't feel grown up enough. Finally, at 32, I realised I was never going to feel like a mother until I became one, and we decided to TTC in January 2013. 7 months later, our son was born! He's the best thing I've ever made

At 30, not really planned.

First at 30
Second at 40

28 and one of the first of friends my age, felt ready and loving newborn time right now!

Had just turned 25. Not British though :)

I was 29 when I got pregnant, 30 when I gave birth. If I have a second I'm aiming to be around 33. Glad I waited til then.

Just turned 26 in 2009.
Youngest parent when she starts reception by about 5yrs I think!

38 back in 1996. Only regret is DD is midway between cousins and their kids so was a bit lonely at family gatherings. Not such a prob now she's 17 and friends with older cousins.

30

23

31 - would have preferred mid 20's and 31 felt old at the time (14 years ago)

32 then 35, but DH is 11 years older so he was 43 and 46. Would like to have done it younger really but more for him, he is 60 now and we have teens 17 and 14. He is older than a lot of their friends' parents but also not in good health so younger would have been better.

I was an 'elderly primip' at 38
Married for 10 years when DD arrived after a bit of trouble... lucky enough to be able to move into a nice house in a nice area, having done a lot of travelling & working abroad.

23 jules2 you don't need to justify your choices by putting down others.

36 and then 38. My age was never mentioned. No regrets as was the right time with the right man, but I do think if I had started earlier I might have had one or two more.

And now expecting again at 41.
I love being a mum!

Bang on 33.

But the little so and so took two years to conceive. :)

29 and a half.

It was a good age. Could have waited until things were a bit more 'perfect' as most of my peers did but feel now am reaping the benefits as we are fitting in a dc3 which dh wouldn't have done had we been older!

I was 32.5 when DS was born and would have liked a 3 year age gap, however DH (only child) took a bit more persuasion so we've just started trying for #2 who will hopefully arrive when I'm 37.5.