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?

23. Had already done uni, house, marriage stuff so worked out well.

24, 32 and 41.

33

I have 2 children now 7 & 10. I was ready and very healthy when I had no.1 so perfect on that sense, but in a way I wish I'd started sooner as I would have liked to have had more but feel it's too late.

43, was a good option for me.

Relationships and lifestyle weren't right until then, and then it felt like a great opportunity.

And so it has been.

I still feel energetic, adventurous, creative and open to new ideas.

31. Definitely glad I waited.

I'm 28 now and would not change a thing

I was 29. And 35 when I had my second.

35. Not for want of trying though

I was 29 when ds1 arrived and 32 with ds2.

You're never ready for the massive change that becoming a parent is, but we'd been married for 3 years, had a family sized house in a good school catchment, were each in professional jobs that we enjoyed and were as secure as they could be and we had a good social network of friends and family. That made it all easier I think.

I was 42 and nine months...

DC1 was born the day before my 30th birthday. Which suited me fine because I'd always said I'd like to have my first child before I'm 30

I was 22 when DC1 was born, we had been together 5 years and moved from our first flat to a house, I would definitely do it the same way again as I liked being a young mum. What I would change is how close together I had my subsequent children as they have 4/5 year age gaps and wish I'd had them sooner.

I was 28 when my first was born, we're living far away from family overseas, in a rented flat with temporary contract jobs.... But we felt (and it was) the right time for us!

Our second is due in a few months and I'm now 30.

pregnant at 29 gave birth at 30 (6 months pregnant on my birthday)
2nd baby 2.5 years later, woudln't change a thing

I was just newly 25. Worked great for us.

I was 28. I had travelled and experienced lots but I still felt young. It was the right time for us.

I was 33 for my first - 22 years ago. A little bit over average age? It felt right then, feels right now

Yawns - time for my Horlicks

21 very glad i did
was advised medical grounds to have children young while i my body was strong enough.
21 child married mortgaged degree and own business
no2 due in November and medically advised for my last.
love being a younger mum so much energy and looking forward to being in 40's when children leave home.
i would have rather had children young then got to 30 and be told its too last and my body wouldn't let me.

Pregnant at 17 and had DS1 at 18.
Usual caveats - I wouldn't change it as he wouldn't be him etc. I am now 28, happily married, in a v professional career, own our home, and I have generally done pretty well, but it was far, far too young.

28, then had DC2 at 31.

Felt perfect at the time (and still does). They have cousins on both sides within 2 years of them.

In my close group of friends (from school) 2 of 10 of us have kids (and both had them at the same age). I'm 10 years younger than lots of my "mum" friends, and I was the youngest in my NCT group by 5 years. I'm one of the younger mums at nursery too.

Not long turned 23 for first, mortgage, degree, career and married. 2nd came 17 months later great age for me and couldn't have planned it better.

I've been with dh since the age of 18 so if it hadn't been for settling down with him may have been later.

32 and then 33. I wish I started having children sooner as I always wanted a large family. I have two toddlers now and I don't think I have the stamina for another one :(

20

Just turned 33 and fingers crossed 35 if this pregnancy goes to plan.