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?

I was 15, I'm now having my fourth at 22.

Wow, Car, how is that? You were still a child yourself first time.

29. Had my third and last a few weeks before I turned 35.

23, had dd just as I was completing my MA. I am 28 now, and glad I had her when I did. I don't want any more kids though, now she is going into y1 full time school I wouldn't want to go back to baby stuff and extortionate childcare!

Gosh car. Are you happy with that?

35, for my first.
Had three years TTCing, and was nearly termed a geriatric primagravida!

Btw
I think some rather insensitive comments directed to CarCiKoTab who has obviously had further children.
We're you happy with your first beatricebean, or swiftrelease?

26! With degree, career, own home, husband, Solid relationship, maturity!
Also hated the patronising tone of 'oh you are young'

Am 31 now (35 Wks pg with dc2) I still have all of those things I had before (+ dd) & am now told I'm old!!!!!

Plus a few friends who are just starting out with Dc1 and have no bloody clue! I don't agree that age makes you a better parent either.

Just over 33 with DS1 (which is older than my mum when she had her last).

Around 1 week shy of 36 with DS2.

He's 2 this week, I'm 38 next week, and although I sometimes think about another baby, we can't afford it and I feel too old already.

28 with DD, DS was due on my 30th birthday but was late grrrr so had to wait for my fizzy wine champagne

My Nana was 30 when she had Mum (an only child, deliberately)

My Mum was 36 when she had me (an only child, deliberately)

I was 40 when I had DS (an only child, deliberately)

Bit of a pattern here!

Mum now regrets not having had more. Dad would cheerfully have had six but respected Mum's choice back then. I am still glad I'm an only! I have no idea what Nana thought, but it was the 30s and they decided they could only afford one child (Mum's father was one of ten and had been grindingly poor) so they encouraged her to get educated more than them. My parents did that with me and I am trying to do likewise.

Beat ya!

32, although if things had gone to plan I'd have been a little less than 30.

21, 26, now 31 and want another

WHY WHY WHY should Car justify her reasons? Has she asked anyone else to justify their reasons for having children at any other time?

I asked Car HOW it was not why! Genuine question as 15 is just a child still.

I was 21 and 23, I'm glad I didn't wait as menopause had started by 34.

27, married with a good job and mortgage. Felt a bit young as I was the first out of all of my friends but wouldn't change it now

28

5 days after my 35th birthday! Had another at 37. Would love to have had them earlier wistful then I could have had one more...

Gosh Car. Are you happy with that?

Really? Do we really need to ask people if they are happy with their children? Why does her age make it ok to ask such insensitive and plain rude questions?

Esther, quite.

33

then 2nd at 38 and 3rd at almost 40 and am utterly utterly knackered at 45.

Really wish I had done it sooner and will encourage my own DD to have hers in her 20s.

Sorry hadn't meant to be so insensitive. I realise now it was. Im not sure how I ought to have worried it differently but clearly I should!

I only asked in context of the thread as people are saying x age -felt just right or xy but I should have waited/would have liked them earlier.

It's not uncommon to have a child young and I don't have any problems with it (I live currently in an area with a lot of young mums)

I simply meant... ah no whatever I say gets me in a muddle, so apologies I was just curious!!

Lots of peolle in their 30s may feel too young or in their 20s feel theyve left it too late. I dont think there's a definite "age". Its v culturally Nd class driven.

39 & 42 Started ttc at 33 and finally had to go down the IVF route for both. No regrets - didn't meet DH until I was 30, we weren't to know we would have problems conceiving and we now feel very blessed. Sailed through the first pregnancy with barely a symptom (DS) and couldn't wait to do it all again I loved being pregnant so much. Second pregnancy (DD) was awful (nausea related - nothing 'serious') and I would never want to go through that again

I asked Car HOW it was not why! Genuine question as 15 is just a child still

How?

Hmm this may not be the right forum for you. Maybe wait till your parents have had the talk with you before you engage with adults.