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?

26 but so many years ago, I'm sure I was average then.

I was 30 - think that was slightly above average at the time (two years ago). It was the right time for me, although if circumstances had been different (eg if dh hadn't been ready, or I had met him - or whoever "the one" turned out to be - later, etc) it could easily have been later

28! Exactly

I was 28 and I suppose I regret not having another year with just me and DH after we got married, but I'm saying that with the benefit of hindsight that I was lucky to get pregnant easily. You never know how long it will take. Currently expecting Dc2 at 31. Feel more "ready" for this one.

30 but ttc three years before that.

20 and 22..

My dc were planned and me and dh were at the right stage in our lives to have children, although I know I was judged a lot, and probably still am!

38 with DS and almost 41 with DD. Tired, but happy!

30

I had a failed pregnancy at 34, cancer at 35, and a baby at 40.
My DD was planned, naturally conceived within 3 months of trying, and very healthy. I had some issues during pregnancy, related to my earlier illness rather than age.

It was just right for me. Not sure I am done yet - we're not trying, but we're not 'not trying'. :)

29

Ds1 - 30
Ds2 - 35 (36 2 weeks after I had him)
Mc in between

27 with DC1 and i will be 29 with DC2.

40

Didn't they say the same last year?

Would I make the same decision? You make it sound like there was any choice. I was in a dead beat relationship (was ok to start with) which took a lot of getting out of (Selling house etc) and so I was very lucky to then go on and have children with someone who wanted them too. I would have had them slightly earlier had it not been for the infertility issues I subsequently found out I had. Funnily enough being in a relationship with someone who was very non-committal about kids meant that I never got the opportunity to test my fertility out.

"I wouldn't expect MN users to match the research, though... The research shows that first time mothers NOW are averaging 30, whereas MN is full of mothers who had their kids x years ago when the average age of first time mothers was younger, iyswim. The age of MN users with pfb under 1 year old would be a fair comparison."

oh yes - and this ^ is a very good point. My son is three, what were the stats like then?

27
I was the youngest parent at pre-school but one of the eldest now we've moved!
I'd like to have started earlier as DH is older and struggles with tiredness more now.

Seems like there aren't many of us geriatric first timer here.

36 when I had DD.
39 when my second is due this September.

I wish I could have been 3 to 5 years younger but you can't go through life regretting things, can we. I am happy where I am now.

I was 29 when I had my first. He was born after we had been married for 21 months and we couldn't really have had him earlier. He came quicker than expected as it was!

I wish I had had different age gaps but that isn't anything to do with my age.

18 and whilst I don't regret it, it was certainly too young to have a child!

31. Perfect age for my first, for me personally.

32, not through choice, it took forever!

I was just 30 about to turn 31, so am average next one due in January and I will be 34.

32. Young in my circle.

33 for first, 36 for second. DH is 5 years younger than me so we waited until he felt ready(-ish). I would have liked to start a few years earlier.

29. I do think of younger moms...gosh you're missing out on your 20s, you're crazy. But I guess they didn't know what they were missing!

43 - not by choice though; was ready for children at around 26-27. Circumstances weren't right.