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MNHQ

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

540 replies

KateMumsnet · 17/07/2014 10:57

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?

OP posts:
Hadmeathello · 17/07/2014 16:33

23 and wouldn't change a thing Smile

Notso · 17/07/2014 16:34

First time with living baby at the end of it 19.

crazykat · 17/07/2014 16:43

I was 19 when I had our first, a surprise but I was in a good relationship. No regrets about being a young mum.

I'm 26 now and we're married with another three DCs and I'm getting my degree. I'm glad I didn't wait till 30 as then my mum wouldn't have met her grandchildren which I would have regretted.

I hate the assumption that young mum = stupid or doing it for benefits. I was always good at school which is why I'm working like mad to get my degree. I like being young enough to enjoy my DCs and when they're all grown I'll still be young enough to travel if I want.

slightlyconfused85 · 17/07/2014 16:44

I was two weeks off 27

FelixFelix · 17/07/2014 16:44

23 (I'm 24 next month). She was a surprise and ideally I would have wanted to wait until late 20's but she's amazing and I'm so happy Grin

findingherfeet · 17/07/2014 17:01

27 (married, degree done, in decent job, with mortgage etc...still later than I'd hoped!)

OorWullie · 17/07/2014 17:03

20, not planned but don't regret a thing.

he's starting school after the summer and I'm going back to college.

PostHocErgoPropterHoc · 17/07/2014 17:05
  1. It felt like a fairly average age to have my first. I was part of a 'second wave' among my friends - a couple had had them earlier than us, most came later though. I was the youngest by a couple of years in my antenatal group, which I was surprised by.
HilariousInHindsight · 17/07/2014 17:13

It was right for me.

gamescompendium · 17/07/2014 17:14

One month before my 37th birthday (quickly followed by two others at 38 and 41). Our parents generation were very young when they had children, we're just becoming more traditional in waiting until our 30s and 40s (My grandmothers were 30 and 37 when they had my parents, my Mum was 24 when she had me). Apart from a couple of old school friends all my friends have had children in their 30s and 40s. I met up with friends last weekend and 3/4 of us had children born when we were in our 40s.

I wouldn't have wanted to have kids younger, I spent most of my 20s in education and needed to grow up and work a bit before we could consider kids. Plus, considering we spend £1K on childcare a month, I wouldn't fancy having to do that on the kind of salary you get in your 20s.

jimijack · 17/07/2014 17:15

33

Dontforgetyourbrolly · 17/07/2014 17:16

38 ha ha . Thought he was early menopause !

Never wanted kids but my lovely surprise is a chubby 5 month old sitting on my lap :-)

QisforQcumber · 17/07/2014 17:20
  1. Not planned but the single best thing that ever happened to me. He gave me focus, drive, determination and premature wrinkles . He is the apple of my eye and I wouldn't change a thing.
SomeSunnySunday · 17/07/2014 17:20

I was 30 (then 33, and now expecting DC3 at 36).

kelda · 17/07/2014 17:22

I was 27, the same age as my mother and grandmother when they became mothers for the first time.

BornOfFrustration · 17/07/2014 17:28

32, but a week off 33. I'm 35 now and struggling to haveanother. I wish now that I'd started 10 years earlier, but tbh II felt like a child myself and children just weren't on my radar.

Passionfruitpavlova · 17/07/2014 17:30

40 and 8 months! I had almost given up hope of being a mum as I hadn't met anyone even vaguely suitable! I met someone, got pregnant very quickly, and then he decided he didn't want to be a dad (he'd already got other children). So, a first-time mum at 40 - and a single one to boot - major life change. However, he's just about to start secondary school and is a strapping lad of 11 and the best thing that's ever happened in my life! Most of my friends had their children between the ages of 29-34.

halfdrunkcoffee · 17/07/2014 17:37

I was 32.

My mum had me at 29 which was considered ancient at the time. Her mum was 30 when she had her. I would probably have liked to start earlier if I'd met DH earlier. But then I wouldn't have the children I have now. Health-wise I was fine.

AnneElphick90 · 17/07/2014 17:49

I was 19 and have no regrets. Have progressed in my career and work part time. Another baby on the way. Age is just a number! Its down to parenting not age...

AmericasTorturedBrow · 17/07/2014 17:50
  1. Wish I'd waited a few more years in all honesty. It was shock and I wasn't ready
Cherryblossomsmile · 17/07/2014 17:57

It was the right time for me.

suedragon · 17/07/2014 17:59

I was 23 when I had my first and was considered an 'elderly primagrav' How times have changed"

Titsalinabumsquash · 17/07/2014 18:02

17 - no regrets, it didn't hold me back, I'm well educated, I've travelled, I have friends, family and a house, lovely partner and enough money to be comfortable.

LouisaJF · 17/07/2014 18:04

I was 30 when I had my first and 32 when I had my second. I was far too selfish and immature to have done it before then.

Norfolknway · 17/07/2014 18:31

30...just.