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 planned to have all mine before 30 as I really didn't want to be an 'older' mother. I gave birth to DC4 when. I was 30. I had my first at 25. NO REGRETS
It worked for us. I think it helped that I met and moved in with DH when I was 18 and that he is 5 years older.
It also helped that we came out of college/Uni straight into 'good' careers so we were ok for money.
I think I had my DC at the perfect age but I bet I would think that regardless

Just turned 31.

37!

19. I'm quite enjoying it time will tell whether I'll 'miss out' on my 20s, but I never wanted to travel (don't do heat, or bugs ), like the odd night out but not partying 24/7, and I'm continuing with uni without taking any time off.

I love being a mum, I don't think my age matters a jot

Hopefully still 35.

(Will be 36 at 40+12, so hoping I won't go that far over!)

32. I wish I'd left it until 37! Having been ill for a lot of my 20's I could have enjoyed a few more years of fun.

I was 33.

27 and 29

Way over. I was 40.
It wasn't really the way I wanted it to be, but it took that long for DH to come along, so that's how it happened.
I was lucky - and luckier still to get DS2 at 45.

I don't at all mind being an older parent from my point of view; I think it's better for them because I have more patience and have done all my wanting to go out on the razz years so have no issue with staying in. I feel a bit sad for them because they'll lose me earlier in their lives than my Mum and Dad lost their parents - but then I was 39 when my Mum died, and all sorts of things happen to everyone, so if I make it to at least 80, I'll be happy with that.

I was 20.
Married (had been together since 14) own home, very happy, planning to go back to uni when they're at school.

I don't think there is a right chronological age (aside from fertility issues) someone who's 25 may have far more life experience than someone who is 45 and vice versa.
I think what matters is that the child is wanted, loved, provided for.

31
I wanted two so started as soon as we got married so I could have them both before I was 35. But then I had twins, so could have waited a bit longer if Id known!

I'm surprised the average on here is so high, when I was on the maternity ward I was the oldest by at least 5 years. The girl opposite me was 15.

Btw I hate the judgyness of mothers age- always 'far to young - far too old'
What about fathers age?
No one ever seems to judge fathers.
What is with that?

24, already married. 26 with number two. Hopefully number three before I'm 30 too, if I ever get my BFP!

Dh and I were 23 and been married over 3 years, own mortgaged place for nearly 5. We had lived abroad and all round the country together in our jobs and done more wild partying than most (ahem) Done a degree, masters, always worked etc.

Children havent slowed us down as everyone has children young here. Everyones got their family around them so its not as restricting as it seems to be for lots on here 30 is seen as old mum or dad in my area. I know one man who waited until 34 and everyones calling him Peter Pan and a commitmentphobe. Mumsnet is very different to my rl experience.

39

33. But I became a step parent at 27. Wish I had had my child earlier so that I could have more but our family wasn't ready. So I missed out.

I did go to uni, two degrees, partied, travelled and great career with finacial stability. But would have liked to have been late 20's.

Good post Jazz

33 and 35. Would have liked to have had them a couple of years earlier perhaps at 30 as am a year or so behind friend. Ally friends have had babies in early thirties having been to uni and traveled and established careers and mortgages.

34. I have loads of friends who were my age or older. This was 15 years ago if that's of any interest.

I was 24 when I had dd1. In hindsight I wish I'd waited until I was older, late 20's/early 30's. I think we would have been in a better position financially, emotionally, and mentally. But at the time I was so broody and we'd been TTC for 4 years and I'd already had a miscarriage at that point.

29 and 8 months when dd makes her appearance in October

Also became a full on step mum to DSD when I was 17, so that also influenced my decision to have kids early.

32. About a decade older than all my friends from high school who stayed local, but before all my London friends.

Got preg with ds1 when I was 19 and at uni, was 20 by the time he was born, 15 years later and dp and I still together and youngest madthing is 3.

I still finished my degree and so did dp.

We have a mortgage etc and life is good, I think we are done now esp as we are done with nappies ans bfeeding etc and life is moving on but we will reassess in a year or two.