How old is "too old" to have kids?

[Adrianna]

I'm 35, single, and thinking I'm gonna be this way for a while, as there's slim pickins out there for us 30-something chicks I still want to have kids, but I don't want to worry about health problems for me and the kid, nor do I want to be driven from the old age home to my kid's high school graduation. Any of you have kids after you turned 35? I just can't imagine not having that experience - I mean hey, I already have a little Braves Javy Lopez outfit picked out and everything - but the older I get, the more I think that it's just not a good idea (assuming I actually meet Mr. Right someday)...... thoughts?

 

[SuiteDisney]

You're never too old to have them, you just get too old to have the energy to chase around after them when they're toddlers.

 

[Pam]

My friend had her last child when she was 41. She is now 48 and can run, jump, hop and skip with the best of the young moms!! My friend's older children are almost 18 and 14. She's always been a young-at-heart person and the youngest child is having as much of a fun-filled childhood as her older siblings!

It's all a matter of attitude. Go for it!!

 

[crazyme5kids]

Trust me on this one........... I work in childcare and there are many, many women having children past 35 and 40.

 

[monalsw]

geriatric pregnancy here, lol, at least my chart at the ob's when i had my son said!

i had my first at 27 and second at 37yr11mo! i don't think you're ever too old...i am enjoying my youngest, age 4 now, far more than i did my first one, i think because i'm more mature and centered.

most of my friends have grandkids and when people ask me if alex is my grandson, i just laugh it off and say he's all mine!!!

good luck whatever you decide!

 

[robinb]

I was also an older mom. I was 38 1/2 when my DD was born almost 4 years ago. I had a extra care and tests in my pregnancy. I had a CVS done for genetic abnormalities and I was put on bedrest for 3 months because they thought my cervix would open suddenly and expell the fetus. My DD (stubborn from the get-go) was born 4 days late.

At 42 I am not as spry as the younger moms. But, I think that having a child has made me younger since I am now able to look at things through fresh 4 year old eyes. Did you know that CDs made rainbows on the ceiling when the sun hits them just right?

 

[jamsmom]

I know someone (turning 35 this year) who decided 18 months or so ago that she would get pregnant the following year. Has the fincial mean, etc. (never babysat a day in her life!)

She was looking at sperm banks and then went out with a friend one night, got drunk.....baby girl was born in February. Her mother actually thnks this was the only time she has ever had sex


Oh, this is soon-to be -ex SO sister. Her Mom takes care of the baby A LOT more than what she wants I think

 

[DonnaS]

My mother had me when she was 45 years old. I was her 6th child though and she had poor rhythm.

 

[Disneymoon04]

Obviously as long as you ovulate you're good to go LOL.... but I know there are statistics that show a higher risk of problem births/premature/baby health problems after the mother is 30. I just don't know when it says "higher" if it means 1% or 90%.

 

[DopeysGal]

I was over 35 when I had my DS (1st and only child) and neither of us had any medical problems whatsoever (though we are being challenged now with menopause and puberty happening at the same time ). My best friend is having her first child in September at 40 and another close friend had her only child at the age of 43. My mom was 43 when she had me and I remember being the only kid with an "old" mom. Now I go to school with my son and there seem to be more old moms than young. I'm so glad that I had my child later in life, when I had more patience and, I think, more wisdom to share with him. It has helped keep me young too.

Deb

 

[Cindy B]

Not exactly the same thing, but my friend adopted two newborns at 51! Yes, 51! and her husband was like 48, or 49!


Now the boys are 6 almost seven and she will be 60 soon...

 

[bfeller]

My mom had me at 39 and my younger brother at 45. We kept her and my dad young.

 

[DocRafiki]

You guys are really depressing me. I'm almost 30 and in my mind, I'm way too young to have kids! Unfortunately, the mind and body don't always agree.

 

[robinb]

Originally posted by DocRafiki
You guys are really depressing me. I'm almost 30 and in my mind, I'm way too young to have kids!

Don't worry, Jen. I was way too young to have kids in my 20's too. Heck, I wasn't even married until I was 32 and even then I was sure I didn't want any offspring. Some people change .

 

[catsrule]

My mom was close to 40 when she had me, and look how I turned out. Sorry, didn't mean to scare you.

 

[Michelle]

I was 33 when I had my daughter, and nearly 10 years later I am DEFINITELY too old to have...or WANT... more.

Honestly, it DOES get tougher to conceive naturally after age 30 to 35. We had a hard time conceiving at 33 and never did conceive again (despite repeated attempts ). Every woman is different, of course, and there is no way of knowing how easy or difficult it will be to have a child naturally.

It's a tough call, Adrianna, I am one to take life as it comes but if having a child is a driving force in your life then you may want to consider all your options.

 

[epcotfan]

I'm in a similar situation. I'll be 31 very soon and I've basically given up on the idea of kids. Fertility dips after age 27 and I don't want to take any chances on the health of a child. I guess if I was serious I'd have to go to a sperm bank since finding someone seems impossible.

 

[catherine]

I was 34 when I had my 1st child and 37 when I had my second. Both times I got pregnant the first month that we started trying.

 

[wdwnutze]

My DH and I were just talking about this. A friend of DH's just told him the other day that his wife is pregnant. He is 39 and she is 47! They have a 12yo and 5yo and now will have a newborn.

 

[Ranatra]

Well, you'll get a lot of different answers to this question. My SIL had her first (and only) at age 40 so did my other SIL. My ex MIL had her last child at 49. I, myself, wouldn't want to do it at this age, I'm 47 and my kids are 24, 22, and 19. But you being only 35, you have some time yet.