Is 44 too old to become pregnant?

[Eeyores Butterfly]

The risks are certainly greater, but as long as the person knwos what they are getting themselves into and have thought about what it will mean for the later stages of life (the ages when people typically enter retirement for example), I say go for it! My cousin was actually in this position in reverse. He was 40 and she was much younger. They just had their first baby.

 

[S. C.]

I don't think 44 is too old. My mother was 17 when she had my brother and 41 when she had my youngest sister, with 5 kids in between. So she was on the young end and on the older end. Everything turned out fine.

 

[Bonnie151]

So long as it's not me, no it's not too old!

 

[smidgy]

it would depend on the circumstances. are you healthy? physically fit? you don't say why. are you in love with a younger man, who never had children, and this is the "deal breaker"? if that is the case, then . no. do not have a child, in order to keep a man. if you and he are in love, either way, children or not, and choose to have a child, and you are up for it, physically and mentally, fine.
if you bear him a child becuase that is the "deal breaker" (he wants to have children) then really, really think this through. the pto meetings, the soccer games, the baseball games, the dance lessons, not just a cute little baby, but all the "raising" of a child entails. the 15 year old, with all her temper tantrums, , as you are going through menopause.... think this through.... . a child should be conceived becuase this child is WANTED, for 18 years (at least). a child is not a bargaining chip in a realtionship.

if you really want a child , then , if you're doctor says ok, then God bless you.

 

[Otimon]

You certainly have the right to choose what you feel is right for you.

Having said that, please first consider the long range implications of having a child so late in life and how that will affect you, your husband, and the child.

Best wishes.

 

[NHdisneylover]

For me, yes it would be way too old. The month I turn 44 my kids will turn 20 and 18. My own mother was 43 when my first was born.

That works best for me. I do think having a child that late in life means you have more implications to consider than most (ability to get pregnant, chances of birth defects higher, chances of not living to see your child make adulthood go up, friends being in a very different place than you are, etc. etc.--all things detialed in previous posts). If you think all that through and still want a child and have plans in place on how to deal with all of those issues (most of which CAN happen with people having children at any age), then I do not think it is always too old for someone else.

Also, I completly agree with the poster who said make sure you are having a child because YOU and your spouse want to, not jsut becuase you want to do this for your spouse (BTW--I think that advice applies for prospective parents of allages).

 

[Christine]

Biologically, if you are healthy, I do not think it is too old at all. Mentally, that's a different story. I wouldn't do it, but then again, I am a parent to teens right now and they are exhausting. If I was 44 and had never had a child and had all those years to myself, I might actually be up for it.

My husband's mother had her youngest child when she was 42 and it was never an issue.

Get this story: My coworker's cousin, just got married last year. It was her first marriage, her husband's second (he has 3 middle/high school aged children). She is 48 and the husband was around the same age. She did not even consider having children and actually considered herself to be heading into menopause due to irregular cycles. Well, right after the honeymoon, she was pregnant. She just had a very healthy baby about 2 months ago and is overjoyed. But, yikes, 48!!

 

[mum4jenn]

Our school counselor just had TWINS at that very age!!! She has 3 daughters from a previous marriage...one in college, one in high school, one in our 5th grade and she remarried a younger guy a few years ago. He is in Afghanistan and she has twins now! He was able to come home 2 weeks for the birth but will be gone for almost a year now.

 

[MickeySP]

I would check with your OB/GYN, I am sure the Dr will give you pros & cons. They will also know you health status.

Healthy fit active - no
Couch potatoe & out of shape - yep

 

[RitaE]

hmm - not something I'd want to try but go for it if ya want.

I could handle having a baby at age 42. What I can't imagine is having a 16 year old at age 58. Yikes!

 

[kimmar067]

...25 years ago my kids' grandma was 43 and thought it was menopause and well it turned out to be uncle Stephan... her and the baby was just fine.....

 

[jenrose66]

I think it's too old...but that's just me. I will say that I don't care what people do...it's their life.

The reason I feel it's too old is because I'm in my late 20's, I have two kids and I'm exhausted I can't imagine doing this in my mid 40's!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

My opinion is that when you will be talking (and probably ready for) retirement you will not only have a teenager but will also be looking at college costs at a time when you (and/or husband) were planning on not working. I don't think it is a good idea.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Nobody get nasty ok? Just looking for opinions. What about if the husband is 10 years younger and never had children? Does that change your opinion?

As long as you are physically able then you can go for it. Now there is the risk that you might have a child who is autistic or some other genetic issue since you are older.

So I would get some genetic counseling first, just to see.

As long as you do your homework, have a plan in case you/him have to stay home, then I think it is fine.

Can one of you stay home with a baby?

For me personally, at 44, no way can I have a baby because I have medical issues with pregnancy.

 

[kimmar067]

My opinion is that when you will be talking (and probably ready for) retirement you will not only have a teenager but will also be looking at college costs at a time when you (and/or husband) were planning on not working.....

...and THAT'S why I have to stay teaching till I'm about 68! (...I had my last at almost age 37, and I'm feeling its affects NOW... )

 

[Kitty 34]

I'm 55 and if I had a 10 year old running around, it would be fine with me!

On a side note, when I was pregnant with my 2nd son I was 32. The new doctor I was going to was so-o-o-o concerned because he felt like I was so old! To make a long story short, he ended up being quite the quack for other reasons and I changed doctors in my 9th month and had a beautiful healthy son. Went on and had another son 2 years later.

 

[luvmy3]

I personally would not have a baby at 44, for me thats too old. I don't want to be a parent to a minor when I'm old enough to be a grandparent. There is also the risk of complications with the baby and pregnancy at that age.
I think it is possible for a 44 year old woman to have a healthy baby, and be perfectly happy, just not me.

 

[Mermaid02]

In my opinion it is too old.

 

[GothTink]

If I were 44, I wouldn't decide to become pregnant. The idea of the child not moving out until I was in my 60s would not appeal to me at all.

 

[Mermaid02]

If I were 44, I wouldn't decide to become pregnant. The idea of the child not moving out until I was in my 60s would not appeal to me at all.

Amen!