40 and up having kids

Do you think 40 is old to have kids? not necessarily the first child but maybe the second or the third?

Re: 40 and up having kids

Nope, my aunt had her 4th when she was 40. My grandmother's parents were in their mid 40's when they had her in 1934 There was a 17 years between her and her sister!

Re: 40 and up having kids

Well since I obviously don't think it's too old to have a first at 40, I definitely don't think it's too old to have a 2nd, 3rd or 4th.

I had DD at 41, and lots of my friends were over 40 when they had their first.

Re: 40 and up having kids

ABSOLUTE NOT!!!!

I just had at 34 and I would love to get pregnant at 39 and the baby at 40.

Re: 40 and up having kids

I was 41 when Ann was born.

Re: 40 and up having kids

One of my best friends just had her first (and only) at 43. She never thought she could have kids and is thrilled, but it did set their retirement plans back quite a bit, which has depressed her DH a bit. She had planned to retire at 55-60, which is now out of the question.

Re: 40 and up having kids

Definitely not! My mom was 42 when she had my sister. And I know lots and lot of women who have had babies 40 and up.

Re: 40 and up having kids

No, but.... I had DS at 37 and FEEL old. I definitely don't have the energy like I did when I was 27.... I can't imagine doing this all over again in a year or two....

Re: 40 and up having kids

Nope...(I had my 2nd at 39) My aunt had her first when she was 40 and was 41 when her twins were born (natural twins)

Re: 40 and up having kids

Had DS at 41 (my first, my last, my everything )
My sister had 1 at 25, 1 at 30 and her 3rd at 43!!!

I guess I don't understand the question though, obviously it's not too old biologically, so do you mean emotionally? Physically (like having to keep up with a toddler in your 40s? Or in some other regard?

Re: 40 and up having kids

No way, not even close. This is extremely common now.

Re: 40 and up having kids

Thanks for your replies.

I mean old as in emotionally, physically etc. Do you feel like the "old mom", do others look at you differntly because you are 40 with a newborn or a pregnancy bump.Do you feel like you have enough energy to be up at night with a newborn and run around after a toddler during the day.

Re: 40 and up having kids

Sure I had more energy when I was younger. But you are as old as you feel. I do feel moms do step up to the plate regardless of how old they are. Your kid cries at night, you get up! Whether you are 27 or 40.

Re: 40 and up having kids

I don't think it's too old. When I had DS, I was one of the youngest mothers at the hospital at 29. That being said, I am exhausted at 30 running after my toddler. And I am thrilled with the fact that my kids will be in college by the time I'm 49 and I'll be able to enjoy my life with DH. But you do what you have to do right. You make it work.

Re: 40 and up having kids

Ummm, since I had my first son at 38 and my second son at 42...I'm gonna say no!

Re: 40 and up having kids

I would prob not choose to have kids at 40 as I feel there are more complications and i honestly think its prob just harder being 40 then say 30...

with that being said, i don't think it should ever stop anyone from having a child then! More power to them. I just think women should know the risks involved as you age where maternity is involved..its just not the same as when you're in your 20's and 30's

Re: 40 and up having kids

I had my DD at 35- I am 39 now and while I am pretty sure we are done- I don't feel any pressure in terms of my age. I know I have a few years and if we finally close the door on more it won't be because of age (unless we waffle about it till I'm 50 )

Re: 40 and up having kids

Don't tell my DH that, he's 43 and we are expecting our 3rd

Re: 40 and up having kids

My mom was 40 when she had my brother.

I don't see any issues with it. Some people struggle for years with IF issues, and they want a baby so badly.

Re: 40 and up having kids

DH's mom was 40 when she had him and it wasnt as common 35 yrs ago.

A friend of mine had her first at 41 and twins at 43. She's got 10 yrs on me and probably double the energy

ETA: Maybe having kids older keeps you "younger" longer... I am always amazed what my MIL is capable of at 75 and maybe it's because she was chasing 3 active boys around in her 40s!

Message edited 1/25/2011 7:49:28 AM.

Re: 40 and up having kids

its not for me, but to each her own.

I wanted to be done by 30, but it looks like I'll be done by 28. (Been with DH since we're 17, married at 24).

Re: 40 and up having kids

At 29 I was also the youngest one on the maternity ward. I find that I am the youngest mom in my DSs preschool class. Now at 33 I am about average - the moms in DDs music class are about my age. Of my high school class many of my friends have children my son's age. Of my college class many of my friends are having their first children at 33 or 34. I think having kids between age 35-40 is much more common now than it was when our parents had children.

Message edited 1/24/2011 9:18:21 PM.

Re: 40 and up having kids

Had DD#2 3 weeks after I turned 41. Yes I feel older but I am older

Wouldn't trade it for the world

Re: 40 and up having kids

Not at all....I had the trio when I turned 41. I had a great pregnancy went the full 36 weeks without any health issues..No GD, No high bloodpressure, and didnt have preterm labor....I did pretty good for an old person....

Message edited 1/24/2011 9:32:28 PM.

Re: 40 and up having kids