Re: 40 and up having kids

I think it is much more common to have kids now closer to 40. Where I live there are many woman having there children in there late 30s and early 40s. I think it really depends on the person and their situation. I am sure no one would look at a 40 year old with a baby bump and think wow that woman is too old to have a baby because it is so common now. Yes thee are more health risks for the baby and mom at 40, but I don't think it should necessarily stop someone from starting a family at that age.

Re: 40 and up having kids

for me Yes, I wanted to be done before I am 35 for health reasons and retirement! . for others, it's fine. I know a few ppl who have started having families in their 40's. they are better off financially then I am. But for me it came down to energy level, I have no energy now, forget about 10 years from now

plus my kids grandparents are a factor, my parents are young 54 so they have some energy to play with my kiddies around. my Inlaws are in their upper 60's so we are glad we had them when we did

Message edited 1/25/2011 11:37:04 AM.

Re: 40 and up having kids

I want to be a MILF up until my kids graduate HS So um ...if I have a kid when I'm 40, then when they are in HS Ill be 56 .. well, I think I can do it

otherwise I see no other issues

Re: 40 and up having kids

I actually find this almost offensive since I had DS at 45. After a terrible marriage, meeting the right man at 35 and going through years of infertility I am blessed with a happy, healthy, EXTREMELY active little boy - and I wouldn't trade it for the world.
Aside from the infertility, which I would have had to deal with at any age, I had no problem being pregnant, going on bedrest for 5 months and handling a newborn. I am very active and have zero problems dealing with a toddler. I don't ever feel old around other mom's...a lot of times I hear much younger women complaining about their children and how tired they are.
It's truly about how old you are inside and how you take care of yourself....I plan on being an active and, more importantly, interactive mom with my son for many, many years.

So there!

Re: 40 and up having kids

Posted by Gertyrae

I actually find this almost offensive since I had DS at 45. After a terrible marriage, meeting the right man at 35 and going through years of infertility I am blessed with a happy, healthy, EXTREMELY active little boy - and I wouldn't trade it for the world.
Aside from the infertility, which I would have had to deal with at any age, I had no problem being pregnant, going on bedrest for 5 months and handling a newborn. I am very active and have zero problems dealing with a toddler. I don't ever feel old around other mom's...a lot of times I hear much younger women complaining about their children and how tired they are.
It's truly about how old you are inside and how you take care of yourself....I plan on being an active and, more importantly, interactive mom with my son for many, many years.

So there!

Message edited 1/25/2011 6:10:53 AM.

Re: 40 and up having kids

I think having kids at any age is fine, as long as it is okay with the parents. Everyone is different. I had mine at 35 and 37.

During my 20's, I was emotionallly immature and took terrible care of myself (partying, smoking, poor diet). I am healthier now than I ever was. So I am a better mother at an older age than a younger one. I also had healthy, uncomplicated pregnancies and deliveries, thankfullly.

As far as being tired, I remember being wiped out one day when DS was 2 and active and my baby was a few months old. My Mom was with me, and told me that she was over 10 years younger than me, and also wiped out with a toddler and a newborn. So I think Mom exhaustion happens at any age!

Re: 40 and up having kids

Nope a co-worker/good friend had her baby at 44 perfect little man :)

Re: 40 and up having kids

People have to do what works for them. Not everyone meets their SO in HS or college. I don't think they should deny themselves the chance to have children if they want them. But they need to realize that they'll be in their sixties at a college graduation and might be 70 giving away a bride. But my father's father was 90 and hitting on women in a nursing home... people can be energetic at all ages

Message edited 1/25/2011 8:24:59 AM.

Re: 40 and up having kids

I dont think 40 is too old but I personally have a 35 cut off for myself. I had DS at 30 and 3 years later and with this kid that runs me ragged every day, I cant imagine being 10 years older and doing the same thing. If I stay up til midnight, its a wild night for me.

Re: 40 and up having kids

Not at all - so long as the mommy & daddy are up to it, then I say go for it! Like some pp's mentioned, I really think it depends on the parents though - my SIL was almost 40 when she had my niece & she had TONS more energy when she was little than I do w/my little guy now & I was 6 years younger than her when I had him. Lifestyle & general personality play more of a factor to me than age does.

Re: 40 and up having kids

Not in this day and age.
I don't think so at all.

Re: 40 and up having kids

40 is the new 30!...so no I have no problem with it.

Re: 40 and up having kids

I don't think so but I wouldn't risk it after 42, I think that would be my limit.

Re: 40 and up having kids

I had my twins at 38 and I am done. I was thinking about trying again, but I am so friggin exhausted now, that I can't imagine adding a third baby to the mix. I am in the best shape I've ever been in, and it has nothing to do with age (at least, for me). I work a demanding job, will be going to school at night again....the twins are enough.

Re: 40 and up having kids

A number wouldn't stop me if the desire was there.

Message edited 1/31/2011 1:44:21 PM.

Re: 40 and up having kids

Oops, double post

Message edited 1/25/2011 11:03:50 AM.

Re: 40 and up having kids

Re: 40 and up having kids

I had my DS when I was 40. I didn't meet the right guy until my 30s and married at 37. I wanted to be married before I had a baby.

In terms of keeping up with them, I think it's not necessarily what age you are, but more about what kind of shape you are in. I certainly don't have the same energy I had at 25 or 30, but I also am not in good physical shape. I think if I exercised more, lost some weight and was in better shape, it would be easier to run around after my DS. I know there are moms out there who are 25 who would say the same thing.

Re: 40 and up having kids

Nope, I don't!

Re: 40 and up having kids

i certainly think so! I will be 32 dh will be 39 and we can't afford children still so we have to wait until we can swing paying childcare and all the other expenses that children bring. My parents had me when older and they did a perfect job raising me.

As far as health reasons you could 21 a morbidly obese and have a kid and be perfectly healthy, you could be 26 and be fit as anything and have a child with autism, 30 and have a child with a heart defect - i mean its a crap shoot in my mind. Are you more likely to have issues develop when older? I am sure but there are many factors that go into health of a fetus then just your age (environment, health, genetics, etc) people were having kids until their bodies wouldn't allow them for many years and most came out just fine My great grandparents had 14 kids until great grandma was 46!

Message edited 1/25/2011 9:45:17 AM.

Re: 40 and up having kids

Nope I don't think so.
I know a lot of first time moms at 40+

It may not be 'as easy' at a 27yr old but its not impossible. Besides even 27yr olds have issues too.

If you're healthy and able I don't think its unreasonable at all, regardless of age.

Re: 40 and up having kids

Posted by rose825

Posted by Gertyrae

I actually find this almost offensive since I had DS at 45. After a terrible marriage, meeting the right man at 35 and going through years of infertility I am blessed with a happy, healthy, EXTREMELY active little boy - and I wouldn't trade it for the world.
Aside from the infertility, which I would have had to deal with at any age, I had no problem being pregnant, going on bedrest for 5 months and handling a newborn. I am very active and have zero problems dealing with a toddler. I don't ever feel old around other mom's...a lot of times I hear much younger women complaining about their children and how tired they are.
It's truly about how old you are inside and how you take care of yourself....I plan on being an active and, more importantly, interactive mom with my son for many, many years.

So there!

and I can vouch for Gerty. You and Kara run circles around me. LOL. You old ladies make me look bad

Re: 40 and up having kids

My SIL had her DS age 40. She wanted another but hasn't been able to concieve again and decided that she wasn't going to try to anymore. SHe's just happy she got her son since she had been told she would liekly not be able to have children ever.

My mom had me at 39...so at 40 she was dealing with a 5 month old

Re: 40 and up having kids

Absolutely not!!!!!!!
I got married at 35 and had my first baby 1t 37. I may have #2 after 40 if things don't go exactly as planned.
A friend of mine just had twins at 44 after trying to get pregnant for 10 years.

Re: 40 and up having kids

My dad was 40 (almost 41) when I was born and 45 when my brother was born. He was a great dad but his age was a factor as we got older. He didn't have the energy to run around and play with us in his 50s.