At what age do you think a woman is "too old" to get pregnant? (natural, years)

[bring70]

I feel you, I am 43 years old and want a baby so bad, I hate mother'sday it is so painful. I have been trying for 7 years, I got married young and went to college, and thought everything was fine, and found out i could not get pregnant, did IVF, Art etc.. We cannot afford to adopt. We are trusting the LORD for our mircle. I know some people think you are in your 40 give it up. I said no I want a baby and ny-sayer can get lost.

Bring70

[easternerDC]

I am 38 and had my children at 35 and 37 (twins). I do not consider myself "too old" and have more energy than most parents 10 -15 years younger than me. I would love to have one more child, but will probably wait 2 years. For me personally, 40 would be the cut off, but that is just me selfishly not wanting to be changing diapers forever.

I see nothing wrong with moms having children when they are 42, 43.

And the person who commented about the fertility treatments - many people use fertility treatments at many ages (not just "older" women). So that comment is just insensitive, and plain wrong - seriously, who are you to judge who should and should not be able to have children.

I used IVF to conceive my twins. I did it to avoid passing on a serious genetic condition. Every individual has their reasons for needing fertility treatments, and I am so grateful that we can now help people have families who want to.

[synchronicity]

I know this is an old thread that's been resurrected, but FWIW, we had our child when my wife was 45, "naturally" (no fertility treatments or whatever, only supplement was Folic Acid daily). Obviously we were fortunate, and our daughter is just fine other than being stuck with half of my genes.

Yes, in some ways it would be better if we'd had her years earlier, but on the other hand there are advantages to having a child when we're "older". Really, it varies from person to person.

[CountryFisher]

After 27 for your first child and 35-40 for your 2nd or more pregnancy.

[Marlow]

I know of a woman who recently had a baby at 57. She and her husband have 5 other kids, ranging in age from 20's to 13.

[riaelise]

It's all about the individual. Personally, my cut off was 35. I definitely would not have children over 40.

[Sweetbottoms]

Originally Posted by riaelise

It's all about the individual. Personally, my cut off was 35. I definitely would not have children over 40.

I feel anything after 30 I'd too old for me. My husband had a vasectomy at 30. We had our daughter at 27.

[keekski]

I didn't meet my husband until I was 30. We married when I was 32 and had our first child when I was 36 and our second when I was 38. I don't think we'll have anymore though.

[redroses777]

Originally Posted by L.K.

Also,because I had all my kids after 40,I was shown those statistics on down syndrome.But then they translated them for me into percentages,and when it is done that way,it is not quite so scary.I'm not good at math[or remembering things]so I couldn't tell you what they were.But for instance,where it says at 46 your chances are 1/20 of having a Down syndrome child,that still means obviously percentage wise,the chances are good you will have a normal child.
Anyway,for me it wasn't like I was just intentionally waiting until 40 to have kids.I didn't marry til 38.Thank God I waited for Mr Right instead of all those frogs I dated[several of whom are now divorced!

I am so glad to hear about someone who had kids at an older age. I am 33 and do desire kids and a family. The problem is that I haven't met Mr. Right yet. I always worry that my time is running out and have recently started thinking I should just settle for someone so I can have kids. Your post has given me a little peace about things. I actually have taken good care of myself and feel better now than I did when I was in my 20s. Most people don't think I am 33 and I have been hit on by young college students because I look young.

I do have one relative with DS, but the mother had her when she was in her 20s. I also have another relative who had a healthy baby at 48. She thought she couldn't have kids so she never used birth control. I guess health problems happen at any age and healthy babies are born at any age.

[20yrsinBranson]

Originally Posted by gimme it

Curious what you think? 35? 40? 45?

Both of my grandmothers were 44 when they had my mother and father. I have known people who have gotten pregnant as old as 46, so I would say 50 is probably the cut off.

20yrsinBranson