How late is too late to start having babies?

Question

I'm 28 and having a blast living abroad and studying and partying and traveling etc.. Someday I really want to have kids and I can't help but think that I'll be 30 when I finish my PhD, and several years beyond by the time I have career stability. Medically and socially, how late is too late?

Answer 1

i'd say 50's being a mother of 3 in my 20's i think energy wize the younger the better

Answer 2

I would say around age 40. My mother had her last kid at 39, and said it was a relief. As you get older you want to be able to relax and not have to hear screaming babies, kid teasing each other, and so on.  

Answer 3

I know several career oriented women who freeze their eggs when they were young but not ready yet for babies and are busy with careers.  Then when the time comes that they are ready like they are already in their mid 30's, they get their eggs back and do IVF.  With our modern day technology, there are ways to conceive at a later age.  One can still probably give birth naturally (on the average) at 35.  Read more from this site:  http://www.preggyspretty.com

Answer 4

In todays world it seems people are having them more and more at like the age of 15 haha so you really passed up that age.  My parents didn't have me until they were around 35.  I've also known people who didn't have kids until they were 40.  I think the having kids goes with the saying you are only as old as you feel.  As long as your body can keep up with you I don't see any problem having kids after the age of 30.  You need to think of how the child will feel with having an older parent too though.  In my opinion I wouldn't mind waiting, but wouldnt want to go over the age of 40.

Answer 5

My mum had my brother at 42, he was the last of 9 kids. If it wasnt for the historectomy she had to have, im sure I would of had alot more brothers and sisters., she loves kids.

In answer to your question, Dont be too worried about kids, you will have time for that when you have had your life of partying, and got a good career. Its great that you would be financially stable when you have a baby, instead of relying on the government for funds. Its not easy that way.

With age you do have risks on the baby, also on yourself, and theres always the possibility of not having any more periods.

Its never too late to have kids if your able too, if your 50 and still able to concieve then go ahead.

I personally would try to have kids before hitting the age of 38. But everyone is different, with different circumstances.

Answer 6

Before age 35.  It is true that beyond age 35, the risk in having a child affected with down syndrome increases.  I suggest that you start thinking about having a child or settling down as you reach age 30. As a female ages, her egg cells decreases in number, thereby lowering the chance in conceiving a child.  And another thing,  is it not better if you conceive a child earlier, let's say 28 or 29, that you will enjoy his/her growing up years together?  

Answer 7

Over the age of 35 your risk for certain birth defects, such as Down's Syndrome, grows rapidly every year.  Most doctors consider any pregnancy in a woman 40+ as high risk.  My parents started having children before my father finished his Ph.D. so I know it can be done.  Good luck.  Don't forget, if you do wait too long, there are plenty of children in the world who need to be adopted into a good home.

Answer 8

At 35, the risks during pregnancy elevate.  As far as socially, think of how old you would be when your child is 10,20,30....  For example, if you have a child at 35, you will be 45 when they are 10, 55 when they are 20, and so on.  This seems fine to me.  If you have a child at 45, though, by the time they are 25, you will be 70.  

Answer 9

30 is a great age.  By then you've started your career, know more what you want, a little more financially secure and able to stay home for awhile and yet continue with your career.

My niece started hers at 28, still worked except for maternity leave and now they had their second.  All the way around they're doing very well.  I think at that age you're more mature to make those decisions.

Answer 10

no its not to late my mam who is 38 has just had little boy , if she can do it i think u can x

Answer 11

I assume you mean getting pregnant, specifically, right? There's no one answer to this that applies to everyone. If it helps, though, I am having my first and will be 42 when he is born (41 if he's a little early). Personally, I would not have done this any sooner, but that's me. No matter the method of acquiring or making the kids, for me the deciding factor was am I ready to raise them and will I be up to it for at least another 20 years. The fact that I got pregnant was a lucky shot; I've been told about declining fertility after age 35 but that didn't motivate me to start before I was ready.

Being pregnant after 40 is not as scary as some would have you believe. You have a higher risk of chromosomal abnormalities, but it's really not all that high. If you are in good shape and have a good diet you should not have to worry about gestational diabetes more than someone younger. It's common in my area for people to start thinking about their first children at 35-40.

If you get pregnant at all, ever, a very serious thing to consider is whether you would terminate in the case of serious birth defects. Youth isn't a guarantee that you won't face this. Tests can be done in the first trimester for everything - Down's Syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities. I chose to have these tests done at week 12, but you may not want to. Even though it's not like having a crystal ball, it was reassuring for me. The risks of miscarriage are very low at that point.

I hope that wasn't too much information - I didn't mean it to sound scary. I am like many women in that I am having a perfectly healthy pregnancy after 40 and you may, too.

Answer 12

my mom had me at 45

Answer 13

Idk if a woman wants a baby i'd say have the baby But when ur 49 and above i'd say okay i think it's time to slowwwwwwwwwwwwwww down! lol

Answer 14

You gotta be kidding me.  Not as long as you aren't a dry potato.

The risk of downs syndrome goes up at 35 but there's no reason you can't have kids.  

Answer 15

Well, I didn't have my girl until I was 33.  I simply wasn't ready until then.  Now I am almost 35 and I thinking of having another one.  I think 40 is probably pretty late to have a baby, but still depending on your health then into your early 40's is fine.  

When it comes to having kids, there is not one age that is right for everyone.  It all depends on your personal plans and your general health.  I know some people that at 25 are not as healthy as I am at 35 because of excessive drinking, smoking, lack of exercise etc.

So only you can really gage what is too late.  

Answer 16

You probably need to get busy with your reproductive chores in the next 7 to 9 years. These answers about 40 to 50 year old women having their last baby is not the same as having your first baby.

Answer 17

The biggest problem is that with a woman's increasing age their is greater risk of genetic abnormalities such as Down's syndrome. Other considerations are do you want teenagers driving you nuts when you are in your sixties? If you really want kids most people will advise you to do it sooner than later.  

Answer 18

My daughter just had her first baby at 41.