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thread: How Old is Too Old???

  1. #1
    lj268 Guest

    How Old is Too Old???

    Hi everyone,
    Well me and my DP have recently found out Im pg.....WOO HOO! This will be his 1st child and my 6th (if all goes well I must add). But I am wondering, how old is too old to have a baby?
    Im sure some people think Im too old to be having a baby (Im 40 now and DP is only 28 lol), but I have wanted another baby for ages now, and m/c'd twice two years ago (to a previous relationship) and now of course, Im worried that something will go wrong.
    So far, so good though, and I go for my 12 week U/S on the 27/6 to check for abnormalities etc. I have a really good feeling about this one though and am really looking forward to another little bundle of joy to become part of our family.
    What does everyone think about the age thing???
    Thanks for reading this and I hope I havent bored anyone lol.
    Best of luck to you all
    Bye 4 now lj....

  2. #2
    Registered User

    May 2005
    Good ole NZ !!
    1,870

    Good luch with your pregnancy ...

    My g/f had her 2nd child at 39 (with a 15 year age gap)...

    if all else fails... go with the old saying... "Your only as old as the man you feel" LOL..

  3. #3
    Registered User

    Oct 2006
    2,525

    40 is def not too old!!! theres some higher risks sure but if u take care of yourself and its what u want then absolutely go for it and who cares if anyone else thinks ur too old anyway if its what u want then i say all the best for a hnh preggy
    congratulations!!!

  4. #4

    Oct 2005
    A Nestle Free Zone... What about YOU?
    5,374

    Goodness I hope it's not too old - I am 39 and will be 40 in August

    I know sooooo many women my age having children that I just don't think it's at all unusual. Statistically we have an increased risk of chromosomal abnormalities in our children - though I believe these can be offset by supplementation, nutrition and lifestyle.

    Congratulations on your pregnancy wishing you a healthy happy pregnancy!

  5. #5
    Registered User

    Feb 2007
    2,068

    Firstly congratulations. My aunty is about to have her 3rd child and has just turned 42. Your only as old as you feel.
    Wishing you all the best for your pregnancy.

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Nov 2004
    Giving the gift of life to a friend..
    4,264

    My closest friend lives in Seattle & had a long term partner (BUt I guess he wasnt the one!?), but she came to Bali to meet me there & we travelled a bit together & she met a man fell in love...
    Another 3-4yrs of travelling back & fourth to see this man she had fallen for & they married & he moved to Seattle to be with her! She was already in her mid 40's at this time, it was then discovered he required Heart Surgery & during his recovery period they discovered he had Hep C from years of drug abuse (In his younger days) she is very spiritual & they used Meditation & other alternative therapies to overcome some of his Demons... By the time she was 47 he was given the all clear & soon after she discovered she was pregnant, they now have an absolutely adorable 3yr old son & are TTC baby #2!
    She knows it is likely their son will be an only child... But if you saw her you'd never believe she's 50! She looks mid 30's & is an amazing person.....

    I dont think aqnyone else can ever tell you that your too old...

    I know for me personally Ithis is my last as i dont think I could keep up or cope with being preg & older... But if it happened I'd cope & be ghappy about it IYKWIM...

    Things happen in life for a reason & right now is the right time for you...


    Massive Congratulations.... OOOH to have a 28yr old.... GRRRRRR! LOL

  7. #7
    BellyBelly Member

    Jun 2005
    Sydney
    2,121

    He, he, ..congrats on the BFP AND the 28 year old !!!

    Besides the obvious chromosome risks, i wouldnt say 40 was too old. Women these days are having children later (in their 30's) compared to my parents day when 19 was the norm. I suppose the ole bod isnt as crisp as what it used to be when you were say 21, but its mind over matter, if you feel you can do it, go for it !!!

  8. #8
    Registered User

    Jan 2004
    Melbourne, Australia
    1,002

    lj,
    i had my first child at 40 and had a fantastic pregnancy and did not feel bad with the all nighters with a newborn. We have been TTc no 2 since then and while at 41, I cuold not picture myself still trying at 45, here we are still trying. I don't think it is too old although it freaks me out thinking I might be 60 with a 14 year old. but 40 is definitely not too old. there is a thread someone started a few weeks ago about people over 40 and trying. I am sure they would love to hear from you.

  9. #9
    Registered User

    Jan 2006
    Dunedin New zealand
    1,545

    40 is not to old, i am 40 and TTC fingers grossed it will happen soon.

  10. #10
    paradise lost Guest

    I'm my mum's 6th (my dad's 2nd) and she was 43 when i was born. 40 ain't too old at all!

    Bec

  11. #11
    Registered User

    Mar 2007
    on cloud 9.....
    2,105

    Heck no, I certainly don't think that 40 is too old. Best of luck with your pg. Best of all, enjoy it..

  12. #12

    Oct 2005
    A Nestle Free Zone... What about YOU?
    5,374

    I just want to add as someone made the point about chromosomes.

    Our chronological age is different to our biological age. Many women are older biologicaly or younger biologically than they are chronologically. This is something that has been highlighted in recent years.

    Statistically more children with chromosomal difficulties are born to women under 35 than over 35. Granted this can be due to the fact that women over 35 are offered routine testing by many care providers.

    I have to say antecdotally I have seen in my job more women under 35 with babies diagnosed with chromosomal disorders than over 35.
    There is much we don't know. But when a woman eats high quality food, supplements her diet with good quality supplements (our soil in Australia is known to be depleted in zinc and selenium to name just two), doesn't smoke, protects herself from environmental toxins and "routine chemicals" and her partner does the same her chances of having a healthy baby are huge.

    Folate, b12 and b6 are proven to affect in a positive way our dna and that of our partners.

    So, there is much a woman can do over 35 to help ensure a healthy baby and a healthy pregnancy...

  13. #13
    lj268 Guest

    Thanks all for such a great response, it make me feel a lot better to read about what others think, especially those in the same boat as me so to speak....
    Mitch: I use that old saying a lot lol, seems to work for me, if not I get a bit of a laugh out of it!
    Flowerchild: Thanks for your words of wisdom and encouragement. I sometimes wonder about the statistics with older women having more of a chance of having a chromosone imbalanced child, I often think its because there arent as many older women having babies and so the statistics are gonna be higher? Well thats what I often think anyway?? Oh and btw, when in August is ur b'day? I turn 41 on the 26th August.
    Tracey: Your friend truly is an amazing woman, glad to hear that her DH was given the all clear and also to hear about their success with having a bub. I wish her all the luck with TTC #2. I too have a friend who met a wonderful guy who was diagnosed with Hep C and they are hoping to get the all clear so they can start TTC. She is 47.
    Anney: I must try and find that thread, I'd love to read about others in the same way as me.
    Bear & Tracey: Oh, thanks for the words of jealously about my darling toy boy lol. It can be a great thing at times having a younger guy, but it used to be a hassle when going out, all those young ones trying to chat him up lol!!!

    Anyway, thanks again everyone for your responses, I wish you all well with your pgs and those TTC.

    lj xoxo

  14. #14

    Oct 2005
    A Nestle Free Zone... What about YOU?
    5,374

    The 25th so we are almost birthday buddies!

  15. #15
    suz Guest

    40 is the new 30 dont they say!!!!!
    I am 39 this year and had number 1 at 24, Number 2 at 31 and due with number 3 in September. I had complications in first two pregnancies and no worries at all so far with number 3 Must be getting better with age !!!!!

  16. #16
    Registered User

    Mar 2007
    South Australia
    19

    My mum had her 6th child at 42, so no, definitely not too old!

  17. #17
    Registered User

    Jul 2005
    Sydney
    7,896

    I hope nobody thinks 40 is too old, since one day I might be having my last child at that kind of age!

    Seriously though, if you go to some areas (like where I live) 40 is quite common. Amongst a group of half a dozen mothers that I made friends with when I was pg, one was having her 2nd (with a 13 year age gap) at 43, one was having her first (an IVF bub) at 40, one was having twins at 38 (her 1st and 2nd), another was having her first at 36 and I was the youngest at 29!

    I would think trying for your first child after the age of 40 might be difficult (and perhaps if at all possible, best started earlier), but certainly not too old to be a parent!

  18. #18
    Registered User

    Oct 2006
    North Lakes, Brisbane
    1,590

    40 is the new 30 so congratulations!!!!!

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