what is the latest age someone should try for their first?

I know you guys know I lurk over here...and I love all the LIW babies...but am not really sure that I am ready...


but with biology and people telling me there really isn't a time when you are ready and working in education...I feel like my time is limited...


so I know you guys aren't medical professionals...but just want to hear what my peers think...some of you may know my age - but I won't mention it here...so this is as unbiased as possible...

What is the MAXIMUM age that a woman should begin to try for her first?


and if you want to interject with any 'readiness' opinions...please do so

I think it depends on the person. There are many women that have their first later in life. We're trying for our first and I'm 32.

I dont think there should be or there is an age limit. I really think it has alot to do with the individual woman, and also with the couple and their lifestyle.

I know someone who, in her late 30's (39), already has 2 kids, and for the past 3-4 years has been saying she's 'way too old' for another one. (and her hubby would LOVE more).
I really think the saying that 'age is a state of mind' is really big in this case. Her not even budging on the possibility and her hubby dreaming and drooling over even one more...is a little sad, but she is entitled to her decision

So as far as age limit, I really think each woman should have children when she/they are ready, willing and able to devote time and love to them, regardless of her age.

Everyone feels 'old' at different ages. Its a shame that this friend of mine feels 'so old' at such a YOUNG AGE! I know many people in their 70's and 80's who are so much younger at heart!
Was that a tangent?

I had Damien when I was 35 and will try for #2 when I'm 37

I voted for the highest age bracket, but in truth, I think that the right age is when you're ready. As long as the plumbing is working it's not too late.

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Posted by JennRenee

As long as the plumbing is working it's not too late.

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Jenn, I agree! But what I was always afraid of is unless you start trying, you may never know if the plumbing is working. So I wouldn't want to wait that long. Age is a number only!

Unfortunately, it's not about our opinion on this topic, but about cold facts! the best time to have a first is in your early 20s. But who is actually going to have babies at that age?
With the current life styles it's quite impossible!

We get married later in life than our parents, have different goals, and put off parenthood for later. However, the fact that we have different plans in life from our parent doesn't change the fact that our bodies are designed a certain way and with age our reproduction system slows down.

I am 29 and we planning TTC this year. I know it's a little late biologically, but emotionally and financially this is the time for us to do it!

While so many woman are having kids in their late 30s (and more power to them for that)our best bet to have the first child is by the age of 32 the latest. After that, our 'pipes' start to clogg and all sorts of bad things start to happen! So unfare! Men's eqipment can produce babies well in their 60s!

Good luck to all TTC!

I'm amazed that the 40-45 has the highest %.
Why would you start 'trying' for your first kid at that age?
I dont think there is anything wrong with having children at this age or any age but I certainly wouldnt suggest somebody wait till they were 45 to start trying.
The chances of getting pregnant at that age have to be sorta slim.
God bless those woman that can

I don't really think there is a latest age. You should start trying to have babies when you are ready. If the plumbing no longer works and the desire to have a child is there, adoption is a beautiful alternative. I don't think that anyone should have a baby before they are ready because of some fear that they have waited too long.

My aunt didn't start having children until she was 35 and just had her third in August at 38. My grandmother gave birth to my aunt when she was 48, but she wasn't just starting - she already had five children. My poor uncle who was 24 at the time refused to go anywhere with my grandmother alone because people were STARING at them in shock.

Ok, this subject bothers me a bit because I'm one of the 'old' fogies on this board. I agree with what Anna and JennRenee said 100% -- there really is no way to answer this because you have to be ready, both mentally and physically to have a baby.

I wanted to start having kids when I was 21 -- I wanted 6 BTW -- but unfortunately, or maybe fortunately now that I look back, I was in a relationship where I was ready to commit, but he wasn't, so there went that. I didn't meet my soulmate until I was 33 and by then I had given up any chance of getting married, let alone having a baby. I got married at 36 and I got pregnant for the first time at 37, had a miscarriage and then got pregnant again. I had Gianna when I was 38 -- and GULP (I cannot believe I'm typing this) I'll be 39 (as I sit here and cringe because this just cannot be true ) in March. I will definitely try to have another soon, aiming to have it before I turn that other number.

Sorry I rambled on, but as you can see this topic hits too close to home. I know that age sometimes plays a factor, but I really and truly think that if you're healthy, that plays a bigger part in it. More and more women today are having kids later in life because they choose to. And not for nothing but you can be young and have problems also -- I had a friend who was 23 when she had her son and she had all sorts of problems, so it doesn't just happen because you're older. Yes, there are more chances of that happening, but for the most part, I think you can still have a healthy pregnancy and child when you're in your late 30s to early 40s.

I'm shutting up now!

My aunt had her 1st when she was 40 and her second when she was 46!!

I will be 31 in May and I think I have plenty of time, People pressure us all the time. We will have children when we are ready..when we are financially and emotionally ready too. I wonder when that will be?

Like Bearsbabe, this question is very personal for me. I will be having my first child when I am 38. That is just the way life worked for me - and I wouldn't change a thing.

I think this question is one only each woman can answer individually - what works for one may not work for another. However, there is no wrong answer - just personal differnces.

I don’t believe there’s a general age where you should start to have babies. This is such a personal choice; it all depends on the parties involved.

I’m going to be 30 this year and my little Madeleine should be arriving with in the next couple of months… and I still think I’m too young to have the responsibility of a baby. But then again, I don’t think I’ll ever think I’m “old enough…” so I guess that’s fair enough.

I do question how these young teen mothers are doing this! Last semester I was working with a school counselor in the Bronx and there was a young girl in his office (17 yrs. old) and we started talking, since she was pregnant. The usual questions where asked, “Is it a girl/boy?” “When’s your due date…?” Etc… Then I asked her if she was scared, and she looked at me strangely. She said, “No, why should I be?” I was shocked by her answer because I’m so afraid that I’m going to do everything wrong. And when I told her that, she brushed me off saying that people do it everyday…

Then I thought about it and came to only one conclusion… Ignorance really is bliss…

Like the others have said, age is just a number. If God finally decides to bless us, I will be 41

I'm so glad Erica posted this. I was so worried about trying for #2 when I am 37 but reading all your stories is an inspiration I don't feel like I have to rush to have #2 and can wait till Damien is 2 which was our original plan Thanks Ladies!!

I hope all new moms in their late thirties-early (that other word) know that they are FAR from alone. Most of the pregnancies I hear about lately unrelated to this board are of people who are in that age group. The woman who works for me is due with her first next month and she'll be forty in July. My other friend/coworker had her first at 36-37 and she'll try for #2 at 39. Another friend at work had her first at 27 and now that her daughter's in school my friend says she is almost always the youngest mom at any school function, sometimes the youngest by several years.

I bet moms in said age group have more wisdom, patience, and experience and I know you'll all raise wonderful, happy and healthy children.

I think there are several factors to consider.
Of course, biologically the best time is in your 20's. But being emotionally and financially ready also have to come into play these days.

Plus, I think it also depends on the number of kids you want.
If you want 1 or 2 kids you might start later than if you wanted 4 or 5, for example.

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Posted by sn00k4

I do question how these young teen mothers are doing this! Last semester I was working with a school counselor in the Bronx and there was a young girl in his office (17 yrs. old) and we started talking, since she was pregnant. The usual questions where asked, “Is it a girl/boy?” “When’s your due date…?” Etc… Then I asked her if she was scared, and she looked at me strangely. She said, “No, why should I be?” I was shocked by her answer because I’m so afraid that I’m going to do everything wrong. And when I told her that, she brushed me off saying that people do it everyday…

Then I thought about it and came to only one conclusion… Ignorance really is bliss…

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On this issue, DH said 'If all the other people can do it, why can't we?'