Am I too old at 42

[Nottinghill1]

To try for another baby? My daughter is now 9 years old. Is it too risky to try now,just want some honest opinions!!!

[feetheart]

I had DD at 40 and DS at 43. Both were easy, straight-forward pregnancies and DS was a planned home birth.
People will tell you all about the risks but life is a host of risks and if you paid attention to them all you'd never leave your bed :)

[Nottinghill1]

Thanks feetheart that is encouraging!!

[Rox19]

Good luck but high risk of mc and autism type problems - know 4 40/42yr olds who have had continuous mc And now given up Ttc more.. Then another 2 did have babies -yay- but both had autism/ LDdiagnoses by time girls were 2y
old

I'm guessing everyone will say go for it, but this is my personal experience, it is a bit grim but hey you asked for opinions.
Gutted for 2 with problems -1 woman was told her age was likely cause (42 and her husband is only 29 and no family history on either side)

[gamescompendium]

Not too risky, I found out I was pregnant with DS (DC3) on my 41st birthday (he'll be 2 in a couple of weeks and so far seems normal!). I was recently at a reunion with my Uni friends and 3/4 of the women had (NT) children in their 40s, the one who hadn't had health issues that she knew would impact on her fertility and so she had her children in her 20s/early 30s.

Beyond that group of friends I know lots of women from school and uni and work who have had children in their 40s, our parents had children very young so they are the unusual generation. In the 1930s there were double the number of children born to women in their 40s than there is now so we've got a way to go yet.

[Churchillian]

I have several friends who have given birth in their early 40's and there are plenty of over 40's on here too who have small children who have no issues caused by being older mothers. I have an 18 month old daughter (I'm 43) who shows no sign of having any SEN and am now pregnant again and expecting a boy in October. The main difficulty is getting pregnant and staying pregnant rather than negative outcomes for the child once born for older mothers. I personally have not had any issues conceiving or a miscarriage but I knew that there was a strong possibility of both. If you're aware of these risks, but would still like to try to conceive, I think you should go for it.

[wiltingfast]

I know at least 2 women who had babies in their 40s, one did have a miscarriage but the children they have between them seem absolute perfect.

Good luck with your decision, it is a big one!

[Pippioddstocking]

If you fall pregnant straight away then you will be 60 when he/she is 18!

Just a thought .

[feetheart]

Well I'm 51 now (and will be 52 next month :)) with an 11 yr old and an 8 yr old. Yes I will be 60 at some point though I am in denial but I'm running half marathons now and still want to do a full marathon. Age is just a number and nothing in life is certain - my dad died at 35 when I was 7, both DD and DS have had more of me in their life than I had with my dad.

[springlamb]

My mate is 43 and has dc of 17, 15, 8 and 6. Last Xmas she felt she had eaten too many mince pies.
For the past 3 weeks there's been a wriggly 8lb mince pie dressed in pink baby gro hanging about her house.
Mate is very tired but says she feels more relaxed with this one than with any of the others.

[HorseyGirl1]

Hi there, I hope not! I'm 42 and would very much like another one too. I have one DC and had him when I was 40. I had a mmc last year and have just found out that my hormones are low (I've other issues too but none age-related ) but I've been referred and hoping this will make the difference for me. I don't want to reach 50 and regret not trying. I've given myself a limit of 45 then I'll say enough. (My granny had my DA when she was 45 and my dad when she was 42.) Go for it - I certainly intend to.

[Bohemond]

I'm 42 and pregnant with my first. It's been a breeze but I am lucky to be fit and healthy to begin with.
I accept that there is more risk for things like downs with an older mother but I have never seen any evidence for other LDs, autism etc.
Is this true? Ros could you please explain or are you citing anecdotal evidence only?

[NorwaySpruce]

In all probability things will b fine.

There is supposed to be a slightly higher risk of 'things' with increasing age, but the risk is minimal to begin with. And many pregnancies fail almost before they begin due to medical issues, so you would me none the wiser.

Most of the women I know who are currently pregnant, with no known issues, are 38+.

The stats on miscarriage and birth defects tend to be from years ago, when health status/lifestyle choices were different.

And I'd imagine your daughter would be --->

Don't make it a big deal, if it happens, it happens.

[SecretWitch]

I became pregnant with my third child at 42. I had an easy pregnancy and delivery. My 'baby' is going to be seven in October. There is a 10 year gap between my oldest and youngest. My dh became a first time father at the age of 41. We understood we would be parenting into our sixties but decided having our lovely baby was well worth the effort.

Good luck with your decision.

[Sheepoverthemoon]

Hi hope this helps - my dh is 27 and his mother is 69 and she is no older mentally then my mother who is 55. She is fit as a fiddle and he never knew any difference growing up, he is the youngest of three, 7 years apart for each.

[Spangila]

I'm 44 and TTC. There are increased risks now we are ancient but I'm certainly fitter and healthier than I was in my 20's.

Also, I agree with Bohemond, I have never heard of an increased chance of autism/ LD with an older mum - in fact medical evidence would suggest that even the experts don't know what causes autism.

Good luck Nottinghill1 - may you get your BFP soon (and me too please...)