what age do you think is too old to have kids?

Question

i am a single 27 year old mother of a 3 year old boy. i desperately want to have just one more child. i really wanted to be done having kids by age 28 but that's not going to happen. i dont want to have any kids past 32 though even then i dont know if within 5 years i will be remarried and pregnant again. i just want your opinion, at what age is it unsafe as well as unacceptable to society for a woman to have a child.

Answer 1

Your chance as a woman of becoming infertile as you age:
15-24 years old.......... 4.1%
25-34 years old.......... 13.1%
35-44 years old.......... 21.4%
(from the National Center for Health Statistics).

"A woman's fertility declines steadily after reaching peak levels between ages 18 and 25. From then to age 35 the average woman's fertility drops by about one half and thereafter declines more rapidly. By age 40 the average fertility rate is 15% of that found at age 25. The down slope continues until it reaches very low levels (1% or less per month chance of pregnancy) at age 44 and beyond. "
(from http://www.donorivf.com/agefactor.html)

in other words, don't wait too long.

Answer 2

I know that if you are over 35 the chances of having a down symdrom baby are higher, but I do not think 28 or 32 are too old at all. I think that women into their 30's can have babies. I personally think that the 40's are too old, but you have lots of time! Don't rush another marriage just to have another baby though. Take your time and find the right guy for you and see what happens in time. Some of life's greatest joys are those we can't plan or schedule. Have fun with your son and take life as it comes - enjoy yourself! Good luck!

Answer 3

Unsafe...40s. The woman's body is older, and at this point, her eggs are starting to "deteriorate". (This is why most OBs treat pregnant women in their 40s as high risk patients. The risk for genetic abnormalities/defects is much higher [because of the older eggs]).

Unacceptable...if pregnancy occurs naturally, then no age is unacceptable in my opinion. If a 50 year old woman who hasn't gone through menopause yet goes to a fertility clinic to get pregnant, that's just tacky and weird.

Answer 4

40

Answer 5

When you get to be like 40 then it might be a health risk for you to have a child. As long as you go to the doctor and make sure you are healthy enough to have a child then there is no reason for you not to unless you don't feel that you have the energy to take care of it.

Hope this helps

Answer 6

I just had a baby and I am 30. I had an awful pregancy and ended up delivering my baby 6 weeks early due to complications of preeclampsia.

I am not saying that women over 30 can't have children, I just think that the risk of birth defects, pre-term labor, preeclampsia, or other pregnancy related difficulties are more of a risk. I definetly wouldn't advice anyone over 35 to give birth. Most OB/GYN's will refer those over 35 to a geneticist anyhow.

Answer 7

by 40

Answer 8

40-50

Answer 9

38

Answer 10

After the age of 36 it is advised to have extra testing done if you are pregnant to rule out birth defects, but as long as you are healthy you can have a healthy baby until you go into menopause.