I'm 37 and people are starting to say I'm too old to have kids are they right???

Question

I was late starting my periods (I started when I was 16) and I am 37 now. People keep saying that if I want kids I should get pregnant now as it is getting too late for me to have kids safely and I have a higher risk of something hapening to me and the baby. Am I really getting too old??

My other half is older than me by 8 years

Miriam Z you make it sound all too scary to even think about having a baby.
The one thing I will add is that even though I am 37 and my other half is 45 we want to have a family in the near future. We have to wait for a while only because we are in seprated countries at the moment and I won't have a child out of marriage and he understands this. I have never had an abortion or would even think of having one. even though I am over weight I am trying to lose this weight and I no longer smoke

Answer 1

When I read what you wrote, I felt like someone was telling my story. I had my first child at 38 and my second at 40. I also was over weight and a smoker (I did stop smoking while I was pregnant). It is true that after age 35 there are more risks involved in having a child and with each year that passes from that point, it grows exponentially. The risk is higher but it doesn't necessarily mean that something bad will happen to you or your baby. More and more women are having children later in life and I am familiar with stories of women having children even in their mid-40s and late 40s. When you are pregnant, you should have aminosentices (spelling?) done. I was aware of the risks and decided that after the results of the aminosentises, if something was wrong with the baby, I would abort. I also, like you, never had an unwanted pregnancy and never felt that I would have an abortion even if I had an unwanted pregnancy; I just didn't want to bring a disabled child into the world, if it could be helped. Also, you should have regular ultra-sound sessions, maybe more than what is proformed on younger mothers. I had one done every month - they measure the fetus, check the organ development and brain development, etc. The following I say to you with kindness in my heart - sometimes over weight woman have more difficulties getting pregnant, as well, so do under weight woman. Aside from that, in general, sometimes it takes time to get pregnant or other obstacles come into play. Because of your age, I would suggest that when you do decide to get pregnant, try for 6 mo. and if it does not happen, get professional help (fertility professional) as soon as possible. You don't have to be anxious but you don't want to be hasty with time either, especially if you are planning on more than one child in your life. I can tell you this, I have done some interesting things in my life, studied, traveled...having my kids (the joy that they have given me and what I have learned from them and through them) is the best single thing I have ever done in my life.

Answer 2

At 40, the chance of Down Syndrome is 1 in 109. Age 35 has been recommended as the age at which aggressive screening be done via ultrasound and possibly amniocentesis or chorionic villous sampling. It's important, though, to factor in whether you'd do anything with the information. (Women who would never consider an abortion, no matter what, might not want to subject a probably normal baby to the very small risks associated with the invasive procedures.)

It makes sense that chromosomal problems go up with advancing maternal age, because the egg a woman conceives with is as old as she is. Every woman was born with all of the eggs she ovulates with for the rest of her post-pubescent, pre-menopausal life. So if you're 30, and your Mom was 30 when she conceived you, then you're the product of an egg that developed 60 years ago!
Before you think that you sure are lookin' good for 60, remember the sobering aspect of all of this--the older you are, the older your eggs and their chromosomes are--this is the reason for age-related risk.
The sperm, on the other hand, are young whipper-snappers, so they don't play a role in the risk of Down Syndrome as related to paternal age. The father's age, however, will influence the chances of other genetic (autosomal dominant) diseases, like Marfan Syndrome, Huntington Chorea, and von Willebrand Disease.

Answer 3

If you want to have kids then don't let anyone convince you otherwise. As you get older it will get harder for you to get pregnant and there are some increased chances for complications, but that is no reason to not try. If people are telling you that you shouldn't have kids at your age because you will be an older parent and won't experience as much of your childs life as younger perents, then just ignore them. Life is a game of chance and young parents die in car crashes with a houseful of toddlers or middle age parents die of heart attacks with a houseful of teenagers. Don't live you life according to other people's "what if's". Good luck.

Answer 4

As long as you are healthy and are having regular periods I do not see that there hould bve a problem. You may want to make sdure that you have plenty of vitamins to help prevent the possibility of Downs Syndrome actually folic acid plus vitamins. I see that God males every woman a promise that if they follow Him and are ture to Him he will see them through th birthing process and I relied on that for all 9 of my children. I was 37 when I had my last ans she was very healthy and is now an 11 year old. Good luck and rely on God.

Answer 5

No way, you may have a hard time conceiving but no way are you too "old" to have kids! Many women start at your age because they were focusing on their careers, so go ahead do what is best for you. Just look into any health risk, because I do believe that you may be considered a "high risk pregnancy".

Answer 6

Alot of people are waiting until your age to start having their families. Look at all the actress in their 40's having babies. If you want a family I think now is the best time to start. Good luck and I hope God blesses you with babies.

Answer 7

Not at the moment, but that clock's ticking away. Loads of people have kids in their forties. My mother had twins when she was 40, and her mother was still having kids at 46. You just have to be sure you want them, and make a decision soon because before you know it, you'll be 38 and you have to allow time to actually fall pregnant, 9 months to carry,etc. Sorry if it sounds like I'm making your life whiz past !

Answer 8

You aren't too old to conceive but after 35, women have a higher risk of giving birth to a child with Down's syndrom.

Answer 9

I don't think so but to be sure go to your gynecologist and get a check up. He/she will be able to tell you if it will be a good idea but from what I say plenty of woman your age are having children and they are fine as a matter of fact my mom had my youngest brother when she was 39 and he is a healthy, happy and doing well.

Answer 10

My Dear My Dear!!! you can answer this better than I can so-How Healthy are you??
Do you take good care of yourself- stay fit- eat good and try to keep your weight in some!!controll??If you can say yes then you can say YES!!!! to a baby- so YES get out there and make a baby your own personal Blessing-Good Luck-RocLizzie