is 38 too old to start a family ?

Answer 1

of course not, if that's what you want! I'm laughing as I read some of the other responses to your question - as though 40 is some magic number where you automatically become old and incapable and inept.... Puhlease. Remember, people used to not live much beyond late 50s, 60s, and they were having babies when they were in their 20s. So the way I figure it, if we live into our 80s, we should be able to have kids well into our 40s and 50s (if it were possible, and of course medically it becomes more and more possible the more advanced we get). Things change, we live longer, (we don't die in childbirth!), we live BETTER - of COURSE you can start your family! Have fun trying!

Answer 2

Absolutely not at all. If you are in good health and want to, then go for it.

And by the way - from a 44 year old who has a 3 year old - aside of what some of the others have posted your energy levels DO NOT "deplete" when you turn 40 - emotionally or physically - and as for being too old to "learn" how to be a parent, to be honest it is the mature age first time mothers who often cope much **better** than the younger mothers - they have more general life experience under their belt, they are often more patient, more settled in their relationships, better off financially and have more confidence. Not to say that being a young mother is any less of an experience! But in over 20 years of caring for pregnant women and mothers and their babies, this is a very general observation.

You are not "past it" - in fact, you are still well capable of having 2 or 3 kids, if you take care. I look and feel better at 44 than I did when I was 22, and I have the photos to prove it.

Mature parenthood rocks - go for it!!!

Answer 3

Dear God, I hope not, because I'm 35 this year, and still at least a year or two off from trying to have a baby. Here's the way I feel about it. I'm the youngest of 5 kids, with a big gap between my sis and I, so my parents were older than average for the 1970s...My dad was 46 when I was born...my mom was 33. So, the disadvantages were: hmmm...I guess they weren't as outdoor-active as they might have been when they were younger (although my parents are a little more bookish and crafty than "sportsy" anyway. I guess the biggest pain it caused me was that my dad was retiring the year I graduated from HS, and at that time 65 sounded so incredibly, frightfully old (doesn't sound so bad anymore)
On the positive side, my parents were wiser, calmer, had more time for me, I was pretty sure they knew how to do EVERYTHING..(ok, I still think that, they're really two quite smart people), they had more money...etc. Overall I'd say the tradeoff was worth it as a child.
Now, as a potential parent my criteria are:
1. I will have to be in good health--no diseases that suggest an early demise for me, as I won't intentionally leave a child without either parent--that is to say, what happens happens, but I won't aim for it.
2. I will have to be in good physical shape--pregnancy is tough on a body and I'd like to have my back and knees be able to sustain my weight plus a baby and his/her environment.
3. I will have to be ready to have the world not revolve around me--and I AM a soprano, so that might be tough.
4. My relationship with my husband will have to be strong (babies can be a crisis along with a blessing)
5. My body will need to agree with me that it still has it in itself to have a baby. In other words, for me personally, fertility treatments are not an option...so if it can't happen naturally, I will build my family with some of the many children of this world who need a home. I am truly obsessed by the idea of pregnancy...I think it's incredible and I hope to experience it at least once...but if not, I will not spend my life savings to pack my body full of hormones in order to have a blood-child...parenting is of the heart, not the DNA...

well, anyway, that's the conclusion I've drawn as I'm watching my mid-thirties race by. (OMG, how does it go so fast?!?)

Anyway, good luck to you...
--Kat

Answer 4

To start a family? So, this would be your first child? A new experience of becoming a parent at such an advanced age can be a good thing but nowadays it's probably a bad thing. You will have to learn the parenting process as your body depleats physically and emotionally. It can be stressful and also frustrating. Your child will come home one day after parents evening, admitting that all the other kids make fun of him/her because of his "past it" parents. This is not a dig at you, personally but it IS what happens and it will.
You may become frustrated as the years grow by that you will be able to participate in your child's physical activities less and less. And, so will your child, no doubt.
If this is your first child, as your question leads me to believe; are you going to have any more if you have one now? I guess not. Then your child will become even more frustrated at the fact that they had no-one to play with as a youngster. Believe me, i'm an only child and i'm so envious of the fact that my friends have siblings. Where being an only child CAN be a good thing, in this society, it is not. My family used to get me all these board games and 2+ player games and i would sit there playing Monopoly by myself trying to beat the banker (myself also). How sad is that? Very. And i'm sure you won't want your child to go through any of this.
Have fun deciding.

Answer 5

in my opinion yes, for the simple fact that when the child turns 2 and is very very active and demanding, you turn 40 and your energy levels take a very big dip down.
but, depending on the circumstances, it would be fine if you recently found the man of your life and haven't had any kids yet- (every woman should get to experience pregnancy and child raising at least once). but again just in my opinion i wouldn't have another baby at 38 because it would be so much harder than having a baby at even 30. Go with what your heart says.. if you really want it, then go for it! if it's just a thought, i would avoid it.. unless you have the energy and will to make yourself get up all the time all night and day, diapers, puke, etc. Best of wishes to whatever you decide!

Answer 6

No. My husbands mom had him in her 40's. Do what you want. Talk to your dr. Get whatever tests done that you need to make sure that your body can handle a pregnancy. If that's what you are talking about. Just make sure that there is a father in the picture. It's too difficult to be a single parent.

Answer 7

From a personal view it is never too late, but here's the thing, if you wait too long then your cheating yourself out of the clear path for fun when their all grown up.

I was 26 when my family was in the making and now at 48 I am chillin Dude. Get my drift...Chillin...no kids, no hassles, all of them in College...my job is done.

Their wings grow and they take flight and leave the nest and you say to yourself. a job well done.

No more kids for me. HELL NO!! Its party time.

Answer 8

yes and no. There are more risks involved in having a baby over the age of 35 but so many people are having babies well into their 40s. Do what you think is best for you...if you think you can handle it and are healthy plus prepared to face a lot of prenatal testing then go for it. Good luck!

Answer 9

I say no if you are mentally preparedfor what might happen such as complications or miscarriage as you will be high risk because you are over 35 but if you are determined then go for it but you may only want to have one child

Answer 10

No. My mom had my brother when she was 38.