What is the average age a woman gives birth for the 1st time in the USA currently? Where do I fit in?

Question

What is the average age for a woman to give birth (for the first time) is? Specifically in the USA, and in modern/current times. Does anyone have an actual statistic or a good educated guess based on facts?

Some background info on why I'm asking: I turned 25 this week & my boyfriend is 26. We've been together for over 8 years & we've talked about marriage though we are not engaged yet. I'd like to get married soon and I'm thinking I'd like to have a child before I'm 30 which gives me about 4 years until I absolutely want to try to get pregnant. My mom had me when she was 23 (my dad was 26.) My boyfriend's mom had him when she was 16 (and his dad was 17) so basically our parents were already PARENTS by our age, and seem to wish that for us soon also. I'm not ready just yet, but feel ready to tie the knot any day now, and assume I'll want a baby soon thereafter.

Basically, I just want to know how old the majority of first-time mothers are in current times to see where I stand!

Answer 1

"The average age of women having their first birth in 2002 was 25.1 years"-- http://mchb.hrsa.gov/mchirc/chusa_04/pages/0314ma.htm

Answer 2

Let's ignore the racist/religious element. Whether it was meant or not it is not that relevant to the answer. Did you know that over the last 10 years the birth rate for couples in Iran has really tumbled (I don't know the current figures) because women want a better life for themselves and they are aware it is attainable in other countries. I doubt very much if the birth rate difference between immigrants and UK residents with their roots here will last more than 3 generations, especially with mixed marriages. It isn't the genes or the colour which are particularly worrying. What worries me is things like: 1. people come here with no intention of embracing British life and attitudes and 2. the British being unwelcoming in a way that forces them to stick to their own and produce centres of foreignness The only peaceful solution is that we have to get on. Any other idea is warped. However I would like to cut the rate at which people come in down. I would hate to be the crowded Hong Kong of Europe, a populous offshore island, however prosperous.

Answer 3

I think there's a BIG difference between the responsible age to have a baby and what's happening in our current society.

I'm 26 and have not had any kids yet. In contrast, all my high school friends have multiple children by now but most are unhappy and working underpaid jobs.

I think that to be a responsible parent you need to be able to realistically provide for the baby. Teenagers having kids are NOT able to provide as much for their children as a person who's well into a career and is financially stable.

Said all that to say, 20 might be the "median" age everybody is doing it but is that a smart age??? Not to me. I chose, like you, to wait and hopefully have a baby before I turn 30. I'm financially stable, I have a house, and just got married. If it happens soon it happens.