How old do you think is too old to have a baby?

Question

I want to have babys soon, I was with my guy for 2 1/2 years. But we are not married yet and currently trying tosave for but both of us suck at saving it seems because we have no savings we live pay check to pay check. He is christian and does not want to have kids until we are married and i respect that 100%. But we aint gettin any younger he is 28 and i am 24. I heard the older you are the highy the rick of defects, is this only for teh women or men to.

Answer 1

Natural determines when a female is too old to have a baby, it’s called menopause.

I would wait until both of you are more financially savvy, which often does come with age. Spending and saving is influenced by age, one wants more things when beginning their independence and wants to get rid of all the stuff that has accumulated (and did not maintain its value even in excellent condition) when older.

My mom had us at age 40, 41 and 49. She was more involved with us than many younger parents because she was financially secure before we arrived. Also she did everything she wanted to do before having us. I began young and struggled, working long hours and having less time to spend with my children.

As for health, my siblings and I were fine. Many cultures have children throughout their life, right up to the female’s fifties. Media prints what ever sells. According to USA media, if one is a movie star- having a child in her late forties is progressive, but if you are an average person, it is risky!

For what it is worth, I think you should enjoy your relationship, pay check to pay check, as it is now and when you are ready to make sacrifices to save money then consider having children. You have plenty of time and you will enjoy your children more if you wait until you are ready.

Answer 2

The cut-off age to have a baby is a personal issue that each woman must decide on her own. Being a Christian, I do not use birth control. Before becoming a Christian, I had only used it 3 months of my life and didn't like the effects, so I stopped. I have two wonderful children and am several years older than you and think often of having another.

Sometimes for the health of the mother and baby, a doctor will advise against it, but isn't it ultimately up to God? If God Blesses you with a baby (at whatever age) no matter if the baby is 100% normal or not, would you not still love that child? It's true that the older you get (when you are 40 or older) that the baby has a higher risk of being born with mental retardation or other defects. But, it's just a choice that you have to make on your own.

However, at the age of 24, you are at a perfect age for child bearing. Even if you wait 10 more years. Usually, the high risk of birth defects comes after the age of 40. Even so, these days, there are many things doctors can do to prevent birth defects, if you are past 40 and let your doc know that you wish to have a baby--folic acid is a good preventative at any age when you want to have a baby. Talk with your doctor about taking folic acid and, upon his recommendation, take it before you become pregnant.

Otherwise, prayer goes a long way.

Answer 3

My personal opinion is 40 at the latest but you can safely have one after that too. I just think that for MOST people, you do not want a kid still at home or to be putting one through college when you are supposed to be closing in on retirement. You dont want to be 60 and lugging a kid off to hockey practice at 4 am either. At 24, you are still plenty young. My son was born when I had just turned 23. It worked out good for us and he will be gone, gone, gone when I am 41. My mother was even younger and when I left at 18, my mother was only 37. You dont need to be free that soon but come 50, you will start wanting the house back, I guarantee that. If it is possible for both of you, set 30 as a tentative age for having a baby. Also you two need to get serious about saving. I know how hard it is and we ALL make excuses but if you want a better life, you better start stashing some money.

Answer 4

I had my 4th at 37 (first at 27) and that was pushing it. I only say that because he's a little wild man and I'm not in my 20's anymore! After 35 it becomes a "high risk" pregnancy due to age. The basic problem is that your eggs are now 35 years old (we are born with our egg supply, we don't create more) and statistically more prone to problems like downs syndrome and birth defects. After 35 they will want to do an amniocentesis but of course you can opt out if it (I did and my child was fine). There is no additional risk to men because their bodies are constantly making sperm cells. They don't store them for a lifetime like we do.

Relax, you have plenty of time. What concerns me most is that you say you "suck at saving" and "live paycheck to paycheck". Now is the time to fix that, not when you have a child. Learn how to be self disciplined enough to save. Get more education so that you can have a better income when you decide to get married and have kids. Kids are a big expense and what kind of parent are you going to be if you're stressing about money? Learn to take care of yourself well and when you have a child you'll be better prepared.

My advice. Get married. Be married for a couple years and make sure you have a stable marriage, educate yourselves, buy a home, learn how to save and then think about children.

Good luck :)

Answer 5

With today prenatal care the risks are not as great as they once were. I am one of many women who chose to wait until their early 30s to have her first child and I had my second at 35. At 30 the doctors were not concerned, but I was considered a nontraditional pregnancy. However, at 35 they made me take a lot of tests and even tried to force me into getting an amniocentesis to see if my child has the markers for Down's syndrome. I opted out because there was only a 7% chance of age related Down's and a 27% chance of losing my baby because of the amniocentesis. Anyhow, the docs start worrying at 35 but more and more women are waiting until they are much older and I personally think it is just fine because they are more mature, settled, and patient by then. The risk are higher, but still rare. Enjoy your youth and have children when you are ready and more importantly have children when you are both ready.
Good Luck

Just an FYI for those very few who do not know this: Women do not produce eggs; women are born with all the eggs they will ever have and the reason the risk is greater beyond 35 is because the egg ages along with the woman. Men continue to produce new sperm daily and that is why older men are not considered risk factors. However, some research has shown that very aged men do contribute to the risk factor.

Information about pregnancy after 35:
http://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/pregnancy-after-35
This site gives risk ratios according to age:
http://www.geocities.com/bcjungmph/northrop.pdf
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/466143

Answer 6

It is true the older you are the higher the risk, but at 28 I'm sure you will be OK. I know women that have had babies at 40 and their babies were perfectly healthy. Being a christian you should wait, obviously you don't want to have an illegitimate child. Society has accepted the illegitimate children because the children are innocent it is the sin of the parents. In America there are more bastard children that are born just so their mothers can get money from the government. Children are gifts to us we should be able to take care of them with out dragging them to the welfare office and free clinics. If you really want a child get married, learn to be more disciplined with your money. Wait to have your babies.

Answer 7

while it is true that the older you get the more you are at risk for defects however, this is for significantly older people. You still have a good 10 years before you should start to worry. These statistics are higher for women over 35. Go ahead, take your time and save so you can enjoy this baby even more and be able to provide it with the life it deserves. Good Luck! =)

Answer 8

You can't always go by that although age is a factor for birth defects, I have a sister who's 28, she had a daughter just under 4 years ago with Downs Syndrome, we learned it's always a probability, just make sure you maintain your health as well, there's always chances, you just have to make sure you are willing to live with whatever god gives you, I know a woman who had her first child when she was in her 40's, the daughter graduated college a few years ago and she's fine, don't let it stress you out. Also, while I'm not sure but I think the age factor is more for women unless he has some hereditary factors in his family.

Answer 9

hi.. Has your infant truthfully been clinically determined with measles? i might say that some little ones stricken by measles have particularly difficulty-free indications and go through no issues..in spite of the incontrovertible fact which you will get scientific assistance in case you have faith your baby is heavily ill... call a doctor today IF: -respiration turns into slow and confusing for infant to respire - if infant can't be woken or turns into puzzled -starts off shaking r installation -develops a extreme headache or neck soreness -or if looks quite ill call a doctor interior of 24HRS IF: if baby has a extreme earache -if fever persists for extra tyhan 4 days after rash acknowledged -or if unable to maintain fluids down because of the fact of vommiting or diarrehoea.. As for not having no fever in many situations baby will improve a fever between (39.5 - 40C , 103 - 104c) yet will attain its top on day 4 or 5... the suited you're able to do at house is keep baby properly hydrated with prevalent beverages be certain a brilliant variety of relax supply infant paracetamol if feeling groggy and close curtains to make extra mushy... i might prefer to characteristic i'm not a doctor and while you're clearly apprehensive then visit medical doctors.. use your mothers instinct purely you recognize your baby suited.. and its consistently extra suited to be secure than sorry! i desire this has helpeLittlele! desire lil one gets extra suited quickly

Answer 10

For one thing, if you are living paycheck to paycheck and have no savings you have no business bringing a baby into the world. You say that you are wanting to save for your wedding but you both suck at it....If you want to save for your wedding then you would be well on your way to achieving your goal. Your boyfriend is right. In this situation I would have to tell you to wait. And being 24 is no where close to being too old to have a baby. You are fertile well into your 40's. Yes, as you age you have the risk of birth defects. Many of those you can ward off by taking certain vitamins. Don't rush into this for it is the biggest job of your life that you can't undo.