Anybody start a family in their mid 30's

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Susan0279
Susan0279 Posts: 69 Member
Hello I am 34 and my husband is 41. We have been married for 6 years together for 11. We are talking about starting a family this year. I know that there are risks, but we have always wanted a family (that is why I am here I want to be healthy). I know it sounds weird that I want to lose weight and then get pregnant, but with my age I need to be more cautious than somebody younger than me.

I am just sick and tired of people asking "so when are you going to have kids" I tried being polite, but my husband's uncle kept asking so I finally said no of your damn business.

Just had to vent a little and see if there are any others out there......
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Replies

  • cleotherio
    cleotherio Posts: 712 Member
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    I had my two kids at 32 and 33. I didn't really want any before then, but I guess my clock kicked in. The fitter and healthier you are before pregnancy, the more likely you'll "bounce back" afterward. Sorry people have been on your back about having kids--you're right--it's really none of their business :)
  • liftingbro
    liftingbro Posts: 2,029 Member
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    I was 31 and my wife 38 when we had our daughter, but then we were 30 and 37 when we got married.
  • BeachGingerOnTheRocks
    BeachGingerOnTheRocks Posts: 3,927 Member
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    I was 33 and 37 with mine. Yes, the risks are there, but it isn't too late.
  • BeachIron
    BeachIron Posts: 6,490 Member
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    Graduate school and jobs got in the way until our mid-30s. I'm very glad that we waited.
  • fisherman11
    fisherman11 Posts: 13
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    Hi, yes I had my first son at the age of 34, the second son at the age of 36 and the third son at the age of 37. Then my husband had a vasecotmy.
    After 4 year of trying, investigations etc I was told 'You are very unlikely to conceive, just go away and get on with your life' My father in law died after a short illness and a few weeks later I was pregnant with my first son, then I just seemed to be uber fertile and as soon as I finished breast feeding I got pregnant again and again.
    It is harder when you are older in some ways because it was a big change of lifestyle, I had always worked full time but then the change to full time motherhood was a bit of a shock. Don't let anyone kid you that its easy being a full time mum, its not. Its easier to go to work and let someone else look after the kids, but that was not for me. I had waited so long no one else was going to get all the pleasure my children gave me.
    another thing is that with my 3rd son because of my age I had a test to find out if he could have downs syndrome, this is a standard test in the British NHS - the only snag is that you have to wait weeks for the results and by that time I knew that even if the test was positive there was no way I was going to give him up for abortion.
    apart from that if you really want a child then go ahead. You will have so much more to give them in the way of life experience, patience and time than perhaps a younger mum, who may feel she has missed out on part of her life.
    My boys are all grown up now and instead of them asking me for advice I find myself asking them and respecting their opinions. All their other halves are aged 30 and I keep hoping that one of them will say Mum, you are gong to be a grandma. So I can understand where your relatives are coming from too.
    Good luck and don't worry but most of all only have a baby if its what you want to do not because of pressure from relatives.
    :heart:
  • Timshel_
    Timshel_ Posts: 22,841 Member
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    We had our kids in our beginning 30's. No issues physically and I think, at least for me, I was more mentally ready being later in life.
  • liftingbro
    liftingbro Posts: 2,029 Member
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    My only regret is that we started so late that more than one became very high risk for us so we can only have one. However, that one kid we did have has brought me enough happiness to cover two.
  • danasings
    danasings Posts: 8,218 Member
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    My husband and I were married when I was 33 and I became pregnant for the first time at age 36. He was born two days before my 37th birthday. I was pregnant again 11 months later, and boy number two was born when I was 38. And I was overweight through both pregnancies. And I have lost the "baby weight" and weigh less now than I have my entire adult life.

    So...GO FOR IT!! :happy:

    ETA: both were healthy pregnancies, and both boys are strong, healthy toddlers now. I had "risks" because of my age but I literally put NO stock in any of it, focused on my babies being healthy, and that is what came to pass.
  • liftingbro
    liftingbro Posts: 2,029 Member
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    We had our kids in our beginning 30's. No issues physically and I think, at least for me, I was more mentally ready being later in life.

    Yeah, I look back at it now and I'm greatful that I was older because i don't know if I would have been a good dad when I was younger. It's a tough, but rewarding job do be a Dad and a husband.
  • Iron_Lotus
    Iron_Lotus Posts: 2,295 Member
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    I had my twins 15 months ago I am also 34. I had no risks or complications

    ETA: This is my second marriage I have 4 children from my late husband as well.
  • danasings
    danasings Posts: 8,218 Member
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    We had our kids in our beginning 30's. No issues physically and I think, at least for me, I was more mentally ready being later in life.

    Yeah, I look back at it now and I'm greatful that I was older because i don't know if I would have been a good dad when I was younger. It's a tough, but rewarding job do be a Dad and a husband.

    And I am also glad I waited, because I was sooooo selfish in my 20s!! I was also married to an emotional and mental abuser back then, so doubly glad I didn't have kids with him...
  • juleszephyr
    juleszephyr Posts: 442 Member
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    I was 36 and 38 when I had my two boys and although the risks are higher and the second one was really tough, I don't regret it... Yes get in as good a shape as you can holistically first and look after yourself...
    Good luck
    Jules xx
  • skinnyforcruise2013
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    I was 34 when I had my daughter. I'm glad I was older and I've enjoyed every single moment of it. :smile:
  • Brianna72994
    Brianna72994 Posts: 887
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    My mother had me very young, and then she waited until her 30's to have more. She was 34 with my brother and 38 with my sister. With my brother, she didn't have many complications, although at first they thought he was twins lol. In your 30's, apparently you're more likely to have multiples. With my sister she had a TON of complications. She had gestational diabetes and couldn't eat sugar, and she ended up in the hospital a few times. She also went into early labor, which had to be stopped. Then when she did give birth, they had trouble stopping the bleeding. It was a very rough pregnancy.

    So I guess if you're going to start trying to get pregnant, you should do it soon, before it's too late!


    ETA: My mom's fine now, and both children are very healthy now!
  • 18guyhornet
    18guyhornet Posts: 195 Member
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    Yep - First was born when I was 35, last when I was 42. Keeps you young and I think for the most part people are set in their careers by then or have stopped partying all night long. I love being a dad later in life - wasn't ready in my 20's for sure.
  • weinbagel
    weinbagel Posts: 337 Member
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    so there is still hope for the "internal clock" to switch on? ... haha
  • pinkledoodledoo
    pinkledoodledoo Posts: 290 Member
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    I'm interested in the answers here... I'm 31, hubby is 36 and we have not had kids yet (married 3 years next month). We've always had something in the way whether it was weight/health, smoking cigarettes or just not quite feeling ready. I'm also losing weight so that can be less of an obstacle for us if we decide to try. And I have had the same problem with relatives and friends asking when we're going to have kids... it does become annoying, especially after hearing it for almost 3 years! :tongue:
  • iulia_maddie
    iulia_maddie Posts: 2,780 Member
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    34 is a perfectly reasonable age to have kids at, and you shouldn't have any age related issues. I am only 24, but I am well aware that I won't have the time to start a family until my mid thirties or so.
  • thatsillyshana
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    My mom had me at 40 and my brother a year and a half earlier. We seem normal enough. I think I was early and I had to stay in the hospital for a while, but I dont think it was serious. I think that as long as you take care of yourself, take those folic acid vitamins early, and keep calm, you'll be just fine!

    The only real issue we had was as we got older, some people would call my mom grandma and my mom didn't really relate to the younger moms at preschool.
  • allisonlane61
    allisonlane61 Posts: 187 Member
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    I had my only child at the age of 38. I worried throughout the pregnancy because she didn't move very much, although her father told me she kicked a lot at night. I didn't have any issues due to age, but I will say it would've been way better had I lost weight before I got pregnant. I went into the pregnancy at 192 pounds so I topped out at a rather heavy weight, which I kept on for a long time.

    Also, now I'm 51 and she's wanting to hang with her friends on weekends until later and later in the evening, when I just don't feel much like leaving the apartment and going to pick her up. Had I not lost the weight, I fear I wouldn't have been able to keep up with her now.