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• February 9, 2010 8:43 a.m.

  Thank you so much for this. I am 33, married, but not in any position to have a child financially. The risk for having a child with autism when conceiving later in life is all over the news today. I would love to have a baby, but after working with adults with disabilities and the amazing families that care for them... I am terrified to have a child of my own now. Do you have any advice about these most recent findings?

  - tiffany

• January 25, 2010 12:47 p.m.

  I'm 38 years old and have five daughters. Yes, you read that right, FIVE DAUGHTERS. (Ages 18 - 2) We thought we were finished, but as my youngest reaches that 3rd birthday, I'm starting to hear that little voice saying that it's time again. Everybody already thinks we're insane, but I strongly feel that if you are healthy and you want a baby, you shouldn't care what other people think!! I don't think anybody should base their decision to have a child on what the rest of the world thinks. Each of my five daughters has brought joy beyond words!! Our oldest daughter has autism and many would think that in itself would warrent us NOT having more children, but for those people, I would try to explain to them just how much she has taught everyone around her. She is TRULY a blessing! Having a child with a disability is NOT the end of the world. It's just as much a blessing as having a "typical" child. So, I would urge others not to let those statistics be the deciding factor either. I am concerned about having another child at age 38 for health reasons, and that's what brought me to this site, but after discussing this with my doctor and doing a little research, I think we may try again. And I would LOVE to have another girl!!

  - Snalker

• January 21, 2010 11:30 p.m.

  I would like to know how many of you mothers over the age of 35 used fertility drugs. I am thirty four and have no kids, have never been married, and am not dating anyone. I cannot afford to freeze my eggs. Afriend told me that she would never have a baby after thirty five because of the risks. I trust her opinion since she is a married stay at home mom with an ideal family, (husband and two kids in a middle class neighborhood). I never expected my life to turn out this way and it is getting hard for me to keep tolerating people with families. I don't want to become a single parent like my mother was, I wanted a real family and I know this is going to cause a life crisis.

  - Bridget

• January 19, 2010 12:57 p.m.

  Thank you so much i am 32 and for years every one around me says i am to old to have kids.So its good to know there is a chance for me and my husband.

  - christina

• November 9, 2009 9:51 p.m.

  Thank you all so much! I'm turning 30 next month and was really starting to freak out about time running out. I've always wanted a family. My boyfriend and I have been dating about 8 months and he's younger and not in any hurry while I've been trying not to panic - I guess the number scared me more than I thought. Thank you all for sharing your stories and information. I'm going to do my best to relax and just see where things go. Hugs!

  - Katie

• November 8, 2009 8:00 p.m.

  I have not seen much on this issue, but if you are in your late 30's early 40's and still have regular monthly periods 28 days apart or so, are you still considered to be as fertile as when you were younger? Does this correlate to not having problems conceiving? If you know about this, I would love to hear from you.

  - Elizabeth

• November 8, 2009 7:57 p.m.

  Hi, I am just a few months away from my 40th birthday and the mother of 2 girls ages 11 and 6. My husband and I are planning on another child. I am having my IUD removed later this month. In the past I have been very fertile. I am so excited but yet nervous when I read of women having problems. You know my biggest fear...what others will think of me being so old having a baby. Not to mention both my mother in law and my own mom will be outraged. Amazing to think I am nearly 40 but still care what people think. I just pray for no miscarriages. My two prior pregnancies were very healthy and without any problems.

  - Elizabeth

• October 25, 2009 11:12 a.m.

  I’m 35. and I had my life planned with my 3 kids. But, life had other plans for me so now I’m pregnant. My pregnancy is going really well. And I’m not going to get an abortion just because some people think I’m old. Many celebrities have their babies even in their 40’s and nobody says anything about it. And they are just like everyone else, only famous!!!

  - Ivonne

• October 7, 2009 12:43 p.m.

  WOW!!! I am 39 and think I might be pregnant, I am 7 days late usually pretty much on schedule, I feel tenderness where I should not, a feel hungry all the time, and tired seems to soon but feels like the first time I was pregnant back in 1997, yes I have a 12 year old. I have been married for 4 years and I was trying to get pregnant 2 years ago since it did not happen I gave up on it... Right now I am terrified. I guess I had accepted the fact that I would not have another baby. Reading these comments has made me feel a lot better. I will wait until I am 10 days late before I take a test.

  - cyn

• September 25, 2009 5:04 p.m.

  Well,that didn't quite answer my question. but,you did tell me the stuff i needed to know! so,thanks.

  - Mrs.Goregous

• June 17, 2009 5:07 p.m.

  I was 32 when I had my first child...he is now 10 years old and not just "normal" but incredible! I also have multiple sclerosis and was told not to have any more children. I had my second son at age 39. My OBGYN advised me that the fetus could have all kinds od devestating disorders and syndromes...I was scared to death. Well, I fired her and found a very compassionate high risk OBGYN. I am sitting her at age 42 watching my blonde haired beautiful little 3 year old boy play with his cars and trucks. He also is not only normal but extraordinary! My husband and I want 1 more child. Doctors tell me I should not even consider it and have a tubal ligation. Both because I have MS and my age. I am in excellent shape, exercise daily, eat very well and feel great. Yes, I have had Ms for 18 years but my disease is mild and not progressive. We have just begun to try to get pregnant. We have gotten pregnant very easily in the past and hope we will again. We did briefly talk about an egg donor or a surrogate but my husband is adamont that they are my old eggs! Thank you for a positive place to blog. Some of us went to college, had years of graduate school and career, married late or are in second marriages and still want children...I love being an older, wiser, more patient mom!

  - Georgia Grace

• April 19, 2009 4:17 p.m.

  Ok... Now that I have read the comments; let me give you my true miracle pregnancy experience. At age 29, had my tubes tied; at age 44 in a half had them untired, at age 45 had my daughter; and she is now 14 months old, healthy and happy... Now, at age 46, I'm working on getting pregnant again... I love being an older mother! ~ My oldest daughter is 27 and my youngest, just 14 months... Of course, the doctors all told me it would be impossible and I was wasting my money on the surgery but ... as I told them, faith is better on my side than mans medical opinion... Doctors tried to scare me with the Downs risks and maternal age factors -- but, again, I just based my risks on my previous pregnancies and kept healthy -- and had a healthy baby from it all... Good luck to all of you who are trying to conceive!

  - Cathlin

• April 3, 2009 5:08 a.m.

  WOW! Thank you for this POSITIVE article. I'm 38 years old thinking about having my first child. I was terrified by the negative statistics (1 out of 365) until I read your percentage of having a "normal" baby (99.34%). I'm blown away because I have never seen it put that way. I actually feel *relieved* for the first time. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!

  - Lori

• March 14, 2009 3:51 a.m.

  Thank you so much for putting such a positive spin on being an older mum. I am 39 year old teacher and trying to get pregnant for the first time.

  - Hayley

• March 13, 2009 9:58 p.m.

  I am 33 years old and still not ready to be a mother but am starting to feel this slow, creeping panic that I may be running out of time. Reading this article and the comments inspired me to relax, that I am right in waiting and that I am correct when I say to people who pressure me about kids "Hey, I'll still have eggs when I'm 40!" :) Thanks for your stories.

  - Mel

• March 4, 2009 9:21 p.m.

  I 44 years old and trying to have another baby, I am not as lucky this time as I was my first time. I had my first baby (my only one) at the ripe old age of 42. I married late and with God's help I was pregnant 3 weeks after we were married (concieved naturally, good honeymoon :), yes I know very lucky. This time around I have had a couple of inseminations with no luck. We are going to try invitro, I hope. I have so much love to offer another child. Good luck to all those who want to have a baby after 40 it is possible. Take care.

  - Nina

• March 2, 2009 7:57 p.m.

  Hi , I had a stillbirth at 21 weeks trought a C-section last October and I just turned 39 . We are still trying and hoping that we will be able to have another child soon - we have a 9 1/2 year old boy . We do not want to wait too much but having a c-section some doctors say wait 6 mo some say 1 year . Being 39 does not help the matters but I do not want to make the wrong decision .

  - Tatyana

• February 6, 2009 6:20 p.m.

  after listening to some people speak of woman over 40 being "too old" to have a baby, it was very upsetting since i am 39 & w/out a potential daddy. this article & the comments inspires me to have some hope :) thank you

  - jan

• January 30, 2009 6:29 p.m.

  I am 43 and think I might be pregnant. My husband (36) and I did not plan for a baby but I am beginning to think God had a different plan. I am not in the best of health but I am ready to go through this if it is God's will. I have a 23 year old daughter from a previous marriage and two grandsons ages 4 and 1. I am less than one week late for my cycle which 99% of the time is right on schedule. I have enjoyed reading all the positive comments from the older moms. Thank you. p.s. Can anyone tell me how accurate home pregnancy tests are, and how soon after missing a period can you use them?

  - Tina

• January 24, 2009 3:20 p.m.

  I'm 28 and my husband and I are discussing having a child but most likely I will wait until Im 30. I really appreciate all of the great comments from the older moms out there. My friends and family all put a lot of pressure on me to have kids now even though Im not ready. My mom had me young and we have never been close, but my grandmother who was 53 when I was born have always been really close. So I personally think that older adults make better parents because they are more settled and know what they want out of life. Thank you all for the encouragement. It's going to happen when God wants to happen anyway.

  - Andie

• January 14, 2009 11:47 a.m.

  I am 43 and pregnant w/my 2nd child. My after 2 unsuccessful rounds of IVF using my own eggs, we resorted to using an ovum donor and were successful with our 1st try. We "defrosted" embryos to achieve this pregnancy. I feel like I am at the best place emotionally and financially in my life to be starting my family. I may be a bit more fatigued during this pregnancy than a 20-something having her 2nd baby, but that is of little concern. I figure that these kids will help keep me and my husband (who is in his 50's) very young for a very long time!

  - bonnie

• January 10, 2009 1:46 a.m.

  Iwas 39 had a MC fell pregnant again at 40 had another MC and again after that.I am going to be 42 this year not giving up.i have 3 children oldest 18 then 2 boys 8,9

  - sharlene

• January 5, 2009 11:59 a.m.

  I'm 37 and unexpectedly pregnant. I have a 4 year old. Thank you for the encouraging article!

  - lacy

• December 29, 2008 2:48 a.m.

  I have had three pregnancies: one at 24 when I was still single, in school, and not in love, one at 35 after I met my husband, and one at 41 (still with my husband). Each occurred at very different stages of life, but I can honestly say that I was not ready to have a baby, any baby, until I was 35, at least. Honestly, at 41, I finally feel ready to have a baby for the first time. So much needs to be in place--a loving marriage, financial resources, emotional maturity, professional satbility, etc. My grandmother and sister both had babies into their mid-40s without fertility treatments, and my husband and I are hoping to do the same. At the same time, I think it is important to educate women and men about the risks (decreased fertility, miscarriage, etc.) of waiting to have children too long, and there needs to be more support of families generally from U.S. society, regardless of age. At a recent ultrasound, the technician made a comment about our ages and when I looked at her shocked, she said "I am not saying you are the oldest patients we have ever treated, but...." It was so insulting to be lying there carrying a child that we conceived naturally without any fertility treatments and to be treated like we had no right to be there because we happened to be old enough to be responsible adults but still young enough to be making babies! Sometimes it feels like we are in "Logan's Run."

  - Wendi

• December 28, 2008 8:21 p.m.

  So is anyone who is over 50 considering pregnancy? Still having regular periods and in physical better shape than when I had my son in my early 40's. So is it physically possible? (especially with a younger man as Les points out.)

  - g