how old is to old? - when to stop having kids?

boyohboyohboy wrote: I was wondering what the general thought is to when it is to "old" to safely have kids?
I am 33 now, with two sons, and want to have more, but I am concerned about the risks after the age of 35. I know alot more women are having babies into their 40's but is that pushing fate?
what do you think?

My3LilMonkeys replied: I think as long as you and your doctor are both okay with it, go for it!

amymom replied: I do not have a good answer to this. I turned 33 the month after my ds was born and 39 the month after dd was born. If I had planned it, they both would have come before I was 35 but that didn't happen. I think there are risks at any age. What risks are you particularily worried about?

The truth is, the hardest thing I find is my being so much older than my dd's friends parents. (Gosh some of their grandparents are younger than me!! )

gr33n3y3z replied:
thats what I was going to say

luvbug00 replied: idealy with money not being an issue I'd have kids every 5 years until i dried up like a prune. but seriously as long as your Doc says it's ok I see nothing wrong with having children .

EvesMom replied: If you are in generally good health, and your doctor oks it, go for it.There are risks associated with (advanced maternal age) to keep in mind.
Women approaching or beyond the age of 35 have a greater chance than younger women of having a baby with a chromosome abnormality. Some of the most common abnomalities are Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21), Trisomy 13, Trisomy 18 and Klinefelter Syndrome.
Also, your chances of having a multiple pregnacy increase, hypertension,gestational diabetes, placental abruption, and even some diastrous events like stroke.
I don't want to hinder your descision any, but knowing the risks can be helpful. Good luck to you! KUP

Brias3 replied: I don't have a great answer either. Personally, just because of all the health concerns associated with pregnancy late in life, I wanted to be done with kids by 35. Yet my mom had her last baby (my youngest brother) at 39- she turned 40 two days after he was born. So it all depends. I remember her being really leery of being "too old" by the time he entered school and what not but she was happy to find that even nearly a decade ago, the trend of having kids later in life was really very evident.

Total personal decision on you and your husband's part, if you are healthy and get the go ahead from a doctor. Good luck whatever you decide on!

JP&KJMOM replied: ITA with everyone. It is between you, your dh and your doctor.

MyLuvBugs replied: I have majorly mixed feelings about it. I personally don't want to have kids after the age of 35, but my parents had me later in life (Mom - 32 and Dad - 42) so...

I guess one of my fears is that I'll have a child with severe problems and won't be able to take care of that child as it grows up. My sister had my youngest niece at the age of 40, and she as Down's. So, that scares me a little. But I think my biggest thing is I grew up with older parents without siblings around my age, and my parents were so far apart from my generation I guess that we just didn't click a lot of the time. They didn't always have the energy or interest to do the things that a little kid was into. KWIM? It's just something to think about I guess....

But if you're healthy, and if you know that you will be ready to handle a yound child after 35 or 40....then go for it.

BAC'sMom replied:

I had my last at 35.

kimberley replied: i know many women who didn't start til they were 35. i say you and your doc will know what your physical limit is. i am 33 and already getting too tired to have more but that is just me.

Nina J replied: I think if your healty, and your doctor agrees, then it's fine. I'm no spring chicken, but my doctor said I'm extremly healthy before I got pregnant this time, and that it's an ideal time for me to have babies.

ashtonsmama replied:

I know a woman, one of my sister's friends, who just had her first babies at 42 (twins, were conceived by IVF but still)...so it can be done! Make sure it's ok for your health though, and keep your doctor updated and talk to them about it.

holley79 replied:
ITA

MamaJAM replied: I think the age is different for everyone. The only person outside of the couple that should be part of this choice is the woman's doctor.

mom21kid2dogs replied: If you "think" and "feel" too old to have children you likely are.