T.M. asks from Trumbull, CT on April 22, 2009
Okay to Try for 2Nd Child at 41 Years Old . . .?
Hello,
I'm a 41 year old mom. My daughter will be 5 in August. My husband and I have been trying on and off for about a year now for a second child . . . but my husband has suddenly started panicking that we're too old. He started thinking ahead about how old we would be in 20 years when the second child would be in college. I asked the physican's assistant at my last annual exam what she thought and she said that if we really wanted to try for another baby . . . that we should go for it. She said that she actually had patients that were in their early 40s having babies.
Are there any moms out there who are either in their 40s that have young children or that are thinking about having another child . . . I would really love to hear from you. Maybe it'll help reassure my husband that we're not the only ones trying at our age.
So What Happened?™
Thank you so much for all your responses. All of them were positive ones . . . telling me to go for it. I'll have to sit down with my husband and really talk about it. I'll even show him the responses that I received from all of you, and maybe it'll make him feel a little less scared.
Thanks again.
T. M.
More Answers
D.D. answers from New York on April 23, 2009
When my oldest daughter started kindergarden I remember walking into the room at age 29 and being the youngest mom there. All the other moms were 35-47. I think there are plenty of other issues that matter much more than your age. You can have a child at 25 and get hit my a bus. You can't know what the future holds.
I'd say to look at your family history to see what age everyone seems to live to. Were they healthy? If so them go for it. You definately won't be the oldest parent at graduation.
M.R. answers from Utica on April 23, 2009
I think that having kids at 41 is not old, me and my wife had our little girl at, lets say I was 46 and she was 37, we always wanted a girl, the first two were boys, 17 and 12, but due to eh fact that we both were Military kept us on different schedule, go ahead andhave fun, tell your hubby to relax, and look at it this way he will always have a little one to play with, which might make him feel young sometimes.
S.M. answers from New York on April 24, 2009
I had my first child two weeks before my 40th birthday. She is now 2 years old and I am expecting a boy in a month. I have to say that I probably do not have as much energy as maybe a younger mom might, but my daughter is very active and I work full time as a teacher so I am on my feet all day. We did not try for the second, it was actually a suprise and I have had more anxiety over this pregnancy than my partner, but I think that is because they keep telling you about "high risk" not to mention all of the tests and things you need to do at this age, but if you are up for it and in good health then go for it. It sounds like your doctor's office is supportive. My ob/gyn tells me he has many patients my age who are having children. I know how your husband feels about age when they are in college because I think about that too. Not to mention the fact that most friends my age are well beyond the finding a sitter years, but if you want to do it then go for it. My only "serious" complication with either pregnancy has been exhaustion :)
T.B. answers from Syracuse on April 23, 2009
Hi T.!
Good for you! I had my first (and only) child at 42 and it was the best thing I'd ever done. I had always wanted a child but when I was still single in my late 30s I had just about given up. I met my husband (who is 8 years younger than me) and realized that I could still have a child.
I was worried that I would be the oldest mom but to my surprise there are lots of women in their 40s with small children. It also makes me proud that I can "handle" the pressure of parenthood as an older mom. In fact, I think having a young child (my daughter is now 4) keeps me young! Some of my same age friends who have older children seem so old to me (one even just became a grandma). Don't worry about what anyone else is doing or not doing. If its right for your family, that's what is important.
K.M. answers from Syracuse on April 23, 2009
My sister is 46 and just had her 4th child. Both of younger ones were born after she was 41. Obviously there are a lot of reasons to not have a child at this age, but if you are healthy there is no reason to not. You daughter deserves a sibling, especially having older parents. She'll want someone around when you can no longer be there for her. Please don't think I'm calling you old though. I am about to be 38. You're not old at all. :) Good luck having another baby!!
Email