mature mums

[averley]

i recently remarried (2004)and have grown up children (21 19) My hubby has no children at 38 and i am 42 . Is there anyone out there who had a second family later in life . We have looked at al the pros and cons but i wonder if anyone has experiences they can share especially health wise Thanks

[Hgrove]

One of the school mums at my daughter's school is in a similar position: she has two sons aged around 21-22 and then a boy now 7 and a girl now 4, with a new partner. She is mid-40s, he is early 40s. They seem happy and she once said that it was something that was just right for her to do, almost like she had not got having kids out of her system until she had the younger two.

[Bohne]

I don't think at 42 you don't have to worry about health problems too much. Even though it's not the second family, I know quite a few women who have had healthy babies in their early to mid fourties.

In Germany from the age of 35 any pregnancy is considered a 'higher-risk' pregnancy, but that just means, you get check-ups more regularly, and some additional tests.

It think it will be the right thing to do if it feels right to you! Good luck with anything you decide!

[tradey]

hi averley,well i was 37 and found out at 25wks i was having a baby,our two other kids were older,19 and 15 at the time,at the time i could have run away,i was thinking im too old for this look at the age gap,whats the kids going to say,well all i can say is they love her to bits shes 2 now and we wouldnt change anything,she was brought to us for a reason, for one i didnt know i was ill at the time,until i had a scan if it wasnt for her i may not be here now,if you both really want another child why not whats the problem,the hospital will just keep there eye on you coz of your age.good luck xx

[angie19]

hiya.please follow your heart.i was a single mum with children of 15.13 and 4..i swore i wouldnt have any more children,i was only 31 then.then i met and married my husband,who hadnt children of his own,id done my bit if you will,i didnt want to start again,but always said to myself,am i robbing my husband of being a 'father' even though he loves my children as his own,4 years on we decided yes,we do want another baby.i now have a 5 month old healthy baby boy,i am 36.my eldest is 20,18 and 9.i was so scared of the check ups at the hospital,because of my age mainly,all the tests i was offered,for downs,spin bifida etc.i said look,it was our decision,if this baby is ill in any way,or not properly devoloped.so what!! we will love it no matter what.we took a big chance.and thank goodness we had a perfect baby boy.i didnt suffer any high blood pressure,varicose veins,any complication whatsoever,i was lucky.the risks do get higher with age,but for me it was the best thing ive ever done,it was worth it.i wish you all the luck in the world,stick together,follow your heart.chances are it will be fine!!!!!

[MammyD]

I had my second marriage at 41 and my second baby at 42 (almost 43). It was an easier labour than with my eldest son 6 years prior! And looking after him makes me feel young!