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• January 27, 2012 12:22 p.m.

  I'm 37 and just now have met the right man that I hope to spend the rest of my life with. I would hopefully like to have a baby one day. It's encouraging to read this article and responses and knowing i'm not alone in this. As for you Dorothy...good for you for getting married and having kids in your 20's. I myself didn't want to settle for just any guy. Clearly you didn't marry well as you are now divorced. Don't know anything about you or your situation but If I had to guess i'd say he probably saw how ugly you are on the inside and how judgmental you are. Normally I would never assume something about someones life or remark on it but when you get someone on here that is so nasty and so hateful it's hard not to. My best friend had her 1st baby at 36 while working a full tim job and going to school and he's a healthy happy baby. She's 37 now and is getting ready to have her 2nd baby. When her kids are 20, she's going to be 57. My mother is 59 and she's a healthy active woman...not walking around on a cane. So take a look in the mirror Miss Dorothy, pat yourself on the back and tell yourself you're wonderful because you're the only one who things so. As for all you other ladies...best of luck to you and may you all have beautiful healthy babies!!!

  - Amy

• January 27, 2012 10:00 a.m.

  I love this article. I am 38 and have an amazing 6 month old and will try for #2 soon. I cannot imagine having babies before this. For one, I didn't meet the man of my dreams until I was 34. If I would have had babies earlier, I would have had them with the wrong guy. Elle is the most amazing baby, wouldn't have done it any differently. We are financially stable and 2 parents very in love with each other and our baby. Dorothy, I am glad you are happy with your situation, it may have worked for you. (?) but this happy marriage and family works for me! Congrats to all of you strong women and your wondeful families at any age.

  - Lisa

• January 20, 2012 6:06 p.m.

  I had my first child at 31 am 37 now and trying for my second. In no way was I suppose to have my child in my 20's. Guess what DOROTHY still married and I was married in my 20's and having fun...not raising babies. Sounds like your selfish and decided to have children in your 20's so you could get them out from under foot and divorce their dad and move on with your life. You will probably make a great Grandmother..doubt it.

  - Ronni

• January 20, 2012 4:38 p.m.

  Dorothy is rude. I had my first at thirty because I didnt get married until I met the right guy. 50% divorce rate we don't need to rush kids! Power to all you moms young and old, I'm 34 now and still thinking about another one. Ami

  - Ami

• January 16, 2012 1:35 p.m.

  Thank you so much for this discussion -I'm turning 39, but I look 10 years younger; but recently I have been getting stressed that I may have left it too late to start thinking about Children. Unfortunately my husband and I have not concidered it before now because of our financial situation being in constant flux - and this does matter Dorothy and it's nothing to do with being selfish, it's the complete opposite and how dare you put down 99% of these amazing women on here who have succeeded in having children over 35. So thank you everyone, I now can think clearer and plan!

  - jo

• January 13, 2012 1:16 a.m.

  If and When..Rejoice:)

  - cherie

• December 30, 2011 4:28 a.m.

  Stop being a selfish mother and have your children in your 20's when your body was design to have you baby. Im 48 and think god I had them in my 20's. Don't look 48 look 38 divorced and believe me I wouldn't want to be stuck with little children, my children are grown up like they suppose to have their own families and Im young enough to see it. think god I didn't start at 40 with my first sad I would be 50 a old women with a 10 year old not fair to the child sorry. Your eggs get old after 20's. Yes a proud mother who wasn't selfish and had her childen in her 20's when her eggs where young. unless you wasn't able to conceive until later other then that its selfish

  - Dorothy

• December 30, 2011 4:20 a.m.

  Had my children in my 20's the eggs were young and your body was design to have them in your 20's. I really think if you have your first in your 30's and 40's I hope people don't have their first in their 60's I don't think it's possible. Stop downing mothers in their 20's who have children that's when your supposed to. If I had my first child at 40 my child will be 10 when Im 50 a grandmothers age selfish. When my children where teenagers they had a youthful moter not some women in a cane. sorry not fair to the children they will be joked in school sad. Please don't give me that finance excuse if your motivated your children are going to be okay if you had them in your 20's or 50's please don't use that excuse just was being selfish

  - Dorothy

• October 4, 2011 3:26 a.m.

  Thank you, Im 26 and dieing to have kids. I cant afford them and was always told 30 is the cut off point. Nice to know theres a good chance Ill still be ok at 35.

  - Kathleen

• September 25, 2011 9:00 p.m.

  Are the risks/timelines for woman who have previously concieved different than for woman who at age 35 have never concieved? I am thinking along the lines that woman having concieved in the past have built up the equivalent of anti bodies (sorry for the poor anaolgy).

  - Don

• September 16, 2011 11:37 p.m.

  Thank you for this information it is very informative.

  - kimberly

• August 26, 2011 4:29 p.m.

  I'm 48,I have two sons 22 and 18 I wanted a girl and really didn't think I would get pregnant. I am now blessed with a beautiful healthy 4 year old girl she is my sunshine. My Doctor called it a high risk pregnancy. My freinds asked if I was sure I wanted to start all over again. Some encouraging words to the doubtful women,anything is possible.

  - cyou

• August 18, 2011 6:30 p.m.

  I am 45 yrs old. I am soooo ready for my first child. Thank you for taking all the scary stories you hear when is it the right time? Thank God, I am physically and mentally healthy. My Dr told me for my annual check keep going with my current lifestyle. My B/P was 110/72. So happy :-) If you seriously want a child. Have one and be the very best. I give all new mom's to be much blessings.

  - Sue

• August 2, 2011 12:21 a.m.

  While I suspect I am younger than your average reader, I am 26, unmarried, and currently enrolled in a PhD program that will take another 4-5 years. All my friends are getting married and having babies all around me and I just worry that I am going to end up waiting too long since I don't want to have kids until I am out of school and have been married and settled down for a while. You've taken a load off of my mind to say the very least!

  - Trish

• July 26, 2011 9:35 a.m.

  Turning 40 and marrying a great guy in August 2011. I also have a Handsome 11 year old son. My husband to be and I want to have 1 more. This article makes me feel much better about my decision. Thank you! ;o)

  - Love being a Mom

• June 1, 2011 6:47 p.m.

  I am 51 and want to stop taking birth control. I do not want to become pregnant. When is it safe. I'm not having symptoms of menopause, but how likely is it that I could become pregnant? Any advice?

  - Janice

• May 10, 2011 2:31 p.m.

  it s so reassuring to see that as im 40 this year that i not totally loseing the plot by wanting another child !!! i hav two boys one is 15 and one is 6 and i long for a little girl ,,, i know it s not guarrantted but i keep thinking in ten years time will i be sorry i did nt try one more time :P , dont get me wrong if i had another boy then obviously it was nt meant to be but if it was a girl i would be over the moon and thanks again x x

  - me x

• March 29, 2011 8:51 p.m.

  I am turning 39 in a few weeks, and have no child yet because of so many things.....I am not sure if there is perfect timing in life to have a child. I am so worried if i will ever be able to have one, and more importantly will the baby be ok?

  - Sevil

• March 26, 2011 5:03 a.m.

  I am 40 this year and only now ready to have a baby and your article is so well written it has given me hope. Thank you.

  - Tracey

• March 23, 2011 Noon

  I feel like a weight has been lifter after reading this. I want another baby and Im scared because Im now 38. Thank you!

  - Jayce

• February 25, 2011 1:00 a.m.

  Thank you. I am 43 and am ready to have my first baby. I did the college-career thing and now I am ready to be a Mom!! I am in excellent health and look forward to this time in my life. I am encouraged by your article! Thank you!!

  - Yvonne

• February 13, 2011 9:14 p.m.

  it was not until my early and late 30s that I was able to deliver 3 beautiful children. At age 32, we had our first son (complete shocker), at 34 our second son was born, and our precious daughter who is now 7 mths was born when I was 36. I have had miscarriages before, but with prayer we were able to conceive and sustain 3 pregnancies without the use of fertility drugs. Let me add that I am by no means judging anyone that uses fertility drugs. Medical intervention is sometimes needed to assist in conception. So regardless of how your family is formed and the age at which you begin, be blessed!

  - No name given

• January 24, 2011 9:04 a.m.

  I was 36 when I became pregnant...while the dr.s did every test to ensure a healthy pregancy....I had the risk results of a 20 year old. I had a good pregnancy and an almost perfect delivery. My daughter will be 3 in February and is the light of my life. If I had to do it over again I would in a heart beat. I will be 40 in May and my daughter is asking for a brother or sister. I have not decided yet but either way she will always have my love.

  - Rain

• November 17, 2010 4:17 p.m.

  Hello to everyone! All of your replies to this article have helped me a lot, I am 26 years old and still in college, no kids, and I am in a serious relationship but we are both not ready to get marry yet or have a baby.. we are both college students waiting to have some financial support to get marry.. now my concern is that I am getting too old already and I fear I might never have the chance to have a baby. Maybe I am thinking negative but time does fly and he wants kids so I dont know what to do

  - Sarah

• October 12, 2010 10:44 p.m.

  Fertility really depends individually on the woman. My mother could not get pregnant as much as she tried in her twenties and early thirties. It was not until her late thirties she began conceiving children. She had 4 children and her last at age 43. Statistics are only numbers. As long as you keep your blood pressure down a woman can concieve healthy babies well into her fourties.

  - Helen