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• 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

• December 17, 2008 4:31 p.m.

  I got married to my husband in May of 2007. In Sept of 2007 I asked my doctor if it was ok to try to start a family. She basically said "Go ahead and try but don't get your hopes up." We got pregnant in two weeks! It gets better...with fraternal twins! The babies were born a month early and spent 10 days in NICU. They are wonderful, healthy 7 month old babies now! I am blessed beyond belief! I think it was easy for me to concieve because I started my menstruel cycle late (mid/late-teens) and becasue I was in great physical shape at the time of conception.

  - Susan

• December 2, 2008 12:40 p.m.

  I have been enjoying the comments. Thank you all for sharing! I am just about to turn 36, and my husband and I have been married for a little over one years. We have been trying to get pregnant for 3 months! I am really freaking out, as there are so many negative comments and preconceived notions regarding being over 35 and pregnant that I feel hopeless at times! I know it is too early to freak out, but I cannot get all that negativity out of my head. So, thank you for your encouragement for us over 30 or 35!!!

  - Ana

• November 12, 2008 8:30 p.m.

  Its so encouraging to read so many positive things. I am 39 y/o and had my son at age 27. I was single and was not able to have a baby. I am now engaged and trying to have another child, I had an ectopic preg. 3 yrs ago. All I can do is wait, but time is going by so fast. I feel like giving up sometimes.

  - Yvelisse

• November 6, 2008 10:26 a.m.

  hi i am in early 30s and trying to conceive but recently i went to remove cryst from my ovary does this make me slow down of getting pregent. And my hubby use to smokes and drinks alcohol at times does this will effect or will there be a problem to be conceive. Thank you and looking for yr comment.

  - shan

• November 4, 2008 7:23 p.m.

  I was 17 when I found out that I had only 1 felopian tube. Between the ages of 21-22 I fell pregnant 3 times only to miscarry 3 times.At 23 I gave birth to a healthy boy & at 24 I had a healthy girl. I was told that I only had half a womb & that I was lucky to have my babies.I'm now 38 and am trying for another child, I didn't let 1 felopian tube than half a womb and 3 miscarriages stop me before so I won't let being 38 stop me now, all anyone can do is be postitive and keep a healthy body & if it is meant to be it will.

  - ruby

• October 27, 2008 7:05 p.m.

  I am 45 and call me a dreamer but I really want to get pregnant again. I have an adorable 4 year old, so my first pregnancy was at 41. I have had two miscarriages (one before and after him). I want to have hope, but my OB/GYN said my "eggs were fried", which I find really negative. Is there any hope?

  - dakotagirl

• October 22, 2008 9:04 p.m.

  I suffered an ectopic pregnancy 3 years ago and I am seeking information regarding the likelihood of natural concenption when one felopian tube has been removed. I've been told by 2 specialists that the remaining tube is very healty and I have very regular cycles but being 38 is a concern for me. I'd like to know how soon I can seek fertility assistance. I'd like to be pregnant within the next year or so. Please help!!

  - anonymous

• October 16, 2008 11:54 p.m.

  One of the few regrets in life I have is not having children. I am in my 40's but still think about it sometimes.

  - Paul

• October 12, 2008 9:20 p.m.

  I am 37 and TTC for the first time in my life. My doctor told me he thought it would take me 2 months to get pregnant. When I asked him why he said because my cycles are regurlar. Within 2 months I was pregnant. We miscarried, waited a cycle, got pregnant again. Hopefully this one sticks. There is so much scary and negative information online about being over 35 and trying to conceive. The Mayo Clinic is my favorite source for information on pregnancy. Lots or relavent information and not so much discouraging stuff. Just remember, that even if your in your 40s you're still likly to conceive and have a HEALTHY baby.

  - Wendy

• September 23, 2008 2:22 p.m.

  I have six wonderful children (same husband) all born after my 30th birthday. Happy, healthy beautiful children. My youngest is now 17 months old. I just suffered a miscarriage at age 43. My heart is broken but am a willing vessel if God chooses to bless us again. Every time I look at one of these amazing creatures I can't imagine doing anything to prevent pregnancy. I have read all the statistics and I know the risks, I also know it's God who is in control. If your doctor laughs or makes fun of you wanting a child at "advanced maternal age" - find another doctor or midwife who respects life and the Creator of Life. Best wishes.

  - sillysally

• September 5, 2008 1:23 a.m.

  im 37 years old and had a miscarriage this past may. my husband and i are now trying again to conceive. we've been trying for 3 months now, and nothing yet. i'm hearing all these things about how i may not be ovulating as often as i was when i was in my 20's and im starting to give up hope. i will be seeing my doctor this month so hopefully i can get some encouragement. it is nice though to hear that women my age and older are having babies. hopefully it will be me soon as well. good luck to you all.

  - kimberly

• August 24, 2008 5:01 a.m.

  I have just suffered my first miscarriage at 36 which I have found very hard and I was beginning to think I had left it too late to have a child, however thanks to your articule and other comments I feel so much better knowing so many other women continue to have healthy babies over 35. This has giving me renewed hope and I will start to try again once my body and mind is ready!.

  - nicky