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• April 2, 2008 10:09 a.m.

  I had 3 children within four years , the last when I was 26. In the next 13 years I had several miscarriages. I became pregnant at 39 (with the smae husband) but thought I would again miscarry. I didn't! Another surprise arrived 15 months later-a very healthy baby. I brought my last child home on my 45th birthday. Another very healthy baby. All 6 are thriving, healthy as am I at a ripe old age.

  - Joanne

• April 2, 2008 8:33 a.m.

  Please do your research and keep this in perspective! There are exceptions to most rules. My mother had my brother at 37 and gave birth to me at 45 and that was 47 years ago. Just think of the advances in medicine since then. I also have a friend who had a baby in her early 30s. The baby had genetic concerns and died a few years later. Even so, the mother had two children after 35 and they are healthy and rambunctious. Some women in their 20s are less healthy than some older women. Factor in diet, environment, stress--there are just too many variables to make a blanket statement. Do what works for you, the father and the baby.

  - No name given

• April 2, 2008 8:32 a.m.

  I had both of my children when I was over the age of 40. I had my son at 40 and my daughter 15 months later at age 41. They are both perfect, wonderful kids that keep me young. I think that being an older Mom has many advantages. I think younger and feel younger! They are a true blessing.

  - Susan D

• April 1, 2008 11:25 p.m.

  Thank you so much for the information you have started in this blog. I would be interested to hear your comments on the use of Prometrium to boost the sometimes low progesterone levels in the older expectant mom. Also, in the future, could you talk about how to avoid hypoglycemic-like episodes in early pregnancy in a non-diabetic. Our 37-year-old daughter is trying to control her weight, but gets terribly hungry during the day with a job that she cannot leave at will. Today, she had a terrible, almost fainting, episode.

  - Paula-AR

• April 1, 2008 8:29 p.m.

  I had a daughter with Down syndrome 8 years ago (I was 36) and she has been the greatest addition to our family. She spreads sunshine everywhere she goes. She reads, writes , signs (is more verbal now but signs along with speaking)tells time, can identify money and so much more. She has taught us so much more than we teach her.......truly a gift from God.... Many parents and family members will tell you of the joy a Down's child is. Our daughter has gotten more positive attention from complete strangers than all my other (5) children combined. Please don't let Down's be a negative factor.....we could all learn something from their positive nature!

  - connie

• April 1, 2008 8:34 a.m.

  Another thing to keep in mind is the experience a child will have with an older mother. My mom was in her late 40s when I was born, and it was extremely difficult growing up with someone who was so much older than the parents of my friends. She couldn't relate to me at all and we were never close, not even now that I'm an adult. Of course there are always generational differences between mother and child, but those differences are even more difficult to manage with an older mother.

  - Kaylene H.

• March 31, 2008 11:25 a.m.

  I will be 39 in June and I am 5 (gestational)weeks with my first. I feel great although I am apprehensive about my age and complications that could arise because of it. Life was just not at the right place to have a baby at age 29 and most definately not at 19. Not only do you have to think about the pregnancy but the remaining 18 years that your child is in your direct care and your ability to provide your child with the proper skills to live life and begin his or her own family. Your responsibility doesn't stop with birth.

  - Paula - NNY

• March 30, 2008 7:47 p.m.

  there was this old lady. it was on cnn. that an 80 or older lady had a child. i think thats just too far. i mean how are you going to raise and support the child when you are no longer living.

  - HB

• March 30, 2008 7:29 p.m.

  Wow,seems like lots of misinformation. I had a perfectly healthy pregnancy and birth of my baby girl at age 40. One of my friends just had a little boy last week at age 37 and another friend at age 41. My mother in law had my husbands sister at age 42. and that was 42 years ago. Good Luck to everyone enjoy your pregnancies and babies1

  - Catherine

• March 28, 2008 9:01 p.m.

  Just a little encouragement; I gave birth to a healthy baby when I was 21, and another at 41 (natural conception after just a few months of trying). The pregnancy at 41 was definitely harder on my body. I had to go to bed for the last two months due to early contractions, but it was all worth it. I found that sleep deprivation from caring for an infant did not affect me as much this time around, and I am more patient with this child. I'm also more confident, as I know my older son turned out well! When I was pregnant with my youngest, I worried about Downs, etc. but refused amnio so as not to risk miscarriage. One day when I was 5 mos. along, I saw a little girl at the store with Downs who was about 6 or 7 years old, and she smiled like an angel when I spoke to her. She made me realize that I was prepared for whoever my child would be, and I stopped worrying so much. As it turns out, my youngest has an IQ of 153, is relatively healthy, and lots of fun to be around. My boys are 20 years apart, and love and enjoy each other very much. So I say if you do have a later pregnancy, relax and enjoy as much as you can.

  - Kim

• March 28, 2008 5:48 p.m.

  I am 39 yrs old and I was told by a MD on 3/6/08 I was 6 wks pregnant. On3/20/08 I was told I was 6 wks pregnant by another MD.On 3/28/08 I was told by another MD I was 6 wks pregnant but the fetus did not have a heart beat. I should have been 9 weeks and 4 days pregnant as of 2/28/08. None of the MDs did there homework from the previous MD; or listen to the patient,when I explainte that the previous MD stated I was 6 wks. Now I'm carrieng a deceased fetuse. If things would have been taken care of like they should have been; the death of the fetuse would have saved me the aganoy of morning. AT this point,the MD's do not know what casused the death of the fetus. Down Syndrome and a miscarriages were my biggest concerns. I say all of that to say, age do play a big part of one's pregnacy.

  - Marie

• March 28, 2008 3:09 p.m.

  I did not give you all any references for the statistics I quoted in this last blog. I would like to give you the titles of the studies. The perinatal effects of delayed childbearing, Obstetrics and gynecology(105)2005 and Advanced maternal age and adverse perinatal outcome. Obstetrics and gynecology (104)2004 I also wanted to thank Les for the contribution. According to UpToDate® spermatogenesis continues even in elderly men. Since the adult male's germ cells have passed through more mitotic replications than the adult female's germ cells, there is a greater opportunity for error.

  - Mary Murry mayo.com

• March 28, 2008 2:57 p.m.

  I wanted to let anonymous know that I spoke with 2 perinatologist regarding your question and both felt that having successful pregnancies prior to a pregnancy over the age of 35 would have a positive effect. I am looking for research regarding this so I can speak with more confidence.

  - Mary Murry mayo.com

• March 28, 2008 11:43 a.m.

  I had my first baby at age 39 after trying for almost 2 years. If you're trying to get pregnant, time goes by fast so never feel apprehensive about continuing your efforts to get pregnant. It may feel that time is not on your side - it doesn't diminish your desire to have a child. I have a wonderful 9 month old who is such a joy - good luck!

  - Kathleen

• March 27, 2008 11:45 p.m.

  Thank you for sharing this information. I'm 37 and planning to try soon. I've read a lot of the statistics about chromosomal problems and I was really concerned. It puts my mind at ease to hear that it actually translates to a very low chance of a problem. It's tough as a woman- you don't always have control over when the things in your life fall into place. Thanks again!

  - ELS

• March 27, 2008 10:56 p.m.

  You are wrong about sperm being new all the time. Sperm come from progenitor cells and collect mutations which cause miscarriages, autism, schizophrenia, etc. etc. The sperm go through divisions every 16 days, mistakes are made and genetic defects that are not in the father but in his sperm are passed to offspring. The older the father the higher the risk. Ovum are much less prone to mutation. This blog contains some research paper on the subject of the male biological clock: http://themalebiologicalclock.blogspot.com/

  - Les

• March 27, 2008 4:48 p.m.

  I'm on my first and will deliver around my 32nd birthday. I am 25 weeks gestation and have never felt better in my LIFE! The reason this article caught my eye is because I would like to possibly have another, but don't see myself having a 2nd right away. Thanks for putting things in perspective!

  - Hannah

• March 27, 2008 1:58 p.m.

  I'm terrified at the idea of having a baby at 35+. I'm 25 now and currently pregnant and it's pretty hard on my body. I can only imagine what its like when your older. I had my first child at 21 (not so bad) and at 25 this pregnancy is taking a lot more out of me. After 32 I'm calling it quits. I think about all the things that could go wrong and how my body would take it if I was in my mid to late 30's. I also want to be as young as possible for my kids. I don't want my 10 year (for example) to have a 50 year old mother. I want to do it while I'm young. A lot of women are waiting later to have babies and to each there own (god bless you). I think both sides have there ups and down, financially and emotinoally.

  - Jennie

• March 27, 2008 11:52 a.m.

  Does it make a difference if you've already had two healthy babies and you're trying for a third at age 36?

  - Anonymous