More Older Women are Getting Pregnant — Younger Women, Not So Much
It’s been a growing trend for a while now and a new report from the National Center for Health Statistics shows that younger women are still delaying pregnancy, while higher numbers of older women are getting pregnant. The pregnancy rate for women in their early 20s decreased by 18 percent from 1990 to 2008, while the rate for women ages 40 to 44 went up about 65 percent during that time period (that’s a big jump!). The rate also grew for women in their 30s. There were 78.5 births per 1,000 women ages 35-39 in 2008, compared to the 67.5 per 1,000 women in 2000. For women 30-34 years old, there were 131.1 births per 1,000 women in 2000, but in 2008, there were 141.2 births per 1,000 women.
What do you think of these statistics? How old were you when you got pregnant?
Plus, more from The Bump:
Getting Pregnant in Your Late ’30s
Top 5 Wrong Reasons to Have a Baby
The Knot Blog
The Nest Blog
I am 46 and pregnant all natural with #2. I had my first at 44. So yes I would say older is better!
You inspire me, Gina! I just had my first this year at 42. I’m 43 now and contemplating another, but have been scared out of my wits with the negative talk of how bad my odds are to have a baby with a genetic problem, my odds of miscarrying at my age, etc. I was given a less than 1% chance of conceiving with my own egg with my first pregnancy… Knowing it DOES happen with good outcomes rather than only the negative talk, I’m leaning toward one more try when baby gets to be about 6 months. Thanks for the positivity!
I was pregnant at 20 and 40.5 years young! I can tell you at 40 I was much more prepared, mentally, physically and financially.
I totally agree with you Lisa. I am the same my daughter will be 20 in July and I am due with my son in 2 days. I am so much more focused now then I was at 20!
I was 28, 32, 35, and 38. Definitely enjoyed my pregnancies more and handled them better as I got older.
I was pregnant at 26 and at 36. I preferred being pregnant at 36, other than the fact that the medical community kept telling me about all these complications I was going to have because I was over 35 years old. It didn’t matter that I was in better shape physically than I was 10 years ago. (For the record, I had absolutely NO complications, unlike my younger friends) I think the medical community needs to do some reevaluating…..of themselves
I am pregnant with my first at 31.
I am 25 and pregnant with my second. I am definitely glad I’m having my children younger.
I’m 20 and pregnant with no. 2, had my first little boy at 18, and though it wasnt ideal financially, ifeel i am at the perfect age to run around after him, and will still be young enough to be his friend when he is older. Having children while my body is in its prime means it will be easier to get back to my pre-baby body, and having children while i am young, means i can concentrate on a career and getting a mortgage in my mid-late twenties
I’m 24, my husband is 31. We are both really excited for this pregnancy and can’t wait to be parents. Age is just a number. For me it was more about did I do many of the things I wanted to do before I had a baby? For me by 24 it was yes; I lived in Paris and Nepal, graduated from college, partied partied partied and my career is growing slowly but surely. I want to be YOUNG when my kids are out of the house and grown. My mother just turned 50 and I have an older sister. Her and my dad are enjoying traveling and being child free again while they are still young and healthy and vibrant. I can’t imagine being nearly 60 with kids just starting college. I’m glad my parents are going to be younger when they become grandparents so that they can be around for a long long time!
I had my first at 36 – and I had a awesome, uncomplicated pregnancy. I am trying for #2 now at 39.
I was 34 with my first, and am now 41 and pregnant with my 2nd. I’m so glad I waited to have children. I’ve finished my master’s degree, we own our house and are so much better off financially than we were in our 20s. It makes our marriage so much better to not have to be stressed about finances and college and starting careers…and that makes us better parents!
Pregnant at 35 was definately no joy ride for me. I was much more in shape with my first at 27. I would say 25 to 30 would be the best years to have kids.
I got married at 40. First boy at 41 and second boy at 44. Both natural pregnancies, both beautiful and healthy.
I must say it does depend on your outlook. It is important to eat healthy and stay active before, during and after pregnancy, no matter what your age! No one needs to judge others for being too old or young, it doesn’t matter, as long as you love them!
I just had my first baby daughter at age 40 and I have to say that my pregnancy went very smoothly- with vaginal delivery- and also I am in much better shape than when I was in my twenties! Plus I enjoy being a mom without recriminating about the sacrificies, lack of sleep etc..
I’ll be 43 in October & I’m just now trying for my first pregnancy. I’m inspired by everyone’s comments from the over 40 set, it’s nice to see there are others out there that waited till later to have children. Truth be told, I was terrified of the whole idea of kids in my 20′s while trying to manage school & figure out who I was, in my 30′s I was just starting a career & started a serious relationship (w/ the man I eventually married) & we didn’t feel we were prepared financially at that time. Thank you to everyone for sharing your stories & reiterating what I already knew was right for me & my husband.
To be honest , i am more happy that i had my first at 24.5 , as later , so i can still have a chance to have a good career , and life , i did not care about party , so was ok , besides , next time , i will be more ready .
Wow, I am blown away by the inspiring stories in these comments. I just turned 32 and my biological clock has kicked into overdrive. Even though I would love to have a child with my fiance, I want to finish college and be a little more settled financially first. But the stories of how unhealthy it is to be pregnant later in life have scared me into thinking I need to get pregnant now. It’s reassuring to know that I still have time.
So great to read all of these comments. My mom was a mom at 17 and did a fabulous job. I had my first at 38 and am expecting my second at 42. I feel great and I love being a mom. Love and patience are reall key, whatever your age!
My instincts tell me to go for number 3 – I am 38 and worry about my age when number 3 would be 25…..but i feel so young now so I would imagine I will feel the same in 25 years!
Patty Gatter, Owner
http://www.HarperGraceBaby.com
http://www.HarperGraceMaternity.com
I became pregnant a bit short of two months after our wedding. It happened on our honeymoon! We weren’t planning on trying until this fall, but we can’t be happier that our baby girl will be here in three months!
I was 29. I think it’s a little scary how things have changed. Yes, we are more financially stable etc, but humans are still made to have babies at a younger age. I wish I was younger but things didn’t exactly work that way.
I’m 25 and pregnant with my first child! I definitely notice women my age are waiting to get married and have children. I am married, a homeowner, deployed overseas, graduated college, and have a good career where most women my age are just getting out of the partying phase (although some never seem to grow out of that!). I feel as though I could have waited longer to enjoy my marriage as a couple, however, I am very excited to be welcoming a new member to our family and look forward to seeing us grow as a parents. I believe everything happens for a reason : )
I’m 29 weeks pregnant and a matter of days away from 41. I feel strong and healthy and ready now in a way I wasn’t even in my 30′s. If it weren’t for the establishment saying I’m old and therefore high risk I wouldn’t be. I say if my body was willing to get pregnant than I’m obviously not too old. I teach lots of teen moms and while I don’t think they are ready emotionally or financially, I do know they love their kids as much as I do and are just as committed to being the beat moms that they can be. We need not judge either end of the spectrum, having a baby deserves more respect from our society. Paid maternity leave for one thing should be a given.