I was 36 when our youngest was born. My husband was 44. That pregnancy and ten years after took a huge toll on my body. It may not have been the pregnancy, but it sure was something. I had no energy and felt terrible most of the time. Fortunately our son is not high energy and is content just "hanging out." Our son is the only child at home. He comes with us when we want to do something and that works out good. Because he is the only child at home and he joins us for most outings, my husband and I do most things that we want to do. Several of our son's friends have asked him if we are his grandparents. That sure does make me feel old.
I haven't read the other replies, but I thought I'd answer anyhow. I was 31 when my baby (#4) was born (in December). I ABSOLUTELY noticed a difference. #3 was born when I was 27. Now, I don't know how much of that was due to me being a little more out of shape than I was in my 20s, but I doubt it was very much because I wasn't that much worse. I was more tired, more cranky, swelled more often, and had more health issues than I did with the other three. That having been said... it was not unbearable. It was not horrible. It was not not worth it. And it gave me a chance to depend on the Lord a little more than usual... which is always a good thing.
I am almost 33 and my youngest is 3 1/2. As soon as hubby finds a permanent job we're going to try for #3. I always said I wouldn't have any more babies after I turned 30 cause my mom was like 36 when she had me and my dad was 40 I think. And they never played with me outside, there were so many things they couldn't do. But, my mom has had severe back problems since I was 4. So I'm sure it wasn't all her age (though I didn't see that when I was young) I was embarrassed in elementary school cause every time my parents came to school everyone thought they were my grandparents cause they had gray hair LOL But I just don't feel our family is complete yet, ya know? So I've decided we'll try for #3 and I'll just dye my hair once it starts turning gray! LOL
I was 40 when I had my last child. I am 52 now, DH is 44, the kiddos are 28, 26, 24 and 11. The last wasn't planned, he's from my second marriage. DH was told by 2 doctors that he was sterile. See, doctor's are only human and not always right. It was the lord's work. DS and myself nearly died during the birth. If it hadn't been so dangerous I would have had more with DH. DS is so precious, and DH is a total blessing to me.
I was 19 with my first and now preg at 30. My pregnancies have always been pretty easy (no morning sickness, no weird test results, normal deliveries etc.) and I want to have a lot of kids so really I don't know when we will be done. But if I have the amount that I really wanted (dh is not so sure about THAT many... ) then I would think I wouldn't be done until I was around 42. Hmmm...maybe I need to rethink how many I want...I guess I didn't do the math on how old I would be! LOL! Maybe we can just adopt some of them. I have always wanted to do adopt.
Our 3rd wasn't planned.. as far as timing goes anyway..lol. I got pregnant 3 months out from a c-section while exclusively nursing. We knew we wanted to try soon.. but wanted to allow my body some time to heal... we figured we would start trying at 8 months out After Reagan was born the dr told me to wait 2 years to get pregnant again, I laughed said "how bout a year?" he said "at the least" laughed and we started trying at 8 months out (after I had my IUD removed )... took us over 2 years for the last one.
I got pregnant at age 24 with oldest and 26 with youngest. We didnt have more because our health ins. no longer covers maternity and we are unable to afford the entire birth etc. on our own and dh didnt want to apply for any entitlements to pay for it.
25 with the first, 30 with the second. I just turned 33 and hubby will be 35 soon. We are done, unless God decides to pull a surprise. It'd have to be a BIG surprise, because hubby is 'neutered' and I still take BC pills for other medical reasons. If we do get pregnant again, it would truly have to be a work from God. lol
I was 36 with my one and only. One of my best friends is 16 weeks pregnant for the first time at the age of 44. This baby has been prayed for and very wanted for a long time!
31 with the first, 34 with the last and one in between. I have loved every age my kids have been but wouldn't repeat an age. DH had the big snip when youngest was born. He wanted 2, was going to get fixed and realized it was the wrong thing to do. We knew that meant we would have a third. They are all a joy. My mom had me at 41 and 3 of my sisters had one at 38.
I did not read all the responses. Okay...I have a 12, 10, 4 and 20 month old. I had my last when I was 35...yikes I'll be 37 this year! lol. My husband just turned 39! We are oldies! LOL. So, you are still younger than I was with your 4th! Money is always an issue in my family as well...and we are not high spending either. There is no doubt each child brings about an added financial responsibility. I find myself looking at everything and dividing by 4...at that rate buying anything packaged, like fruit snacks..etc. is just worth it. A 10 pack of fruit snacks (don't buy those anymore anyway...yuck!lol) will last my kids two and 1/2 days. So, I'm always thinking in those terms. A 1/2 gallon of chocolate milk could be gone in 1 1/2 days! lol. What I hated the most was being told I was of advanced maternal age! LOL. Geesh...it was always a point they made when they wanted to do a scan or whatever. Sure your chances of things going wrong increase at 35 but such is life. I find that having a 4 and 20 month old, keeps me still feeling like I'm 25 on some days but 85 on others. But then again, when I was 25, I felt like 85 on some days with kids! lol. I love having little ones...so it's fun. Besides, you are really staving of off the empty nest syndrome! LOL. Here's my bonus to having children older: Out of the babysitting loop, as my two younger girls will be available to watch their older siblings children. LOL. I'll still see the ole grandkids but at least I can get one of my younger girls to change the diapers! My older kids can babysit the younger kids for FREE! LOL. I get to play Itsy Bitsy Spider for a longer amount of time. My inner child is quite delighted by all the fun of early childhood that seems never ending. I'm old enough NOT to care about advice from peers or not to be bothered by advice. Actually....no one really gives me advice. You get to give it all...as you will be considered having a Ph.D in mothering! lol. When your older kids are defiant...your younger ones are still cute as can be! When your younger ones are defiant...they can go to an older sibling. OR..it won't seem so bad because you know what real defiance is. So, it's all good! But having four kids will put you in the "large family" category. Your friends will cringe when inviting you to events because they have to account for 6 people! LOL. Just kidding.
Old NOTHING!!! You two are STILL 10+ years younger than Carl and I, lol!!! I LOVE not having to worry about babysitting!!! Today I had to make a run to the Columbus Zoo to pick up a kit on the ocean (which is another thread, lol!), and since I couldn't afford to pay for all of us to spend the day, I gave the kids assignments and went by myself. AND I COULD DO THAT!!! (OK, not always! One time, they were suppose to be doing dishes, and Rachael was giving Phillip grief, Phillip slammed something on the counter, which vibrated something else OFF the counter and onto the floor, and Rachael met me at the door when I arrived with all the broken pieces...:evil But for the most part, they do VERY well!
I was 21 with our eldest and dh was 22, and we are still going but would stop by about 34 ish for medical reasons! I think i have more energy this time than last time, but may be its just the boy thing!!
