Anyone not going for more children because of advanced maternal age?

[Anonymous]

I'm turning 35 and have 2 kids already. I would like to go for a third but am terrified of having an unhealthy child. I know a lot of women have kids at an older age. It is a known fact that genetic abnormalities increase at an exponential rate as the mom ages after 35. I'm surprised more women are not concerned about this.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, in my opinion 35 is not that old. 45 and we'll talk, I mean it's a concern, but it's also a concern when your 25.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, in my opinion 35 is not that old. 45 and we'll talk, I mean it's a concern, but it's also a concern when your 25.

OP here. My youngest is only 1.5 years old. If we went for a third, I'd want to try in 1-2 years so I would be 37.

[Anonymous]

Going for it at 39. It's a concern, yes, but life is risky.

[Anonymous]

gosh - i have 3 and my oldest was born when I was 36 (just shy of 37). I understood the risks that advanced maternal age presented and decided that it was the right decision.

we stopped after 3 b/c we are tired and need some sleep - and want to retire someday. We may adopt - but not sure on that yet.

[Anonymous]

Me.

We have plenty of family history so there's no way I'll take this risk. We're done with 2. And I'm 32.

[Anonymous]

I am 45 and will try for a third..even though my first has ADHD and some sensory issues. It's not that I don't care about the risk. I would do genetic testing for as many conditions they could test for. I have looked at the numbers and they don't frighten me so for us it's worth the risk.

[Anonymous]

Given all the testing that is available and given what is a somewhat socially permissive "choice" culture, it seems to me that families are kind of, I don't know... pressured maybe? To abort a child who tests as having Down Syndrome. I am pro-choice as a policy stance, don't get me wrong, but I am not "pro abortion" as a socio-cultural stance.

When I hear of people say that they'll attempt to get pregnant but will abort if a Trisomy 21 abnormality presents itself in the pregnancy, I get veeeeeery, um, well, very sad. Depressed.

And I almost get the sense that many people would look at a parent of a child with a chromosomal abnormality and think: "Why didn't you get tested? And if it came up positive, why didn't you abort?" As if it's almost a social--or even moral?--responsibility to do so.

I don't know where I'm going with this. Nowhere, really. Maybe just to say that it makes sense that if having a child with a chromosomal abnormality terrifies you (whether for selfish reasons or "for the sake of the child") then it makes total sense not to attempt pregnancy at all, or at least avoid it when the chances of this happening skyrocket.

[Anonymous]

42, husband is a diabetic. ASD on my side of the family. Probably not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Given all the testing that is available and given what is a somewhat socially permissive "choice" culture, it seems to me that families are kind of, I don't know... pressured maybe? To abort a child who tests as having Down Syndrome. I am pro-choice as a policy stance, don't get me wrong, but I am not "pro abortion" as a socio-cultural stance.

When I hear of people say that they'll attempt to get pregnant but will abort if a Trisomy 21 abnormality presents itself in the pregnancy, I get veeeeeery, um, well, very sad. Depressed.

And I almost get the sense that many people would look at a parent of a child with a chromosomal abnormality and think: "Why didn't you get tested? And if it came up positive, why didn't you abort?" As if it's almost a social--or even moral?--responsibility to do so.

I don't know where I'm going with this. Nowhere, really. Maybe just to say that it makes sense that if having a child with a chromosomal abnormality terrifies you (whether for selfish reasons or "for the sake of the child") then it makes total sense not to attempt pregnancy at all, or at least avoid it when the chances of this happening skyrocket.

As a pro-choice feminist with a brother with Downs I cannot agree more. That kid is the happiest most joyful person I know, and brings much joy to those around. I hate that people think that they must have this genetically "perfect" child. Don't get me wrong, severe abnormalities, I understand.

[Anonymous]

My OB told me that look, the difference between 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37 is nominal. 35 is an arbitrary cutoff. 25 to 35 to 45 - yes you'll see differences in risk there.

[Anonymous]

I had two children by 30 and stopped there. If I had gone for number 3 it would have been no later than 32.
Am almost 37 now.

[Anonymous]

PP back. It's not because I was/am worried about abnormalities it's because I am looking forward to having both my children in college when I am 47.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP back. It's not because I was/am worried about abnormalities it's because I am looking forward to having both my children in college when I am 47.

P
No wonder;you had no life in your twenties.

[Anonymous]

I had a kid at 39. ASD in the family. Everything worked out wonderfully.