Hello!

I’m heavily considering having a 4th child. I’ve just turned 40. It would be my 4th pregnancy and child, but my partners 2nd child.
Id love to hear from other women who have had more than 3 pregnancies, especially over the age of 40. My concerns are the effect it could have on my body and financially in years to come? I’d hate for finances to be a deciding factor, but I feel it wouldn’t be sensible for me Not to think about it.


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  • Hell yeah, if you’re fit and healthy and want another baby, go for it!
    Obviously, finances do play a part as well, but that’s really in your own know how if that’s possible or not


  • Two of my three pregnancies were over 40. Yes, it had a massive impact on my body. Financially it was not such a big deal. And I wouldn’t trade the kids for anything.


  • I’ve got a friend who has just had her 4th baby, age 41 and 10 years after her last pregnancy. They referred to her as a geriatric pregnancy, which didn’t really impress her. She gave birth early and bub had to stay in hospital for 3 weeks, but he’s home now and doing well


  • I think that anyone deciding to have a fourth child should ask themselves – why? My mother was in her early 40s when I was born and I have found it very difficult having an older mother (compared to my peers) It’s been especially hard seeing her not being able to be as involved and as active with her grand children.


  • I don’t think being 40 is a factor so long as you are in good health. I’d love to know what you decided.


  • if you want another child, can handle it both financially and physically, go for it!


  • sounds like you want one! don’t let finances stop you. good luck xxx
    to me the deciding factor was sleep/stress


  • I am a senior Mum with grown children,my girlfriend in England had her third child at 40 a surprise! hich has proved very successful. Also have a friend who was like a daughter to me,she married and could not have a child IVF tried and other methods none woking,however at 40 she to became pregnant naturally and has a lovely healthy 7 year old daughter. So my advice would be if you are considering it, both you and your partner and physically OK the choice is yours. I had my sons one at 27 years old and due to misscarriage and complications did not fall pregnant with my second child until I was 34 years old. I am glad I have both of them. The big decission is yours together but I wish you all the best..All children healthy and financially you do manage…


  • Personally its not having a baby at 40 its having a teenager in my mid 50’s that stopped me. But if it suits your family circumstances then go for it….


  • Good luck with your decision!


  • Maybe visit a GP for a check up, write a pros and cons list and discuss in great detail with your partner.


  • Go for it I would say !! I had my first baby at 40 and my second at 41. Now I’m 52 and we added 3 more children in permanent care. I like to live by the day and not to worry too much about later !


  • So many decide to have their first child at 40 – if you are healthy and happy, why not? I did have four children and love them dearly but at an earlier age, even though I did have health problems and was advised against having a fourth. It must be a careful decision between you and your partner, but I don’t think age [40] is a problem.


  • I had my last at 39, he is almost 6 months old and I wouldn’t change it for the world. I had a lot of health problems related to my last 2 pregnancies but I and my 2 littlest men are all here to tell the story but I have had to have my tubes tied because it is too unsafe for me to have any more :( I just have to settle for the bestest aunty ever!


  • I’m a mum of four and had my last at 35 (a 7 year age gap between the 3rd & 4th, same father for all). I thought I was done at 3 but then I got clucky again, I knew if I didn’t go for it I would always regret it. Financially for us it was harder as we had to upgrade to a 7 seater. I’d say go for it otherwise you’ll always wonder what if???? Financially I think you just seem to make it work, have no regrets in life!


  • Mother of six, yes the latest ones was a mixed set of twins. Not planned but a beautiful surprise , I had twins at 51 years old. Yes it is more tiring at times but as the years are going by things are settling down. My older children have all helped me with looking after the little darlings. Lucky to have no real health problems for me. My son does have some problems but that can happen even with young mums.
    Money wise I think it is more the fact they were twins and getting enough things for them. My child before this was 13 years old and the others were in their late 20’s and one was 31. So no baby things around to use. Write everything down pros and cons and really think about it.


  • I say weigh up the risks. im 41 and have three kids and we decided we were happy(after wondering if we should go again) but they were kids we had together so i can understand you wanting another to finish the family.. (i dont think i could of handled another pregnancy )If you have the energy and fell healthy enough to go for it do it now before it gets to hard..


  • I’ve just got one child that I had when I was 36 years old. 40 years old is not much older so I’d say go for it, if that’s what you want. :-)


  • No experience here but the older you are the more chance of twins (that has an effect on the body!), so have finances in order just in case! And I’d really want to get checked out for any lurking health issues (that tend to arise in the 40s and 50s) since looking after children and having a chronic condition isn’t fun. And of course check with GP about any risks there might be with a pregnancy itself (can be harder to get pregnant, Downs more likely, miscarriage more likely, twins etc.).


  • If you are healthy I don’t think being 40 is a deciding factor as to whether you have another child. Your GP would be able to give you more information about any possible risk factors for you and the baby. Financially, of course another baby will add to the household expenses. All this being said, it’s really up to you and your partner whether you try for another child. All the best with your decision.


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