Yes, You Can Have a Baby After 35

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You may have heard that women shouldn’t have babies after 35. Turns out, that’s not true. To be sure, there are potential challenges to having a baby after 35. But, hitting that birthday doesn’t mean you can’t be pregnant and gie birth to a happy, healthy baby.

Yes, You Can Have a Baby After 35

Meghan Markle, the beautiful American actress who became the Duchess of Sussex, got pregnant with her first child at 37. She’s not alone. The CDC says that in 2016, more women in their 30s were having babies than in their 20s. If you are approaching 35 and want to get pregnant, I hope that encourages you!

Let’s take a quick look at a few of the pros and cons of having a baby after 35.

The Cons of Having a Baby After 35

It might be harder to get pregnant.

As you know, women are born with a certain number of eggs. The older we get, the number of eggs decreases and the quality decreases as well. They aren’t as easily fertilized.

Those factors don’t mean that you can’t get pregnant. They mean you might need a little help getting pregnant. If you’re a younger woman who doesn’t want a baby now but might in the future, you may want to consider freezing your eggs.

Gestational diabetes is more likely for older moms.

Gestational diabetes comes with its own set of risks. Babies can be larger than normal and cause more risk during birth. It can cause high blood pressure for Mom and premature birth for baby. In short, it’s not a good thing to have during pregnancy.

Older moms should definitely be active and monitor their sugar intake. Medication is also available during pregnancy if it occurs.

High blood pressure is more common in older women. 

You can expect more appointments with your OB so that your blood pressure can be monitored closely.

Your chances of twins increases.

Hormonal changes can cause more than one egg to drop at a time. (Actually, I think this is a PRO, not a con!)

Your chance of miscarriage and premature birth increases as you age.

It doesn’t mean you will definitely have a miscarriage when you become pregnant after 35. Not at all. But, the older eggs I mentioned earlier increase the chances.

The Pros of Having a Baby After 35

You’ve lived it up and you’re ready to settle down.

By 35 you’ve done so many cool things in life that you don’t feel like you’re sacrificing everything to have a baby.

You’ve traveled, you’ve moved up the ladder in your career, and you know what life is about. More importantly, you’re more self-assured and because of that, more ready to be a parent.

In your mid-thirties or older, you don’t feel the need to have the world’s approval of your choices. You know who you are and you’re perfectly comfortable with it.

Confident moms raise confident children.

Studies say you’ll live longer.

Women who give birth after 33 tend to live longer, according to Boston University Medical Center. (There are also other studies that back this up.)

You’ll probably be a more chill mom.

Science Daily reports “…research has indicated that a higher maternal age is associated with increased psychosocial well-being during the pregnancy and the early days after the child is born.”

Hoping for a baby after 35?

The first step is to find a doctor who specializes in pregnancies for older moms. You can talk about the things you can do to get healthier, how to deal with any potential fertility issues and how a doctor can best monitor your pregnancy.

Ask for referrals and do your research online to find the right physician for your situation.

In closing, your age shouldn’t be the thing that discourages you from having a baby. Yes, there are things to think about and consider, but isn’t that the case for having kids at any age?

If you’re choosing this path, I sure hope you’ll share your story in the comments. I wish you all health and wellness for both you and your baby!

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35 comments on “Yes, You Can Have a Baby After 35”

  1. Brooke Boleware

    I was consider high risk at 35, and truly didn’t think I could get pregnant! But almost one month before my 36th birthday, after carrying him for 42 weeks my sweet, healthy lil man was born. 37 in just a few short months…a few girlfriends have mentioned twins! It is all in the Lords hands!

  2. I was training for a second marathon and realized I was 40 and pregnant and in the best shape of my life. I made sure I stayed fit and active and pregnancy was easy peasy.  No issues at all. 

    No, I didn’t get to run the marathon! 

  3. I was 30 and 32 with my first two kids. My third one arrived 3 weeks after my 47th birthday. We weren’t trying to get pregnant; it was definitely a much harder pregnancy than my first 2, but he’s healthy and keeps us on our toes! Truly a surprise, a miracle and a blessing!

  4. I had my first child at 35 and my second at 37. Both pregnancies were good in terms of baby health. I didn’t have gestational diabetes or high blood pressure. I was active through both pregnancies. I had trouble with labour, but that wasn’t my age, just genetics. I wasn’t nervvous, I got pregnant right away. My grandma was 38 when my mom was born, so I didn’t consider it a risky thing.

  5. Debbie Elliott

    I had 3 children after the age of 35.  All were healthy and I had no complications. Of course each pregnancy is different, but be encouraged that a normal pregnancy after 35 is possible!

  6. I had my first one right after turning 35 and my second one at 37 1/2.  I was very blessed with 2 very healthy, full term pregnancies.  I didn’t have any complications that sometimes come with pregnancies at this age. I try not to take it for granted how blessed I am to have these pregnancies go with well as I know plenty of women have problems. 

  7. I had my 1st baby at 21, 2nd at 27, 3rd at 40. I know have a 20 year old, 14 year old and 8 month old. It is so much fun. Sure, it’s harder to do some things, like get down and up from the floor, but this article hit the hammer on the head. I’m not concerned about what others think about my choices with my baby. I’ve done some living and feel confident in my career. Life is good and I’m so blessed that God gave me another little life to call me mommy.

  8. I had my daughter at 48, 15 years after my last child. My pregnancy went pretty smoothly and she’s an incredible, intelligent, beautiful 2 year old. Am I tired? Yes! Having a child at this age and doing it solo comes with its own challenges…..But I’m also incredibly fulfilled and content ❤️

  9. Alison midgley

    I had my 3rd baby at 35 then went on to have my 4th at 40 and then my 5th at 42 well 6 weeks away from my 43rd birthday . Did not encounter any problems and wouldnt change a thing .

  10. I had my first baby girl at 22, second baby girl at 23 and then youngest baby girl at 32, miscarried the next baby at 13 weeks which was devastating and then a baby boy at 35, another baby boy at 37 and last baby boy at 39.  Other than the miscarriage all of my other pregnancies were just fine.  No trouble getting pregnant or with my health and I deliver extremely fast. With the first four babies, I delivered without any medication because there just wasn’t time for it.  With the last two babies I was able to have an epidural because the Dr. listened to me about how fast I deliver and started it right as soon as I was checked into my room. Very blessed to have healthy pregnancies & babies. 

  11. Michelle Sirois

    Nice article, thanks for sharing! I pursued having a baby on my own and was blessed to have a healthy beautiful baby boy when I was 45 <3

  12. I had my only child at 36 after 10 years of marriage. Best decision evah. Healthy pregnancy. None of the mentioned above. She is a bright, beautiful, outgoing 12 year old. Such a blessing.

  13. I had a surprise baby at 19. Extremely anemic, morning sickness was awful. This was the days of “drive thru deliveries” and LOTS of inductions – so I was induced 2 days after my “due date” (which we now know isn’t a firm date but more of a guideline) and was kind of railroaded into an epidural, but baby boy was fine and we survived to tell the tale.

    I had a baby at 36 – planned, got pregnant more easily than expected after 2 months of not trying but not preventing, no problem with the pregnancy, felt great, easy quick and natural birth. Baby boy #2 is graduating kindergarten in a few weeks!

    I am adding my comment while holding my second surprise baby boy #3 – who is now 6 months old – who we found out about at 41 and was born when I was 42! No problems with this pregnancy either – aside from being a bit more tired and achy. Worked up until the day before he was born and I think he’d have just come a day later if the hospital had sent us home instead of admitting us… some folks said 4cm dilated, some thought 3 (4 is the threshold for admission). I think, if sent home, labor would have progressed on its own and he would have been born one day later, but once admitted we were on their timeline and pitocin was hung – necessitating an epidural at 9cm. It was a wild ride after that and everyone is great today!

  14. Sherry Newton

    I tried to get pregnant for many years then I’ll finally had the money to go through fertility myself and my husband did in vitro I was 38 years old and was pregnant with twins a boy and a girl but they are also my frozen embryos after the first time of trying they put three of my embryos in me and they didn’t take so I had four more and froze them for 6 months then after finding out the first time did not take it had been about six months myself and my husband had the doctors take the frozen eggs out and after the process there was two that was able to be transferred to my body and I am so blessed that they turned out to be a boy and a girl I am now 55 and my twins are almost 16 they was born 2003 and I had no problems being pregnant I was so blessed I was at the best I have ever been in my life my blood pressure did not go high it actually came down from being high my whole life and I did not have any problems with blood sugar so I am so happy that I had my children when I was 38 years old I was also much more grew up and able to give them what they need and love financially and mentally it is great when you’re older to have a baby I highly recommend anyone who is trying don’t ever give up sincerely Sherry Goodyear Newton

  15. I had my fourth child at age 38, and the entire pregnancy was amazing, felt great, was very active, had no complications or issues, and delivered a beautiful and healthy baby girl

  16. I just had a baby at 45. We tried the fertility route for about 7 years unsuccessfully, then when we stopped “trying” it happened. I could not agree with this article more. I’m secure in my career and in myself, and hope to live longer as well!

    1. Wow I’m 44 and slightly scared but would love a baby, everyone thinks I should not however as my last pregnancy 10 years ago was tricky but can’t bare to think that’s it and my son needs a sibling. Some days I’m so down and upset that it’s no way going to happen. I’m not the healthiest everything borderline thyroid or borderline diabetic so that’s my concern but my hearts breaking at the thought of one.
      Love your story.

  17. Lorriane Smith

    Had my first child at 23 and by 26 had 3 children. Had my forth and final child at age 44. Miscarried two before having my last child who is now 22 and I am 66. We have a lot of laughs together and have no regrets about having a child later in life.

  18. I had my first child at 22, my second at 24 and my third at 43. Parenting has been so much easier and relaxing third time around.

  19. Amazing…. pregnant at 39 and again at 46 . NO help no problems for myself or either baby. I am grateful:)

  20. Theresa Switzenberg

    I am 37 and finally found a womderful man.  I never had a strong desire to have children but we have been together for almost 4 years and he is so great it makes me want a baby. We tried for about a year on our own but no luck. We went to the fertility doctor and all our test came back good but we still decided to get a little help since click is ticking. I got IUI yesterday and I am really hoping for twins but would be happy with just one. Wish us luck!!

    1. Theresa congratulations! Im ahead of you by 25 years, best life change ever! My daughter has down Syndrome, best daughter and piece od of my life!

    2. Good luck!!  Did IVF at 34 and got twin boys. Then surprise  boy 5 years later at 39.

  21. I had my first baby at 35. Second at 38 and third just a couple months shy of my 43rd birthday. I did have a couple of miscarriages in there m, one at 13 weeks which was very difficult. 
    But my pregnancies were perfect. No problems.  The only issue I had … and I don’t think it has to do with age … is precipitous labor. Meaning I have babies FAST. I was an 8 when I got to hospital with my first, a 9 with second and, a 10 with the third. For the last one I just knew what was happening. Went in the living room, took off my pants and told my husband to call an ambulance. I was totally prepared to just give birth in the living room , lol. We made it to the ER via ambulance and she was out twelve minutes later! Lol
    I get pretty frustrated with all the age stuff. You’re young for this and old for that. It’s all relative. Just live your life. We can’t all go by some predetermined clock that culture dictates. I was willing to accept a Downs baby or whatever came my way. My last one did come a few weeks early but she was 7.4 so it wasn’t a big deal at all except for some jaundice. 
    Anyway, all the best to you and you babies! 

  22. I had three children in my 30’s–at ages 33, 37 and 39. The pregnancies were without problems. Labor was normal. My firstborn was 4 hours, second 45 minutes, and third was natural childbirth because there was no time for anaesthesia–5 minutes of labor. All three were average birth weight, healthy newborns.

  23. I had my only at 35. I was much less anal than I had been as a young women, older women have prettier babies and I breastfed so shes smart. Working on her doctorate. She is my best friend and I feel truly blessed ti jave her in my life.

  24. Shirley Heffler

    I was 36. When I had my second child. I am type 1 diabetic since I was a teenager both of my pregnancies was the healthiest I ever felt..First daughter born 3 weeks early and healthy second daughter born 9 weeks early the baby stayed in hospital for 1 month to gain weight.Now they are 25 and 18 the oldest is a mother and wife her baby is turning 1 years.And my husband and I are proud Grandparents.The second daughter is finishing up high school and doing great

  25. I had my first at 36 and 2nd at 37. I’m 41 now.i always wanted to have 3 kids. My oldest has Autism and my doctor told me not to have any kids because with age I have higher chance of having another special needs child.
    I feel incomplete as a mother

  26. I had my daughter at 40. We didn’t plan it that way, we actually gave up after 8 years of trying. Eventually we adopted 3 siblings and 2 years later I was pregnant! I was able to breastfeed her for 3 years. She is the healthiest young lady and so confident. We are best friends!

  27. Shannon Ellis

    Had my first daughter at 36 and the second at 38.  Got pregnant both times easy, no gestational pregnancy, bp normal, no issues and both girls healthy.  I’m glad I waited and I am grateful that I had no issues despite being an older mom.  

  28. I had my first at 37 and my second at 40.   I had tried multiple infertility treatments with no success.   Then decided to take a break from any treatment.  Then found we were pregnant on our own.   What a blessing!  With God, anything’s possible!

  29. Barbara Richards

    Hi I had a baby girl in 1980, I was 32, closer to 33. I got extremely toxic, HBP. I WAS A HIGH RISK PREGNANCY. After my daughter’s birth I bled out resulting in having to receive 4 transfusions. However my daughter is now 39 & has 2 daughters of her own. I was very lucky to have survived this pregnancy.