'I'm almost 45 and I desperately want to have another baby'

"I feel like there has been a huge hole in my life."

Lauren Robinson

@L_Robinson96

2 min read

February 11, 2025 - 3:11PM

Parenting

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A mother has revealed she’s longing for another baby - 14 years after welcoming her firstborn.

She’s confident that even at 42, the window of opportunity hasn’t completely closed on her dream.

“I am seriously considering this as I feel like there has been a huge hole in my life,” she shared.

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"Think long-term"

Having another child has always been something she’s longed for, but life has gotten in the way.

“A domestic violence relationship, throwing myself into a career and being a mum meant I couldn't even think of these things until now,” she explained.

The woman says she’s in a great position financially and she’s single, but she's protecting her heart.

“I'm only just venturing back into dating world. I'll be damned if I've gone through everything I have just to end up back in a crappy relationship,” she said.

Her limit for falling pregnant is 45.

Wanting to understand the potential further, she took to a parenting forum for advice.

“My friend got married at 29 and she never got pregnant... until she was 46! They had resigned to the fact they weren't going to have any so happy surprises. The Dad was 50. The boy is now 23, going fine, and the parents are well too,” one commenter shared.

“Is it fair on you? I'm healthy, active and fit and couldn't cope with a baby and the following decade of raising a child that's for sure,” another asked.

“I don't know whether 45 is too old to have a baby, but I'm pretty sure that 60 is way too old to have a 15 year old! Think long- term,” a third added.

Image: iStock

"Adoption route"

Some suggested alternatives.

“Get a puppy instead,” came one suggestion.

“If you really want a child I'd consider the adoption route, looking at a preschooler,” another offered.

Pregnancy after 40 is classed as geriatric.

The Australian Government's Pregnancy, birth and baby service says that while most people over 40 have healthy pregnancies and babies, the risk of complications does heighten.

They are more likely to experience miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, deep vein thrombosis and heartburn.

While later on in pregnancy complications can arise such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia and premature labour.

Doctors will often suggest delivery at 40 weeks or recommend induction to prevent stillbirth.

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The mother has since revealed she wants to explore alternatives.

“I want to expand my family, however I will be looking at other options including perhaps fostering or supporting children who are already in need,” she explained.

“I'm not stuck on that child needing to be biologically mine.”