How did you know you were ready to add a child to your family?

I only TTC once. Started being unplanned pregnant at 17, right after our 1st experience, we decided to TTC for out second one. It succeeded on first time not using birth control. Because I don’t want to start all over again when kid nr 1 is getting more independent. We were surprised with number 3, 12 years after our kid nr 2.


Energy - From my experience, I prefer to be a younger mom than an older mom. The pregnancy was a breeze when I was 12 years younger, and I had soooo much more energy back then to take care of 2 little ones.
Financially - we were very tight budgeted back then as student with kids. However, I love how my adult kids turn out to be very careful with spending money because they are used to grow up saving money where we can.

Looking back, if I were to plan a baby with anyone, I would do a genetic testing, just to see if we have to be cautious about that. Regular check up to see if I am fit. Exercise no matter what, no excuses, before, during, and 6 weeks after the pregnancy to keep mom healthy! And also eat healthy diet months before TTC, and as long as I was nursing. I nursed my last baby for 3 years and 4 months. It’s a wonderful feeling!
Mentally, I don’t know the right answer, but I felt like I had way more patience as “older mom” (32 that time”. Every stage of our age have negative and positive side of becoming a mom.

My husband and I decided to have try to have a baby once we got married. He wanted to have a baby pretty much from the start of our relationship, but I wanted to wait until we got married. I am 26 now and I would rather not be an older mom. My mom also had uterus cancer at 34 so that was another deciding factor for me because my chances are increased given my mom's history. We have been trying for almost 10 months, but I was recently diagnosed with PCOS so we are having a more difficult time than I had thought we would. My doctor had me take ovulation medication about two weeks ago to try and help increase my chances of pregnancy.

Tbh I don’t know if I’ll ever be 100% ready. First, I wanted to be married and financially stable. I was hoping that would happen sooner in my life but things didn’t go as planned. My husband is 7 years older and really wants a baby. I am turning 30 soon and I want to have two before 35 so now is the time. I’m nervous but doing everything I can to be healthy and prep carefully. Most importantly, we have such a solid, complete relationship I’m ready to bring another person into it. I don’t have any reason to think I’ll have fertility issues but I’m anxious about it from all the stories I’ve heard and I don’t want to wait five more years only to find out later than sooner that I need treatments or should consider adopting. I’d rather start now. I know we’ll be so happy when we get that positive. And if we don’t we still have time to figure things out.

We are getting married in October, and plan to try to have a child maybe a year after. I’m 30 now, he’s 33. We don’t really have a choice in being ‘older’ parents, but we look forward to it in the future if that’s what it brings. I think whenever the two of you can communicate honestly, and both know you are ready, then it’s time. Just remember it’s not about the two of you anymore, so I’ve always felt less selfish for wanting to have that ‘selfish’ time with my fiancé before we start a family. We’ve been together for 7 years now, but definitely would not have been ready for it in our 20s. I know many women waiting for their 30s if they can, to have a child. But again, that’s just me!
I hope everything works out for you!

It'll be different for everyone.

I've been ready *mentally* for a while, but DH wasn't - and we weren't even engaged, then. But with my age (I'm in my mid-30s), and some changes in our financial situation after the wedding, we went from "hopefully soon" to "let's go."

We're about 5 months into TTC, hopefully soon, indeed.

But mostly it's a matter of being in a good place in your relationship, feeling in a place where you can take care of another being, and, if you're really lucky, a good financial place.

You’re never really 100% ready! But it’s honestly the most rewarding and fulfilling part of my life. If you know in your heart and mind that you can give all your being and love to another human. That you want to create life with the one you hold dear and you are both ready to share all that love with a little one. Then that’s how you know.

I’m not sure you will ever feel “100% ready” there will always be more you want to do or improve on before having a baby, but I agree with what had been said about the benefits of starting earlier rather than later. From a health standpoint, it is so much healthier having a baby before age 35 and the risk is severely reduced. Not to mention, it will be easier and you will have much more energy in your late twenties and early thirties. We are 23 right now, getting married when we are 24 and will be TTC in 4-5 years after the wedding to give us some time and more growth. We are lucky and grateful to have met each other so young and have this chance to grow before babies

Honestly ever since being engaged and trying to plan a wedding I've been thinking more and more about this. I'm thinking about maybe starting ttc right after the wedding, future holds a lot of unknowns we are trying to also purchase our fist home. I would feel better getting the baby making out of the way before we get older he's 34 and I'm 28. I want to be able to enjoy my mom years while I have energy and am able to keep up with them. I'm the person that has to know schedules and times and I think well have to have a more serious conversation about it now.

So glad to see I'm not the only one wondering this despite the pandemic! I'm turning 27 next month and my husband is 30. We were married Jan 2019 and are just starting to discuss bringing another life into our marriage. I know that now is the time to start preparing, because for once, I'm not as completely terrified at the idea of having a child. We are comfortable with each other, with our home, and financially (for now). The idea of having a baby just excites me and I am interested in becoming as informed as I can be! Good luck for whenever you two are ready