They say there is never a perfect time to have a baby. According to the Office of National Statistics, the average first-time Mum is now 30, four years older than the most common age 40 years ago. Some of us start early, but many find they’ve left it too late; so if we could decide what is the best age to become a parent?

LATE TEENS/EARLY TWENTIES

THE PRO’S

FERTILE MYRTLE

Fertility declines with age, so barring any pre-existing issues you’ve got a higher chance of conceiving naturally. An estimated 25 percent of women aged 19-25 get pregnant within the first month of trying.

THE GIFT OF TIME

With any luck, you’ll get to enjoy your kids (and your Grandkids) for many decades to come; and you’ll still look hot for most of them.

THE CON’S

BABIES ARE EXPENSIVE

You might still be finding your feet financially, dealing with student debt or working to get on the property ladder and suddenly you’ve got a pram and nappies to pay for.

IT TAKES A VILLAGE

A solid support system is massively important, and chances are most of your mates are still out partying and making inappropriate life choices whilst you’re struggling with night feeds and silent reflux.

MID-LATE TWENTIES

THE PRO’S

YOU’VE STILL GOT LOADS OF ENERGY

Not that long ago you were pulling all-nighters to finish your dissertation and stumbling out of the club at 5am, so night feeds and broken sleep might not feel so bad.

YOU’LL STILL BE YOUNG AND FUN WHEN THE KIDS LEAVE HOME

Empty-nesters by your late forties and free to go live your best life. Ibiza here we come!

THE CON’S

YOU’RE STILL ESTABLISHING YOUR CAREER

You’ve finally found your dream job and now you’ve got to take a year out to look after a newborn. It shouldn’t matter, but let’s face it; sometimes it does.

THIRTIES

YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE

You’ve survived your twenties; years of crippling insecurity, and finally feel happy in your own skin. You’ve got this.

THE PARTY IS OVER

You’ve done the travelling thing AND the party girl thing to death and you’re more than ready to hang up your Manolo’s for a pair off UGG slippers and your comfiest PJ’s.

THE CON’S

IT MIGHT BE HARDER TO CONCEIEVE

Mother Nature waits for no (wo)man and whilst you might have wanted to wait until you got your career going and found the right partner, fertility rapidly declines from the age of 35.

FORTY PLUS

THE PRO’S

YOUR KID WILL BE A TOTAL BRAINBOX

A recent study in the US suggested offspring of ‘advantaged maternal aged mothers’ had better educational outcomes, such as higher test scores and graduation rates.

YOU’LL HAVE MORE PATIENCE

With more life experience, comes an understanding that sometimes things are outside your control; and you have to learn to sit back and enjoy the tantrum.

THE CON’S

IT CAN BE RISKIER FOR YOU AND THE BABY

Women over the age of 35 are delightfully dubbed ‘Geriatric Mothers’ and are typically at a much higher risk of things like pre-eclampsia, high blood pressure and premature delivery.  

How old were you when you had your first baby? Share your experience in the comments below…