The average age for a mother's first child varies globally but is generally rising, often around the late 20s to early 30s in developed nations, like ~30 in Australia (2023) and ~29 in the US (2019), influenced by education and career, while younger averages persist in some African nations due to cultural factors.
Trend in the Mean Age of Mother at First Birth
The mean age of mothers at the time of their first birth has increased by about 2 years since 2010. In 2010 the mean age was 25.4 years and in 2023 it was 27.5 years.
The mean maternal age for mothers who gave birth for the first time rose from 29.6 in 2019 to 30.1 years in 2023. The mean maternal age for women who have previously given birth rose from 32.0 in 2019 to 32.4 years in 2023.
Yes. On average the first babies will be born slightly after the due date, and actually due dates are a few days short in general. But lots of babies show up weeks early too.
In 2022 the average age of mothers giving birth to their first child in England and Wales was 29.2 years of age, followed by 31.5 years for the second child, 32.6 for the third child, and 33.6 for the fourth child.
If you're older than 35 and hoping to get pregnant, you're in good company. Many families are delaying pregnancy well into their 30s and beyond — and delivering healthy babies. Taking special care can help give your baby the best start.
In 2019, the oldest first-time mothers (30 years old and over) were found in Italy (31.3 years), Spain and Luxembourg (both 31.1), Ireland (30.7), Greece (30.6), the Netherlands (30.1) and Cyprus (30.0).
First-time mothers are most likely to give birth in the 39th or 40th week. For twins, spontaneous births typically occur around weeks 36 and 37, and few pregnancies go beyond 38 weeks, due to medical considerations. “Full term” is now defined as 39 to 40 weeks, while 37 to 38 weeks is called “early term.”
Average baby weights
The average weight of a baby born at 37 to 40 weeks ranges from 5 lb 8 oz to 8 lb 13 oz. This equates to 2.5 to 4 kg. At delivery, experts consider a low birth weight to be less than 5 lb 8 oz, or 2.5 kg. It is common for babies to lose around 10% of their weight during the first week after birth.
Health care providers use methods like the last menstrual period, ovulation dates, and ultrasounds to estimate due dates. Factors like age, carrying multiples, or having certain health conditions can influence whether a baby arrives early or late.
BIOLOGICAL FACTORS
From a biological point of view, studies establish that the best age to have children with the least amount of complications in pregnancy and post-partum, is between 25 and 29.9 years old. Indeed, female fertility reaches its peak levels within this age range.
Other reasons could be the state of the world, the cultural environment and the future.” In Australia, the average age for women having a second child has risen, with a median age of 31.9 years. For first-time mums, it was 29.9 in 2023, and in 1998 the average age was 28.9 years.
A woman's peak reproductive years are between the late teens and late 20s. By age 30, fertility (the ability to get pregnant) starts to decline. This decline happens faster once you reach your mid-30s. By 45, fertility has declined so much that getting pregnant naturally is unlikely.
The study found that maternal age played a key role in children's sex at birth. Women who began having children over age 28 were slightly more likely to have either all boys or all girls. Chavarro said these differences could be due to biological changes in women as they age.
Age 35 is often used as a marker for advanced maternal age because this is when your risk of pregnancy complications starts to increase. But the risk goes up gradually over time, and it's still possible to have a healthy pregnancy beyond this age. “[There is] no specific age [that it becomes unsafe],” says Dr.
Ideal weight for conception varies
The healthy BMI range is between 18.5 and 24.9. Adults with a BMI between 25 and 29 are considered overweight and a BMI over 30 indicates obesity.
The average birth weight for babies is around 3.5 kg (7.5 lb), although between 2.5 and 4.5 kg (5.5 and 10 lb) is considered normal. In general: Boys are usually a little heavier than girls. First babies are usually lighter than later siblings.
The "3-2-1 Rule" in pregnancy is a guideline for first-time mothers to know when to call their midwife or doctor for active labor: consistent contractions that are 3 minutes apart, lasting 2 minutes each, for 1 hour (or sometimes cited as 3-1-1, meaning 3 minutes apart, 1 minute long, for 1 hour). For subsequent pregnancies, the 5-1-1 Rule (5 minutes apart, 1 minute long, for 1 hour) is often used, indicating labor is progressing more quickly.
In support of the widely held understanding that first babies are more likely to be born “late,” we found that deliveries go beyond 41 weeks' gestation 1.53 times more frequently among mothers with a first-time delivery compared to those who have previously delivered, confirming anecdotal wisdom.
Results: There was a significant positive effect of consuming date fruits on maternal outcomes in the first and third stages of labor. The group of pregnant women who consumed dates had a shortened latent phase of labor, which meant that their cervix reached maximum dilation (10 cm) faster.
In Australia, the average age of women giving birth has steadily risen over the past few decades. As of 2023, the average age for a woman to have her first baby is around 31 years.
The oldest verified mother to conceive naturally (listed currently as of 26 January 2017 in the Guinness Records) is Dawn Brooke (Guernsey); she conceived a son at the age of 59 in 1997.
While there's no "ideal" age gap between children, there are things to think about — or prepare for — as you expand your family. If you know you will have more than one child, deciding on when to have that second (or third) baby can be a big decision.