'There's no right age to become a mum'

At any time, having children will bring misgivings as well as joy. Four women share the pros and cons of becoming a mother early or later in life

- By Alice Grebot

Lynsey Bleakley, 46, was 24 when she had her daughter, Yazmin. She runs an award-winning bakehouse near Bangor, County Down (bumbleandgoose.co.uk).

From the moment I discovered I was pregnant with Yazmin, I was over the moon. She was very much planned for and very much wanted. I was married at 21, had a job in a bank, and that desire to be a mother was a huge part of my identity.

Yazmin was a contented baby and I took to motherhood with ease. Being younger when I had her, I think I went with the flow more, as I had no established routine of life yet. I just took things as they came. Having a baby is a huge adjustment, but such a joy as well.

Even then, 24 was considered young to have a baby. I only had one friend who already had a baby, and another, who was 12 years older than me, was pregnant at the same time as me with her fourth child. She had a very positive influence on me, as she was so laid-back, having already had three children. I also received a huge amount of support and guidance from my own mother. Looking back, I wonder if it helped that I wasn't surrounded by lots of friends with babies, as it meant there weren't constant comparisons being made.

Far from hindering my career, having a baby when I did actually led me to one. I was inspired to become a nurse and then a health visitor following my own experiences after Yazmin was born - a career that I continued for 18 years.