"I can see the benefits of waiting until you're in your 30s to have kids and I can see the disadvantages," she said.
"In my antenatal group, I am one of the oldest. There are girls who are 12 to 13 years younger than me and they tend to have more energy, and are more keen to go out and do stuff.
"But I find I have patience and experience and I have done what I want to do. I have done my travelling, I have worked hard and I felt ready."
The data released this week showed there were 3504 live births in the Bay of Plenty in 2014, a drop from the 3695 recorded in 2013. Meanwhile, there were 2350 deaths in the region - up from 2237 in the year before.
Nationally New Zealand's population grew by 26,179 last year, the slowest growth recorded in 13 years.
There were 57,242 live births and 31,063 deaths registered in New Zealand in 2014 - a natural increase of 26,179. That was the lowest since 2002 (25,956). There were 1475 fewer births than in 2013, and 1495 more deaths.
Regional fertility rates showed Northland had the highest total fertility rate (2.55 births per woman) in 2013.
Women in regions with high fertility tend to have their babies younger. In Northland the median age of women giving birth in 2013 was 28 years, compared with 30 years for all of New Zealand.
Meanwhile, the number of deaths registered during 2014 was 31,063 - up 1495 from 29,568 in 2013.
The median age at death in 2014 was 78 for males and 83 for females.