Older Moms: Good News and Bad News
Two articles in the Daily Mail point out the benefits - and dangers - of becoming a mom later in life.
In a recently published book, Elizabeth Gregory, director of women's studies at the University of Houston in Texas, notes that women who delay motherhood until their thirties are better mothers. They're more stable in their lives and relationships, more financially secure, and more likely to put aside their careers because they've already achieved some success. These women make motherhood a priority.
That's the good news for older moms.
The bad news? You may have a heart big enough to love a child in later life, but not quite big enough to handle the stress of pregnancy, according to a report by Dr. Andra James in the medical journal Circulation.
If you're pregnant at age 40, your risk of having a heart attack during pregnancy is 30 times greater than that of a 20-year-old. Even if you wait until age 30, you'll still face a risk 7 times greater. And other health factors such as blood pressure, diabetes, infection and migraines magnify the risks.
To wait or not to wait. That is the question.
True confessions time. I had both later, at age 30 and 33. How old were you when you had yours?
Take this poll and see how you compare to other women, or leave a comment if you'd like to tell your story.
The age at which you had (or plan on having) your first child:
Comments
I had my daughter when I was 20. The pregnancy was easier, or I should say my body was better able to handle the problems of that pregnancy. As a mother, though, I was immature, clueless and completely unprepared for the work it takes to raise a child.
I had my son when I was 29 (well, 1 mo. away from 30, but still 29!). The pregnancy took a greater toll on my body but the parenting part is easier.
As far as the career part goes, I think that has an awful lot more to do with social class issues and society’s expectations than anything else. IMHO.
The medical community calls moms over 35 “Advanced Maternal Age.”
I call myself a repeater Mommy-Come-Lately.
I had my first three children by the time I was 30. Then I had my fourth child–surprise!–when I was 41. Suddenly, I was part of a trend–older women having babies.
Advantages: After the initial shock, I was a lot calmer with my caboose baby. I knew what I wanted to major on as a mom, and what I wanted to let slide. I had some built-in babysitters, at least until my older kiddos went off to college.
Disadvantages: Labor and delivery were more complicated. I think my body forgot what it was supposed to do. I had some gyn problems afterwards. My thyroid stopped working. But no heart attack, I’m thankful to say.
I wrote a book on late-in-life motherhood called BABY CHANGES EVERYTHING: Embracing and Preparing for Motherhood after 35. It takes a “whole family” approach and has a chapter for dads and older siblings and the caboose kiddos.