Becoming a parent at any age is rewarding, however becoming a parent at mid-life has its own risks and rewards. Yet many women are choosing to become mothers after 40, either due to career, emotional and/or financial stability, late marriage, or a remarriage. Parenting at mid-life is now a choice that many women are making.
Pregnancy Risks After 35:
Beginning around the age of 35, the risk of miscarriage and decreased fertility increases. Infertility may prompt some women to seek In-Vitro Infertilization (IVF), which increases the possibility of carrying twins or multiples. Birth defects also increase with the chance of a neural tube defect, chromosomal disorders, or Down's Syndrome. Other birth defects may include the heart, musculoskeletal anomalies, spina bifida, and orofacial clefts-cleft lip/cleft palate.
Advanced screening such as Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), a blood test, and an ultrasound can help eliminate any concerns of a birth defect. AFP is usually used around the 16th week of pregnancy. Other tests may include amniocentesis and Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS). This test is usually done around the 10th week of pregnancy. According to the Center for Disease Control, CDC, birth defects affect one in 33 babies each year born in the United States.
Benefits and Rewards:
There are added benefits to becoming a parent at mid-life, and many have chosen this route for the following reasons:
- financial stability
- career stability
- healthier lifestyle choices
- opportunity to achieve a higher education
- stability in marriage
- emotional maturity
- hindsight/confidence-especially for those experiencing remarriage and raising second families
- overall stability in life to enjoy parenting
- remarriage and starting a second family
Difficulties of Mid-Life Parenting:
The demands of parenting can be difficult at times for any woman, however women of advanced maternal age need to keep in mind the possible side affects advancing age can bring:
- possible increased fatigue
- hormonal changes and the physiological changes that menopause brings
- advanced health considerations
- retirement and college education funding
- ability to care for the child during teen and young adult years as parental age advances
- possible planned care for old age if this is an only child, or if children are young
Choosing to become at parent at any age is a personal decision, and with that carries its own risks and rewards. Due to advances in health care, adopting healthier lifestyles, incorporating a daily exercise routine, and opting for healthy diets, many "mid-lifers" are easing into their role of parenting with great strides. Many are advancing into older age healthier than previous generations. As with any age, thoughtful consideration and appropriate planning can make the joy of parenting the most rewarding career ever.
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