Here’s some breaking news for you: Janet is pregnant!
GOTCHA!
No, not me, sorry to burst your bubble (that train left the station a long time ago).
The buzz is that Janet Jackson – who has just turned 50 – is expecting her first child.
Middle Aged Pregnancy – a Growing Trend!
Now I’m not sure if the rumours are true or not. But it does seem to be a growing trend – middle aged pregnancy!
There are many reasons why women are having children later in life than ever before. Waiting to start a family might be a conscious decision (eg wanting to be financially secure, travel, establish a career), or simply the way life turns out (eg when you haven’t met the right partner, or there are fertility issues). Although we all know female fertility decreases with age, it does seem that our longer life expectancy, and improved health and nutrition, have made middle aged pregnancy a much more viable option than it was in the past.
The Statistics on Middle Aged Pregnancy
In fact, statistics show that there are now more women in their 40’s giving birth than teenagers!
Famous examples of older first-time mums (showing us how good middle aged pregnancy can look) include Halle Berry, Salma Hayek, Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, Marcia Cross, Geena Davis, and Molly Ringwald.
Even Australia’s own Nicole Kidman gave birth to her first child at age 41, while the stylish Sonia Kruger welcomed her first baby last year, when she was 49. So it seems middle aged women having babies is not such an anomaly after all. Although personally, I can’t even begin to imagine what it would be like to have a baby now – with a 22 year old son and 19 year old daughter!
This is much more likely but not for a few years yet I hope!
But bearing this information in mind, I just might have to re-think what I post on this here blog 😉 . Although *I* might be fashioning a new life now the kids are grown, and enjoying travel, building my business, lmore freedom, and all the other joys of the half empty nest, that isn’t necessarily the case for *all* middle aged women.
So I must remember to be more inclusive of those women who may very well be in their forties, but are still in the thick of the school run – or even experiencing pregnancy, nappies and night-time feedings!
How old were you when you had your first baby? How would you feel about a middle aged pregnancy if it happened to you?!
Interesting post! Something I have contemplated thinking about not having children. I’m 35 this year… and I’m tired now! But the bonuses if I did have a baby in my forties are financial stability, I have travelled and have a good career. I am jealous of those who are ‘free’ now though .. I do think what kind of health will I be like in my 60s when the kid is 20 or 70 if you are starting at 50? Not sure how I feel about that.
I’m no expert Ashleigh but I reckon don’t have them unless you really want to. It’s a lifetime commitment after all! I was 27 and almost 30 when I had my two, and wouldn’t change a thing 🙂
I am almost 40, and would adore having another baby, but I won’t. I was 27 when I had Aspen, 30 with April and 33 with Adam. I don’t think my body would cope, my back and hips were killing me with Adam, it didn’t help that I had a heart condition either. If my heart was up to it and I had loads of money so I could hire a housecleaner and add an extra bedroom on the house, then I would be happy to be 40 and pregnant. Oh and a chef, I will hire a chef as well, and maybe someone to drive the other kids to school incase I am busy feeding the baby.
I think you’ve hit on the secret to having kids later in life Mackenzie! 😉
I was 34 when I had my daughter and that seemed right for me, I couldn’t imagine having another one now at 37 or even later!
Yup I felt much the same. We did have one scare just after we moved into our tiny house and I’d gone back to work … so the timing would have been REALLY bad … but it was just a false alarm 😉
I was 25 and 27 when my two boys were born- I am grateful now that I had my babies early as I had to have a radical hysterectomy at age 31 and so now cannot have children. My twin sister is now expecting her first baby so it will be great to get some newborn snuggles but I still get sleepless nights with my 3 year old!
Sounds like it worked out perfectly for you in the end. I wondered if I would mourn the end of my potential childbearing years with the hysterectomy, but I didn’t – I think I did my grieving when Miss 19 was a bub, because I was pretty sure she would be our last one.
I was never meant to have children (car accident injuries) So it was a mighty surprised to be unformed by a doctor when I was 19, that I was pregnant.
I was actually 20 when I had my baby.
My eldest is 27 this year then I’ll have a 25 year old and a 21 year old. I’ve been able, due to having them younger, grow up with them, party with them without getting exhausted. Also to adapt and keep up with music, fads etc.
They have all flown the nest, 1 of my children is famous and the other 2 are normal but have really great positions in the work field.
And I’m able to go on lots of holidays now without having to worry if all the activities are suitable for children.
Oh didn’t answer the question
A BIG NO to having children in my 40’s or later.
Yep I’m glad we did it the way we did.
I can’t believe how old your kids are, I remember when the last one was born!!! x
I just co-hosted a baby shower for a good friend who is 39. She has a 16 year old daughter and 12 year old stepdaughter, and they’re expecting a boy at the end of next month. More power to her, but I sure couldn’t have done it!
Yes, don’t know if I could either … but I always said if it happened to us, I would definitely go ahead with the pregnancy and make it work x
I was 29 with my first and 36 with my fifth. I felt ancient at the time but it seems I wasn’t. I was older than most of my last child’s friend’s parents but that was nineteen years ago so I guess it may not be the same now.
I think the school you send your kids to, can also affect your perspective. When our kids were at a private school, we were some of the youngest parents. When they went to state school, we were definitely older. Seems you have to be older and more financially settled before having kids to send them to a private school.