Editorial | As women give birth later in life, society will have to adapt
We must consider how to respond to more women giving birth in their 40s and 50s, and how best to support these new mothers
The couple used assisted reproduction to fulfil their dream of a sibling for a daughter born when Chan was 53. A part-time Muay Thai coach for children, Chan credits modern medicine for making the birth possible at her age.
Despite concerns about the risks, people are living longer and having babies later. Medical science helps them navigate their way through arguments for and against. On the positive side, these include the likelihood of more emotional and financial readiness, more life experience to prepare for parenting challenges and time to prioritise career and other goals before committing to a family.
On the negative side, there are increased health risks to mother and child, the physical demands of parenting, and an age gap that raises questions about the mother’s longevity and concerns about the loss of a parent at an early age. In the latter regard, there are studies showing a correlation between older mothers and a longer lifespan, but delaying childbirth does not necessarily lead to a longer life. Rather, a healthy pregnancy at a later age might reflect slower ageing and general good health, and an older new mother might prioritise a healthy lifestyle. Fertility still declines with age, and women in their 20s and 30s still have peak fertility.
Research might identify genes that influence both reproductive fitness and the ageing process. That could prove a decisive factor for would-be older parents. Meanwhile, some doctors still consider the risks so great they are not worth taking.
A question ultimately could be whether society has to adapt to a trend of women having babies later in life. That includes counselling about the risks to mother and baby, whether they can be minimised and the right kind of ongoing support.