Later Life Motherhood: The Pros & Cons

March 18, 2015

It’s not uncommon to find mothers who are not so young getting pregnant these days. A combination of lifestyle choice, work and availability of fertility treatments are responsible for this. However, there are both pros and cons to this. Read on to understand them.

Pros

More Mature: Women who embrace motherhood later in life have a higher maturity level and are more open and informed in their choices and views. Mommies of this age will focus more on the well-being of their kids and have a higher level of responsibility.
Less Chances Of Breast Cancer: Women who give birth later in life and breastfeed in their later years have a lower chance of getting breast cancer.
You Will Be More Aware: Once you are pregnant after 40, your doctor will closely monitor your pregnancy from the beginning. Your and the baby’s progress will be checked on each step of the journey, making it easier to spot anything right at the beginning.
More Patient: Being a mommy later in life means you will be more calm and patient. By now, you will know how to handle a situation with a calm head and make the best out of it.

Cons

Less Chances Of Conception: Once you hit your 40s, your chances of getting pregnant slim down significantly. Even though your eggs may be intact, your fertility levels drop once you hit 35. As you enter your 40s, your hormonal fluctuations further bring down these levels.
Increase In Risk Factors: Women between the ages of 40 to 44 have a higher chance of not becoming pregnant. In case the pregnancy does happen, there is a 34 percent chance of miscarriage, as compared to a younger woman. Also, once you hit 40, there is a 1 in 106 chance of Down’s syndrome.
More Tired: Being a mother will require you to run after your little one, but age can be a spoilsport, as it makes you feel more tired. With your energy reserves depleting, you may find it difficult to keep up with the demands of your baby. (Related Article: 8 Energizing Ways To Combat Fatigue)