If you’re around age 40 and still trying to get pregnant – take hope in the fact that women who have babies in their 40s have longer lives! The benefits of late motherhood are physical, social, and emotional.
First, a quip about hope from writer Elizabeth Gilbert:
“The inability to open up to hope is what blocks trust, and blocked trust is the reason for blighted dreams.”
If you’re coping with infertility – don’t give up hope! Hope for your own pregnancy, hope for a family that may not develop the way you expect or plan, and hope that your dreams will come true. If you’re looking at late motherhood, let this scientific research give you hope. And, click on Rewinding Your Biological Clock: Motherhood Late in Life: Options, Issues, and Emotions by Richard Paulson and Judith Sachs for more in-depth info on having a baby in your 40s.
Having a Baby in Your 40s Equals a Longer Life
According to the University of Utah, women how have babies naturally in the 40s or 50s tend to live longer than other women (it may be different for women coping with infertility and using in vitro fertilization or other solutions for infertility).
“If women in your family give birth at older ages, you may well have a chance of living longer than you would otherwise,” says the study’s lead author, Ken Smith, a professor of family and consumer studies at the University of Utah. “If you have a female relative who had children after age 45, then there may be some genetic benefit in your family that will enhance your longevity.”
Heredity – far more than environmental factors – plays a role in prolonged fertility and longer lifespans.
Having a baby after age 45?! This study shows that women who had “late fertility” – a birth at age 45 or older – were 14 to 17% less likely to die during any year after age 50 than women who did not deliver a child after age 40. Smith says scientists believe genes account for up to 25% of differences in longevity.
Other studies found that late menopause also is associated with women having prolonged fertility and longevity. So the later your menopause is, the longer you may live! And the more chances you have to conceive a baby (if you’re coping with unknown infertility, or are trying other ways to get pregnant).
Other Benefits of Late Motherhood
- Greater financial security
- Emotional and social stability
- Greater psychological well-being
- More stable marriage and other relationships
- Stable job or career
What do you think of late motherhood, or having a baby in your 40s? I think I’d be a much, much better mom now when I was in my 20s or 30s! I’m 39, and trying in vitro fertilization (IVF) next month. As a 40 year old woman having a baby, I’m calmer, healthier, and more centered than I was even just a couple years ago. I’m a big fan of late motherhood.
Source of this research about living longer if you have a baby in your 40s: Late Motherhood Boosts Family Lifespan from the University of Utah. May 4, 2009. This study will be published in the Journal of Gerontology: Biological Sciences.
~ Resources for Getting Pregnant & Fertility ~
If you're trying to conceive a baby, learn about getting pregnant easily and naturally.
Are you or your partner coping with low fertility levels? Try FertilAid for Women or FertilAid for Men.
And don't forget about vitamins and minerals, which are essential to a healthy pregnancy! Make sure you're taking the right Pregnancy Plus Prenatal Vitamins.
I read that research and “older” literally meant over 45 as far as I could see. Not over 40, over 45.
Regardless, I had my first and only child at 42 with no assistance which is not unusual in my family.
Pregnancy in your 40’s brings with it lots of risk in terms of baby health as well as issues like gestational diabetes. Also the pressure to deliver by casaer is significant and even more so in the US.
I have to say I disagree with your listed benefits. Being older does not mean you have any of these things, let alone all of them.
I would concede that you are probably more confident about motherhood and more independent in your views about it.
One big thing that you are forgetting is that menopause is going to hit before your child has even reached puberty. You might be losing patience when you really really need it.
But of course it might be be better than late-30s mothers whose children are going thru puberty of course!
Or mid-30s dealing with teenagers.
I say early 30s or early 40s are the best timing for motherhood and menopause!
Good luck!
Thanks for your feedback, hot-flash; you’re right, I hadn’t thought of the menopause and puberty issues.
I recently wrote an article tentatively titled “The Magic of Menopause” for Health magazine, about the benefits of menopause for some women. I don’t know what issue it’ll be in, but if you see it, I’d love your feedback!
Menopause, late motherhood, having a baby after age 40 is different for every woman, I think. The benefits of late motherhood that I listed are all true for me — except for “more stable job or career.” As a freelance writer, I’m less stable than ever! But, I’m married to a man with a stable career (more or less)…so that helps.
I’m so curious: did you deliberately wait until age 42 to have a baby? And, did it take you long to conceive?
Thanks again for your comment, and I hope I see you in cyberspace….
Laurie
Hi Laurie
Just came upon your article…yah! some benefits to having a baby after 45!
I got pregnant naturally at 45 and gave birth NATURALLY AT HOME IN THE WATER to my beautiful baby girl (I already had two boys who were 8 and 11 at teh time) at the ripe young age AGE OF 46 YEARS!
I am glad I will live longer want to see my sweet pea growing up!
I am also the founder of Bellydance For Birth – The Al Musa Method…you can go to my website at
http://www.bellydanceforbirth.com
I relased a DVD one year after my daughter was born in september 2009, which has lots of great bellydance birth exercises as well as a film of my homebirth at 46…
Great to inspire older mums!
thanks
maha
Maha,
Thanks for your comment. I don’t normally allow links in the comments section, but yours was too good to resist
Congratulations on giving birth to boys at 46 years old…wow! You must be very fit and healthy. You’re an inspiration!
Blessings,
Laurie
Thanks Laurie for your message…I think the biggest key to fertility for me and to be able to get pregnant naturally at 45 was being SUGAR FREE and being v strict with it..I was on the LOW GI diet for 4 1/2 years prior to this conception and lost 18 kilos after the births of my boys (when they were 4 and 7 I went on the diet) and never felt better! It helped balance out hormones, moods and general well being..also took herbs and exercised..my partner was 44 at the time and our daughter is his first….I also truly beleive that the bellydance and deep connection to femininty really helped..as well as being in love with my man!!
When I was 28-30 years I had PCOS and was told I would never conceive naturally..I have conceived 3 beautiful chn ( whilst I have been 33, 37 and 45 years of age) all natural births..these words (and NEVER is a life sentence and DR’s should not use it!) actually motivated me to get healthy (nutrition) give up smoking, drinking etc – I believe the language we use around infertility has to be POSITIVE bec the power of mind/belief in one s self is all connected…
love to you
xx
Hi there,
I found this an extremely interesting read. I am 47. I have not had children. I know my biological clock has started to miss ticks here and there, but I can’t help thinking about what a great Mom I would be at this point in my life. The article actually made me smile. Thank you!
Diane,
Thanks for your comment…I’m glad the article made you smile. And I think that a woman in her 40s would make a GREAT mom for lots of different reasons.
Laurie
You all have inspired me greatly!! Thank you. I am 45 year old single working mom. I have a beautiful 11 year old daughter who I adore. I am now in a relationship with a (younger) man and we have discussed the idea of having children. I ALWAYS wanted to have more children but the right guy had not come around…until now.
I spoke to my doctor and he basically said the exact same things you stated in your article Lawire PK. He said I am a young 45 year old; we live longer and yes there are risks and some challenges but there are plenty of women in my position today having children. Wow…I am so excited about the fact this may happen. Love to you all!! DC
DC,
Thanks for your lovely message — it’s so great to hear from you! I will send positive healthy pregnancy vibes your way, and I sure hope you keep me updated…
Take care,
Laurie
I just find out that I am going to have a baby at the age of 46 I can not believe it and we was not trying I lose weight and like a blessing it happen,we did tried couple years ago and maybe a little last year I pray I can carry my little one
Congratulations, Mattie — I’m so happy to hear that you’re pregnant and having a baby in your 40s! That’s very exciting.
My thoughts and prayers are with you, that you have a healthy pregnancy and safe delivery.
If you have the time and energy, I’d love to know how things are going!
Blessings,
Laurie