Pregnant Women Over 50 'Do Pretty Well,' Study Finds

www.foxnews.com:

The average age of women becoming mothers has risen in the United States, and in the last 20 years, a few women have even entered motherhood in their 60s.

By implanting embryos produced by in-vitro fertilization using egg cells donated by younger women, women who have passed menopause can become pregnant and give birth.

Read the whole story: www.foxnews.com

Comments

[orangerx]

08:41 PM on 02/05/2012

My wife is almost 50, and we are close to being empty-nesters. Every time I feel like getting punched, I just wink at her and suggest that we have another child.

[Rita at Goldivas]

08:57 PM on 02/04/2012

I think the ideal age to have children is 25-35. Before 25, you may not be emotionally mature enough to be a great parent. After 35, you're ok for a while, but you need your wits about you when your kids are teenagers and young adults. So, if you're 70 when they're 15 or 20, that's not the ideal situation.

[playflute2]

03:09 PM on 02/05/2012

So, are you suggesting, Rita, that after 70 a person no longer has their wits about them. I know a lot of 70-year olds that would debate that issue with you.
My son was born when I was 40--he is now 27--given your logic, since I was over 35, I should have had a hard time dealing with his teenage years. Sure he made me crazy on some days (I'm sure I returned the favor), but we got through them quite well and he is now a productive, contributing adult and an amazing artist.
The trouble with broad sweeping generalizations is that they are just that: broad sweeping generalizations.

[Rita at Goldivas]

03:54 PM on 02/05/2012

40 isn't that far outside the 25-35 range, but 50 is a different story. I could have chosen different words, I didn't really mean 70 year-olds don't have their wits about them, but I do think most 70- year-olds would rather not be dealing with a 15 or 20 year-old, it's maybe a little intense. Not to mention, most 15 or 20 year-olds would probably prefer younger parents.

[scorpio82]

02:33 PM on 02/04/2012

you guys are so dumb for saying women after 50 are selfish. what is a woman hasn't found a good partner? my boyfriends mother is now late 70s had my bf at 48. she was very successful in her career, wrote several books and professor at a prestigious university. yes she has had long term relationships but it made it difficult to have a family as her partners were preofessional too and career minded. everybodys life and destiny are different. do not judge. let those women live theire own life. why have kids young, when you are poor, uneducated and probably married the first person you ever kissed! what a boring life.

[Scholastica8]

12:46 PM on 02/04/2012

The focus needs to change about older mothers. It needs to cease to be "about" the mother and become "about" the future of the unborn child.

I was an only child born late. Both parents were athletes and remained very fit into their 60s. However, at 14, I understood that my plans would be affected by their age. At 17, I I chose to remain at home and attend a nearby university. Why? Both parents had vision problems. I could have gotten financial aid for my schooling, but they had no money to replace the help that I gave them day in and day out.... Writing a check, Reading a food label.

When I graduated things were OK, but I knew that odds were high that major health issues would come within 5 years or so; I passed on graduate school. In my 20s and 30s when friends were focusing on career and relationships, I was a care-giver.

People like to say that 60 is the new 40. We like to think it is. Age-related, genetic ailments are showing up right on time - glaucoma, for example. 5% of Americans age 60 have age-related cognitive issues. By age 80, it's up to 25%.

All of these issues will be setting in right when the child will be trying to get an education, advanced degrees, establish a career, start a family. It is not good timing.

[RhiannonRings]

10:42 AM on 02/04/2012

My folks were in their early 40s when they had me. They always seemed so old to me. But, this was the 1960s, and 40 was "older" then than it is now I suppose. But still....

[joebikerchef]

07:58 AM on 02/04/2012

Yeah, I want to be the parent that dies of old age when my kid is in highschool

[allerleirauh]

06:59 AM on 02/04/2012

I don't understand the need to carry to term a baby that is not genetically yours. Why not just adopt?

[Kjbem2929]

02:12 AM on 02/04/2012

Everyone who posted negative comment should consider that men well into to their 60s father children and no one says that they are being selfish or their children shouldn't have to take care of them but if a women can or does have a child atbthe same age is being selfish. It's none of your business. And older parents are in usually in a better finical and mature situation to set up and educate their child for success and no be a burden. Just because you chose not to have a life when you were young don't expect everyone esle to see things your way it's not your life or body

[jantuoferm]

07:02 AM on 02/04/2012

OK--men of that age are selfish too! Happy now?? The point is---these parents will die while the children are relatively young and grandchildren will probably never know the grandparents.

[thisNewFoundLand]

07:32 AM on 02/04/2012

...so let's say, just for the sake of discussion, that my parents died while i was quite young, and i never knew my grand-parents. Are you implying that my life is somehow lacking in meaning or value?!

[janroc67]

01:46 AM on 02/04/2012

I'm sorry, but I believe you need to have your kids sooner in life so they have you for many years....especially today. You will be 70 when your kid is only 20 and they still need you for many more years. We all wish we could have our parents forever but losing them so young is a lot harder.

[Marvin Matosky]

01:32 AM on 02/04/2012

sure the mothers will be fine but what about the babies..birth defects from old people havin kids

[heavenhelpus2222]

12:21 AM on 02/04/2012

I had all my kids in my 20's and now they are all grown . No way would I want kids now at 47 ......I just have fun !

[probo]

11:11 AM on 02/04/2012

X2

[Coyote Blond]

10:59 PM on 02/03/2012

So you're dead when they turn ten. Sounds like a grand idea.

[thewestyard]

10:05 PM on 02/03/2012

this the baby first spoken word see you for the first time grand mom

[petpetdonna]

07:33 PM on 02/03/2012

By implanting embryos produced by in-vitro fertilization using egg cells donated by younger women, women who have passed menopause can become pregnant and give birth.

The question is WHY?
You women out there that think the greatest thing you can contribute to mankind is having children need to rethink your position.

[smoknjoe]

10:11 PM on 02/03/2012

Many women WANT children. Just because a few don't feel that it is neccessary doesn't mean they speak for all women. Children are a blessing. You relive your childhood through their eyes and remember what is truly important in life. Women now have a chance to have a career and other accomplishments before they have children. Later in life, many of these women feel they missed something by not having children. Now they can do both.

[Annie Sally]

11:16 PM on 02/03/2012

You just made the women sound selfish, smoknjoe. You relive your childhood through their eyes - that's a really, really selfish reason

[devinegirls3]

04:00 AM on 02/04/2012

LOL...will they have a nanny too?

[Newly Minted]

07:13 PM on 02/03/2012

You people obviously don't realize that the 40 somethings are the second biggest group to have "surprise babies," behind the teenagers. Once upon a time, the life expectancy was about 40. Now, it's closer to twice that. It should be no surprise that with better medical care comes the possibility of easily having kids later in life.

As for "running after tots" I wouldn't have the patience to do that at 20 (when I had the time of my life being single). I do now at 40+.

[birdiesbout]

09:11 PM on 02/03/2012

You may have the patience to do it now but do you have the stamina? My 30-something "children" are exhausted from running after their kids. When hubs and I visit, we are exhausted after 1 day. No way could we do that day in, day out and ever feel well.

[Rita at Goldivas]

08:51 PM on 02/04/2012

40 isn't the same as 50 or 60.