Highlights:
- The age for having a first child is increasing in most developed countries
- Giving birth later can provide a more stable environment and financial comfort
- There are health risks for both women and men
- After the age of 35, pregnancy can be more difficult
Should we take the risk of becoming parents at an older age?
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More and more couples around the world, including in the United Kingdom, are making this decision. The trend over the past few decades is that the average age at which women become mothers for the first time is slowly but steadily increasing. Getting pregnant and giving birth after the age of 40 is no longer a taboo.
Late motherhood has its undeniable advantages, but it also carries certain health risks for the mother and for the child’s development. Still, it is a fact that a large number of “late mothers” have completely healthy children.
There is no single right strategy when it comes to deciding the right time to become parents.
But it is important to be informed about both the benefits and the risks, in order to make the safest decision for ourselves and for our partner!
The number of women giving birth later is increasing
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There’s no need to delve into statistics — a simple glance around clearly shows that more and more women are giving birth after the age of 35.
In the United Kingdom, the average age for having a first child was 27.7 years in 1990. By 2020, this age had increased to 30.7 (according to data from the National Institute of Statistics).
Globally, the average is around 28 years (1), being higher in countries with stronger economies and lower in developing countries. Currently, in some European countries, it even exceeds 30 years — for example, in Ireland and Spain, it is 32.1 years.
Overall, in different regions of the world, the average age for having a first child varies — sometimes increasing gradually, other times more sharply. Nevertheless, the trend of postponing parenthood to a more mature stage of life is widespread and holds significant social importance.
The advantages of giving birth later in life
Why are more and more people waiting to become parents?
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- For better financial stability
- For more stable relationships with their partners
- For greater awareness and clarity when making decisions
We begin with money not because it’s the most important thing, but because it’s one of the most obvious factors that lead someone to delay having a child. Caring for another family member also requires financial resources. That’s why many people feel more secure if they first finish their studies, find a stable job, and build a solid financial foundation to meet their child’s needs.
Stability in personal relationships also motivates many people to believe it’s better not to rush into having a child before the age of 30.
In the early years of adulthood, we’re often more emotionally unstable, unpredictable, and less self-aware. Many young relationships end for various reasons, including the growing number of divorces. In this context, postponing the decision to have children seems more than logical and, in a way, reasonable. A secure relationship, built on shared values and trust and proven over time, is undoubtedly a better foundation for welcoming a new life together.
From a purely human and personal perspective, delaying the birth of a child can also have advantages.
At 35 and older, we’ve usually gone through various crises and become more confident and balanced.
In short — we’ve reached maturity. That’s when we’re ready to make a conscious decision to have a child and be a dedicated parent.
The experience of many mothers and fathers who had their first child at a very young age and a second one later in life speaks clearly. You’ll often hear them say that when the younger child came, they were more prepared, more aware, and experienced a very different kind of happiness.
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Late motherhood also involves risks
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We can’t ignore the topic of the increased risk of complications when a woman decides to have a child after the age of 35.
- Harder to conceive
- Increased risk of miscarriage
- Higher risk of birth defects in the baby
- Greater risk of gestational diabetes.
As already mentioned, many people have completely healthy children born after the age of 35 — even after 40. So, a later pregnancy shouldn’t make you panic or let your worries overwhelm your thoughts.
It is true that after 35, the risks for the baby increase — but risk itself is not a sentence.
As with any pregnancy, the most important thing in a later pregnancy is to receive proper medical care from the very beginning.
Consult your doctor about all the necessary tests during the different stages of pregnancy. Establish healthy habits — ideally even before you start trying to have a baby. In the months before conception, it is strongly recommended that both the woman and the man do not smoke, avoid alcohol, maintain an active lifestyle, and eat a varied diet.
Stay informed through your doctor about all the necessary tests at each stage of pregnancy. Build healthy habits early — ideally even before trying to conceive. In the months leading up to conception, it’s strongly recommended that both partners avoid smoking, stay away from alcohol, lead a physically active lifestyle, and eat a well-balanced diet.
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Is it difficult to get pregnant after the age of 35 – what do we need to know?
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It is often said that for women, conception becomes much more difficult with age, while men can become fathers at any age. This is partially true, but there are also important details to consider.
A woman’s fertility actually starts to decline in her early 30s. While a woman in her 20s has a 25–30% chance of getting pregnant during each ovulation, at age 40 her chances drop to just 5%. (2)
For men, the decline in fertility is not as abrupt, but age still brings significant changes. An older father’s age is associated with increased risks of the baby being born underweight, as well as other complications after birth. (3) Some studies also link advanced paternal age to a higher incidence of chromosomal abnormalities or congenital heart defects. (4) It’s important to note that these risks are not drastically increased. Older couples who want to have children should not be excessively alarmed.
However, conceiving after the age of 35 is often more difficult. Your chances of natural conception are much higher if you understand your ovulation cycle.
This is where the Oview at-home ovulation test is an invaluable aid.
Each Oview pack includes five test strips, and the result is over 99% accurate. This way, you can confidently pinpoint the right time to conceive in each cycle — a huge advantage if you’re racing against the clock to have a child later in life.
After trying to conceive, turn to thePresto early pregnancy test. If you’ve used a standard pregnancy test before, you know you usually must wait for a missed period to get results. With Presto, you can find out if you’re pregnant as early as the seventh day after sexual contact. The pack also includes a second test strip, so you can repeat the test in case of a delayed period and confirm the result.
Late motherhood is a personal decision!
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Nature has given us a very wide age range in which it is possible to become parents.
When should we have a child — earlier or later? It’s best to remove the word “should” from this sentence and trust yourself, while also staying informed about the advantages and risks of each option.
Despite some risks, late motherhood is not a sentence — just as early motherhood doesn’t guarantee a perfect pregnancy. Regardless of the parents’ age, the most important thing is to approach the journey with responsibility, ensuring timely access to quality medical care, undergoing all necessary tests, and living a healthy lifestyle.
Sources:
1 – https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/average-age-of-having-first-child-by-country
2 – https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/age-and-fertility
4 – https://www.parents.com/should-there-be-a-cut-off-age-for-when-men-become-fathers-8783471
