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Should a 60-year old woman still actively pursue having a child at her advanced age?
In 2007, Frieda Birnbaum gave birth to twin boys at Hackensack University Medical Center. She conceived her babies with the help of an in-vitro fertilization clinic in South Africa. She was cited as the oldest American woman to give birth to twins. If you had unsuccessfully tried during your younger years to become pregnant and the wish for a child remained, would you consider having a child this late in life if you thought you might have your last chance of conceiving?
Source: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,275952,00.html
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Source: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,275952,00.html
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November 04, 2009 01:22 AM
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No. And I speak on this with authority.
My mother-in-law, age 60, had a baby. This was about 2 years ago. I kid you not.
The woman went through menopause back in 1996 or so. So verify's my husband--her son--and my father-in-law (this woman's ex-husband). But she re-married a rich doctor (her dream!) a few years ago, got bored, and wanted a baby. They obviously had to go through illegal fertility treatments to make this happen....which, hey, they could because this guy's a doctor!
My other piece of wisdom on this matter comes from being someone who's dealt with infertility. I went through YEARS of it, and at many points thought it might be a lifelong problem.
So, I absolutely say NO. By the time you hit menopause, you should take that as nature's way of telling you that you're done. Not only is it a HUGE health risk to you and the baby, but it's also not fair to that poor kid.
I've watched a baby, and then toddler, being raised by parents in their 60s (the doctor's a bit older!). They don't play games. They don't chase him. They don't take him out into nature. He's just a quiet, shy little 2 year-old boy who barely moves around at all. He doesn't get why other kids like to play so much. And he still drinks from a formula bottle (that has nothing to do with age, I just thought I needed to complain...).
His parents can't keep up, and when he's 10 years old, both of his parents will be in their 70s.
When he's in college, his parents will be in their 80s.
And it's a safe bet his parents will never be there for him beyond age 40, even if they're around all through his school years.
As it is, we've had to make "plans" for where this little boy can go....if the worst happens. It'll be to us. We'll be his parents.
They may have money and love, but they don't have energy or time. Kids aren't baby dolls or even cats that you can love and hold for a few years and then not worry about after that. Now, I love that little boy. And I know they love him too, so it's hard for me to call him a mistake.
...But...they never, ever should've done it. 60 is too old. And nature's on my side here.
My mother-in-law, age 60, had a baby. This was about 2 years ago. I kid you not.
The woman went through menopause back in 1996 or so. So verify's my husband--her son--and my father-in-law (this woman's ex-husband). But she re-married a rich doctor (her dream!) a few years ago, got bored, and wanted a baby. They obviously had to go through illegal fertility treatments to make this happen....which, hey, they could because this guy's a doctor!
My other piece of wisdom on this matter comes from being someone who's dealt with infertility. I went through YEARS of it, and at many points thought it might be a lifelong problem.
So, I absolutely say NO. By the time you hit menopause, you should take that as nature's way of telling you that you're done. Not only is it a HUGE health risk to you and the baby, but it's also not fair to that poor kid.
I've watched a baby, and then toddler, being raised by parents in their 60s (the doctor's a bit older!). They don't play games. They don't chase him. They don't take him out into nature. He's just a quiet, shy little 2 year-old boy who barely moves around at all. He doesn't get why other kids like to play so much. And he still drinks from a formula bottle (that has nothing to do with age, I just thought I needed to complain...).
His parents can't keep up, and when he's 10 years old, both of his parents will be in their 70s.
When he's in college, his parents will be in their 80s.
And it's a safe bet his parents will never be there for him beyond age 40, even if they're around all through his school years.
As it is, we've had to make "plans" for where this little boy can go....if the worst happens. It'll be to us. We'll be his parents.
They may have money and love, but they don't have energy or time. Kids aren't baby dolls or even cats that you can love and hold for a few years and then not worry about after that. Now, I love that little boy. And I know they love him too, so it's hard for me to call him a mistake.
...But...they never, ever should've done it. 60 is too old. And nature's on my side here.
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November 03, 2009 11:53 PM
http://living.health.com/2009/05/18/health-risks-mid-life-pregnancy/5/ Helpful Answer? (0)
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No.
Though I understand the sentiment, most every woman should experience motherhood, having children late in life is not fair to the child.
1. Chances are you are not going to live nearly as long into the child's life span.
2. There are extremely higher risks associated with pregnancies even over 40, let alone 60, to both the baby and the mother. These include increased risk of cancer, heart problems, blood clots, increased risk of diabetes and various other health issues.. as for the baby...
Quote-----------
"Babies born to over-40 women like Cohen are not only more likely to be born early but also more likely to have birth defects. One Columbia University study found that 2.9% of women older than 40 have babies with birth defects, compared with 1.7% of all women younger than 35. Of these, cardiac issues are the most common: Another study found that heart defects were four times more common in infants of women over 40, compared with those age 20 to 24."
End quote-----------
I think women at that age are better off adopting. There are enough children in orphanages today to give every 60 year old women 5 at least :P (No that is not an actual statistic it was a guess)
This link has a video that covers the risks well.
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=3886653
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Though I understand the sentiment, most every woman should experience motherhood, having children late in life is not fair to the child.
1. Chances are you are not going to live nearly as long into the child's life span.
2. There are extremely higher risks associated with pregnancies even over 40, let alone 60, to both the baby and the mother. These include increased risk of cancer, heart problems, blood clots, increased risk of diabetes and various other health issues.. as for the baby...
Quote-----------
"Babies born to over-40 women like Cohen are not only more likely to be born early but also more likely to have birth defects. One Columbia University study found that 2.9% of women older than 40 have babies with birth defects, compared with 1.7% of all women younger than 35. Of these, cardiac issues are the most common: Another study found that heart defects were four times more common in infants of women over 40, compared with those age 20 to 24."
End quote-----------
I think women at that age are better off adopting. There are enough children in orphanages today to give every 60 year old women 5 at least :P (No that is not an actual statistic it was a guess)
This link has a video that covers the risks well.
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=3886653
http://living.health.com/2009/05/18/health-risks-mid-life-pregnancy/5/ Helpful Answer?
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November 07, 2009 01:03 PM
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Oh gosh no this is far to late to have a child. Babies should be born to parents who can take the time to teach them right from wrong and who can chase them, and sit and play with them. I would never have one on purpose at my age, but I am enjoying my grand kids.
My ex and his girlfriend just had a baby this past summer they are in their mid forties even this is much to old to have a baby around here. My ex will be in his 6o's when this baby is in those awkward teen years, (while I am kind of chuckling on the inside), and I can only image what stuff that child will have because his parents are going to be to tired to chase him. meanwhile the kids I had with him are almost grown.
I am 43 and my baby is almost 18, but I watch my grandchildren who are young and they tire me out! After watching my 2 yr old grandson I need a nap or if I have him the whole 8 hours his mom works I take a nap when he does.
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My ex and his girlfriend just had a baby this past summer they are in their mid forties even this is much to old to have a baby around here. My ex will be in his 6o's when this baby is in those awkward teen years, (while I am kind of chuckling on the inside), and I can only image what stuff that child will have because his parents are going to be to tired to chase him. meanwhile the kids I had with him are almost grown.
I am 43 and my baby is almost 18, but I watch my grandchildren who are young and they tire me out! After watching my 2 yr old grandson I need a nap or if I have him the whole 8 hours his mom works I take a nap when he does.
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