Should women be able to have children later in life?

The telegraph has recently reported that women could remain fertile indefinitely, after successful ovarian transplants has lead to births delaying the menopause, doctors have told a conference. A technique to remove pieces of ovary, store it for decades and then replace it with delicate surgery could effectively put a woman's menopause 'on ice', doctors said. The only thing preventing them from having babies into their old age would be their physical ability to carry a pregnancy, they said. The controversial notion would allow career women peace of mind with a fertility insurance policy so they can find a partner, settle down and become financially secure before starting a family. By delaying the menopause they could also avoid the increased risk of osteoporosis and heart disease that come with the end of their fertile life but may raise the risk of breast and womb cancer. A conference heard how more than 20 babies have been born worldwide to patients who either had their own ovarian tissue removed before treatment that would have left them infertile, and replaced afterwards, or twins where one donated tissue to the other. Most of the children have been conceived naturally without the need for IVF for drugs. Dr Sherman Silber, an American surgeon, has been involved in transplants for 11 women at St Luke’s Hospital in St Louis, Missouri, US. He said: "A woman born today has a 50 per cent chance of living to 100. That means they are going to be spending half of their lives post-menopause. “But you could have grafts removed as a young woman and then have the first replaced as you approach menopausal age. You could then put a slice back every decade. “Some women might want to go through the menopause, but others might not.” That would mean women would not have to “watch their body clocks”, he said, and would only be physically limited by their ability to carry a baby and give birth. The telegraph undertook a poll to decide ‘Should women be able to have a baby in later life?’ The answers from their readers where as follows: No - the natural body clock exists for a reason and it is not fair on the child. 67.39% (1,833 votes) Yes - there is no reason why mature women would not be excellent mothers. 32.61% (887 votes) Total Votes: 2,720 Article extracts: 9th July 2012 www.telgraph.co.uk

Older mums more prone to postnatal depression says study

Older mums who wait until after they have a career, are more likely to 'over-prepare' for their first-born and struggle when things don't go as planned, a study suggest; often leading to an increase in postnatal depression. The findings are of great significance in the UK, where an increasing number of women are choosing to delay becoming a mum until they are more financially secure.
Research leader Silje Marie Haga, from the University of Oslo, in Norway, said: 'There are some indications that older, first-time mums are vulnerable to postpartum depression, perhaps because they are used to being in control of their own lives: they have completed a long education and established a career before they have children.

'But you can’t control a baby; on the contrary, you have to be extremely flexible. 'Several of the women I interviewed said themselves that this contributed to the huge feeling of letdown when things did not turn out as they had planned.'

In the UK, there were 26,976 babies born to mothers of 40 and over in 2009, compared with 9,336 in 1989, according to the Office for National Statistics figures. The latest study analysed surveys from around 350 new mothers as well as in-depth interviews with 12 first-time mothers. It found 16.5 per cent reported suffering from depression for up to six months after giving birth.

Ms Haga said the interviews highlighted a number of risk factors apart from biological ones. 'It’s not the need for control in itself, but rather the failure to achieve specific expectations that can trigger a depression,' she said. 'In contrast, women who take a more relaxed approach to motherhood with more undefined expectations cope better with unexpected challenges.'

Other women struggled after the delivery left them 'feeling like a failure'. One new mother told Ms Haga she struggled after having an unplanned caesarean section: 'That wasn’t how I was supposed to have a baby. I was so tired and so disappointed, I was so sad,' she said.

'I hadn’t been able to give birth to my baby; someone had to do it for me.' 'In my study the women who had the greatest need for control often had the strongest wish to have a natural birth,' Ms Haga noted.

She added that difficulties with breast feeding could also trigger baby blues as there is a huge societal pressure to choose breast over bottle. Ms Haga said new mums needed both practical and emotional support - particularly from their partner - as well as an understanding that life can be exhausting for them.

It is common that three-four days after the birth women experience what can be referred to as postpartum blues, i.e. they cry very easily without quite knowing the reason. This can last up to a week, but in some cases it continues. If this is so, there may be talk of postpartum depression, which resembles other kinds of depression with feelings of hopelessness, sadness, exhaustion and sleep problems also when the child is asleep.

'These women are unable to enjoy having a baby. Being depressed at precisely this period is an extra emotional burden to bear because of expectations that you should be happy,' Ms Haga said.

She added that women are often reluctant to ask for help because they still think there is a stigma attached to depression. Ms Haga is now developing a web-based program with a mental health centre in Norway that will monitor pregnant and new mums from the 22nd week of pregnancy and up to six months after the birth.

They hope that the program will support women during this very sensitive phase and potentially prevent postpartum depression.

'Your forties is not the time to be thinking about getting pregnant' says Desperate housewife star

Desperate housewife star Marcia Cross began fertility treatment aged 44 and went on to give birth to twin daughters Eden and Savannah. But despite hailing her girls as 'a miracle', she has no illusions about having children later in life. When asked about being the 'poster girl' for older mothers, Marcia, who had a difficult pregnancy, revealed it is not a good idea.
She told Easy Living: 'Are you kidding? It's a miracle I have these two daughters. 'Your forties is not the time to be thinking about getting pregnant.' The 49-year-old, who looked stunning in a 1920's-themed shoot for the magazine, also revealed she began fertility treatment the day after her wedding to businessman Tom Mahoney - and didn't even go on honeymoon.

But while she became pregnant quickly, Marcia suffered from high blood pressure and was ordered to stay in bed in the last stages. She also developed pre-eclampsia and had to undergo an emergency C-Section.

The actress said:' I didn't have time to be scared. It all happened so quickly. But it worked out and I love being a mother. 'I like bringing the girls on set, but if I can't do that then the next day I feel I have to be uber-mum to make up for it. 'Then I'm exhausted and feel like I'm running in fumes. What I lack in energy, I have in wisdom.'

Marcia, who plays Bree Van de Kamp, was recently busy filming the last episodes of Desperate Housewives after eight seasons and will not be taking any acting roles in the near future so she can concentrate on motherhood - and eating. She said: 'I've had to watch my weight for the show and am looking forward to not having to think about it anymore.'

And despite turning 50 this year, Marcia's looks show little sign of waning. She credits her flawless skin to always removing her make-up and religiously wearing sun-screen. But she also revealed since having children, she rarely has time to exercise.

She doesn't however, rule out surgery. She said: 'We (on the set of Desperate Housewives) say we'll do anything as long as it doesn't involve a knife! 'I'd never say no to surgery in the future, because I feel like, as I get older, I'm going to face temptation more.' 'Turning 50 is huge... it's monumental. But not in terms of beauty. 'It's about recognising how precious time is.'

Article: 30th January 2012 www.dailymail.co.uk

Mothers over 40 in record baby boom

A baby boom among older women has trebled the number giving birth after their 40th birthday. Almost 27,000 babies were born to mothers over 40 last year, figures revealed yesterday. The unprecedented level is nearly three times the total of 20 years ago and up by 50 per cent over the past decade.
Britain now has one of the highest birth rates for older women in the world, with 3.8 per cent of all babies born to mothers over 40. Only Italy has a higher level in Europe. But the trend has led medical experts to warn that older women face greater risks of miscarriages and complications - with calls for the NHS to spend more on specialised services for those expecting children as they approach middle age. More and more Britons are delaying motherhood following the rise in women enjoying well-paid careers, as well as the growing need for both partners in a couple to have an income. An increasing number of live-in relationships also means many young women are uncertain they have the stability they need to raise a child.

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Oldest UK women to have IVF cancels treatment

A 59 year-old woman has backed out of IVF (in vitro fertilisation) treatment at the last minute, as she feels the risks at her age are too great. Susan Tollefsen said she was worried after she nearly died following ill-effects from her previous IVF-enabled birth.
'We've basically decided the risks are too great and I'm too old. My advice to older women wanting children is don't risk it', said Mrs Tollefsen, a retired teacher.

Mrs Tollefsen already has a daughter, Freya, conceived through IVF when she was 57. However, she had to travel to a Russian clinic for IVF using a donor egg after being refused treatment in the UK because of her age. A burst ulcer in her stomach after the birth nearly killed her.

'We want a sibling for Freya for when we are not around but we had to seriously reconsider it. The doctors didn't have any problems treating me but I know there are huge risks. I wish I was 35 again but I'm not - and I've got to realise that, however hard it is. I had hoped to set a precedent for older women but that's not going to happen.'

Peter Bowen-Simpkins, medical director of the London Women's Clinic in Harley Street, said: 'I would very strongly agree with the view that in general women over 50 should not have IVF treatments. While in some cases there are compelling reasons, I think it is unlikely we will see anyone else of 59 attempting IVF, and there are a lot of medical reasons they shouldn't.'

Michaela Aston of the pro-life charity Life, which offers counselling for women considering abortion and fertility treatment, said offering IVF to post-menopausal women was a deeply worrying development. 'Women of this age do not conceive naturally for a reason, we should be guided by Mother Nature on this.'



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