The advantages of being an older mum

We all know the problems about waiting to have a baby. You're less likely to be fertile if you're too far on the wrong side of 35, fertility treatment isn't as successful if you need it and you're at greater risk of having a miscarriage. A lot is made of that fact that you may find pregnancy physically more demanding than a younger woman, and that you will get more tired. It all sounds distinctly gloomy, so why do statistics show that more and more women are having children later rather than sooner?

In fact, there are some clear advantages for older mothers and their children. Women who wait to get pregnant are often more settled both financially and emotionally. They've often achieved what they want to in their careers and have lived a little. They are less likely to feel the need for an exciting social life or to resent the restraints of life with a baby or small child.

They may have more time for their children, and more patience, and the children of older parents can benefit greatly from this. It's true that physically they may find life with a baby tough, but older mothers are often able to adapt to this. In comparison to their teenage counterparts at the other end of the motherhood age scale, they tend to take better care of themselves, eating more healthily and taking exercise.

Whatever our views on older motherhood, more and more of us are having children later for a variety of reasons, from wanting to achieve things in our careers to waiting for the right partner. There's a great website for older mothers mothers35plus which anyone who wants to know more about the subject should have a look at.