The BBC reports that "The number of women aged over 40 becoming pregnant is at a record level, figures from the Office for National Statistics show.
The conception rate for the over 40s in England and Wales rose by 6% between 2005 and 2006, and now stands at 12.2 pregnancies per 1,000 women.
The overall pregnancy rate rose by 3% over the same period, the ONS said.
But teenagers are having fewer babies, with a slight fall in pregnancies among 13 to 15-year-olds.
There were an estimated 866,800 conceptions in 2006, a rise of 25,000 from the previous year.
The most likely age for motherhood was 25 to 29, with a rate of 129 pregnancies for every 1,000 women in this age group.
Four out of five women who became pregnant went on to give birth.
More than half of the pregnancies happened outside marriage, although the figures only cover those where the parents were unmarried at the time of the birth, and both appeared on the birth certificate.
More women are putting off motherhood until their 40s, partly due to advances in fertility techniques which help those who are unable to conceive naturally at that point.
While they and their unborn babies do face slightly increased risks during pregnancy and childbirth, studies have suggested that they are just as able as younger mothers to look after children..."
The conception rate for the over 40s in England and Wales rose by 6% between 2005 and 2006, and now stands at 12.2 pregnancies per 1,000 women.
The overall pregnancy rate rose by 3% over the same period, the ONS said.
But teenagers are having fewer babies, with a slight fall in pregnancies among 13 to 15-year-olds.
There were an estimated 866,800 conceptions in 2006, a rise of 25,000 from the previous year.
The most likely age for motherhood was 25 to 29, with a rate of 129 pregnancies for every 1,000 women in this age group.
Four out of five women who became pregnant went on to give birth.
More than half of the pregnancies happened outside marriage, although the figures only cover those where the parents were unmarried at the time of the birth, and both appeared on the birth certificate.
More women are putting off motherhood until their 40s, partly due to advances in fertility techniques which help those who are unable to conceive naturally at that point.
While they and their unborn babies do face slightly increased risks during pregnancy and childbirth, studies have suggested that they are just as able as younger mothers to look after children..."
4 comments:
The society have changed drastically that more and more people getting married at more older age, no wonder they born their first baby after 40 years old.
Luckily they still can give birth due to the advanced technology and facility.
Great blog indeed, have a wonderful long weekend.
From your blogging friend coolingstar9
Thanks for your comments, Coolingstar9. The 40s are now the new 30s.
Maybe there is still hope for me! I thought I was finished after my divorce. But then I had a change of heart and now would like to have more children. I guess I just need to find a husband first! ha ha!
Cool blog. I am joining the feed!
Good luck to you, Sofia. And there is always a place for hope. Go for it! And and thanks for joining my feed. :)
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