Older mums under attack

New figures released by the Office of National  Statistics show that at least 20% of British women reaching the end of their fertile life are childless, compared with 10% in the 1940’s. Leading obstetricians warn that women who wait until their late 30’s to conceive are defying nature and risking heartbreak. Older women having babies has been the subject of much criticism from the medical profession and segments of the press who often portray them as selfish and irresponsible. However, according to sex and relationship psychologist Dr Petra Boynton, health care professionals and the media should stop attacking older mums and look at the pressing issues of parental rights, affordable childcare, maternity and paternity leave,  factors which can prevent women from having children at an earlier age.

Is Dr Boynton right or should we all be alarmed as women appear to be increasingly pushing at the boundaries of nature? Should we accept as the norm for the future the case of Patricia Rashbrook 63, who is seven months pregnant and is currently Britain’s oldest mum-to-be?         

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