Pros and cons of delaying motherhood

Spain, along with Italy and Switzerland, is one of the countries where delaying motherhood is more common. That may be because during their most fertile years, women do not make motherhood a priority, or due to the quest to achieve stability — personal, professional or financial —. In any case, more and more women are having their first child after the age of 40. 

According to an international study published in the journal Human Reproduction, most women believe that having their children later in life allows them to have a well-established professional career, a good coparenting relationship and more family experience. Among the disadvantages is the difficulty in conceiving, which generally leads to the use of an assisted reproductive technique and which, in addition, often ends up producing a smaller than desired family.
 

Turning back the biological clock

Scientifically, there is one clear fact: oocyte production diminishes after the age of 35. Therefore, experts state that the perfect age for conception is between 20 and 30, before fertility begins to decline. In the current social model, this is becoming increasingly difficult. It is not surprising, then, that after a certain age women have more problems conceiving and it takes longer than would be the case for a younger girl. 

The aging of the ovary, and consequently of the oocytes, makes it more difficult to get pregnant naturally after the age of forty. Therefore, in these cases, it is common to end up turning to assisted reproduction techniques.

In addition, among the risks of such a late motherhood, there are a number of conditions that can appear during pregnancy and birth, affecting either the mother or the fetus. But being a mother after the age of 40 can be just as intense and wonderful as it was at 20 or 30. The most important thing, whatever the case may be, is that the mother-to-be is committed to taking care of her own and her baby's health throughout the process. Many complications can be prevented with proper prenatal care if medical guidance is followed.

Advantages of delaying motherhood

• There is usually greater professional and financial stability
• Generally, the decision to become a mother has been carefully considered and is now firmly establishe
• Women have much more experience and clearer priorities
• At this age, the ability to manage emotions is stronger than in younger women
   

Disadvantages of delaying motherhood

• There is a greater probability of suffering a miscarriage
• There is a higher risk of genetic syndromes such as Down syndrome
• The mother is more likely to suffer from hypertension
• The mother is more likely to suffer from gestational diabetes
• Premature delivery and low birth weight are more common
• Caesarean delivery is more frequent
  

Ultimately, delaying motherhood has its advantages and disadvantages. The recommendation is to consider the advice of women's health and fertility experts capable of determining the best moment to try to achieve a healthy pregnancy.