Until How Old Will You Try to Get Pregnant?

Written by Arpee on July 9, 2008 – 8:23 am -

Being of “advanced maternal age” myself, the question of until when will you try to get pregnant is something that has crossed my mind a couple of times. Even as early as 25 years old, I have heard comments and read articles that mentioned about a woman’s biological clock tick-tocking away. Apparently and as always, the answer is personal and is different on a case-to-case basis.

In the news, it was reported that:
- In 2003, a 65-year old Indian woman from India’s eastern Orissa state gave birth to a boy.
- In December 2006, a 67-year-old Spanish woman gave birth to twins in Barcelona.
- This month July 2008, a 70-year old Indian woman gave birth to twins. This new record is reported here.

Frankly, I have not really thought about an age limit when I will stop trying to conceive. I am still very hopeful in being able to bear my own child. DH and I have not discussed this … but my thinking right now is that for all practical purposes, if a child does not come to us “naturally” in a year or 2, I am leaning towards stopping all fertility treatments. If the Lord wants to grant us a child after that, then that will be a joy!

My thoughts are that I will not go beyond 45 years old to try to conceive, much less 50, 60 or 70 years old like the most recent woman who is now the oldest mother.

Here are my practical reasons:
1. At this age, I am not a spring chicken anymore. I can feel the signs of aging specially during hormonal cycles when one typically gets fatigued and cranky. Becoming pregnant and raising a child at this age will be much more physically exhausting than if we were younger - that sort of bothers me a bit.

At this point though, the hope and desire for our own child is worth more than those worrying thoughts. As some experienced mother-friends have said, “you will find strength you didn’t know was there”. I could further extend the years of strength, endurance and flexibility by an exercise regimen and good eating habits. So, note to self - Exercise regularly and Eat well!!!

2. Having a child at even more advanced maternal age would make for a limited time shared by parent and child, specially for someone like us whose people has an average lifespan is 70 years old. The older the parent, the lesser shared time. Would there be enough time to raise the child to become a responsible human being? Who will the parents entrust the child in case the parents die?

I guess all these questions are also valid, regardless of the parent’s age, for we do not know if we have another moment or tomorrow to live. Nevertheless, the chances of these questions being called out for an answer is more for an older parent.

Now, if the Lord works in us in the same ways that He worked on Sarah or Hannah - He gave them sons in their old age - then we will gratefully and joyfully accept that. “Every good and perfect gift is from above…” James 1:17

How about you? Have you made a decision regarding this question or maybe thought about it already?