Are you ever too old to have a baby? - The Global Story podcast, BBC World Service

In countries across the world women are deciding to delay motherhood. Increased access to education, more career opportunities and less financial stability means that more and more women are having children later in life.

But fewer babies now, could mean more economic pressures on the rest of us in the future. We explore this complex topic with the BBC's Population Correspondent Stephanie Hegarty and Professor of Reproductive Science at University College London, Joyce Harper.

00:09 Introduction
01:58 How old is an older mother?
02:44 Global motherhood trends
03:30 Much older first-time mothers
04:51 Why women are choosing to have babies later
07:39 Environmental concerns around having children
09:07 How we're having babies later with fertility treatment
11:02 The consequences for global populations
15:33 Private sector paying for staff fertility treatment
16:35 "Having kids is fabulous"

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[strngmgc]

why are people surprised my generation isn't having many kids? the jobs we have pay fuckall, the threat of being unemployed is omnipresent, we can't afford to buy a house, the rent is ridiculously high, buying groceries sometimes bankrupts us, we have no time for family or friends, we live to work only and relationships are more and more existing mostly digitally. with all that and many other such cases how can i physically, mentally or financially take care of a child?

[Vivacious_]

I’ll be 48 when I deliver my baby. Conceived naturally. Truly a blessing ❤

[crd]

I'm 36 with a paid off house, travelled extensively, built a nice career, dealt with all my traumas and emotional issues, married the perfect guy, and about to have my first baby in about 3 weeks. There's no other time in my life I would have wanted children but now. I'm ready to meet my son and I'm very happy with the person he's going to meet.

[azizahkahera]

I married in my early 40’s. I just never met the suitable life partner until that time. I will be 50 next year. We are still hoping for our miracle. I’m not giving up and I am encouraged by the comments below ❤God bless you all

[moniquecaesar]

I'm 37 and 17 weeks pregnant with our first baby. I've never felt more prepared than now. We've been married for 3.5 years, have enough income, savings/investments, a home to give her space to grow, and most of all a stable two parent household. We're blessed and grateful!

[anjalianthony]

Women are choosing to start families later (or not have a family at all) for many, many reasons:
1. It takes much longer to find a good supportive partner
2. It takes longer to establish a career
3. Cost of living / affordability
4. Lack of post-partum care for women
5. Cost of childcare or lack of support for families.
6. General state of the planet and environment.

[gabak]

A friend of mine got pregnant at 54! She thought it was the Menopause. Her " Menopause" is now 10 years old!

[omomo]

I’m 45 and holding my one month old as we speak! I love this so much and I KNOW I’ll be a better mom now rather than 20 years ago.

[m]

I honestly think females aren't getting pregnant until later is because nowadays it's harder to find a suitable partner

[JJ-xmkm]

i’m 38 i had 2 miscarriage recently…. please send me prayers all i have ever wanted was to have beautiful healthy babies… and give my unconditional love and support

[TypingGirl]

I’m 46 with my first baby who is now 5 months old. Conceived naturally. It has been hard, but wonderful!

[sarahkpaul]

The comments from older mums are very encouraging ..I’m 39 now, can’t afford to freeze my eggs and no potential life partner yet but I’m still hopeful

[emu]

Had my first child with ivf at 41…now I’m pregnant naturally at 43😊

[brendagotababy]

I just had my first baby at 43. My daughter is almost 4 now and I'm 47, and I couldn't be happier. I'm glad she knows the mature version of me who has broken toxic patterns learned from a toxic upbringing.

[niyatipandya]

I am 33 married for six years . We just wanted to be financially stable before we bring another soul . I am 16 weeks pregnant with my first baby 👶

[gdjzyeq]

I'm 3 mos. pregnant now with baby no.3 and I'll be 47 yrs old by the time the baby is born. Conceived naturally. Had our 1st child at 27, our 2nd at 35 and now baby no. 3 at 47.
Praise God.

[victoriaporsiempre]

Praying for the women who really wish to have a child but are struggling with fertility issues or other issues 🙏🏽 might God bless you with a miracle ❤

[deer.]

Im 35 and starting now. Ill come back to this comment when im pregnant. Prayers to eveyone trying or already pregnant 🙏🏾

[rsgsbfs]

I devoted all my life to studying and getting my degrees. My husband convinced me to have my baby and i am 46 and pregnant 35 weeks. I was terrified to be pregnant all my life and i was told it would have difficult pregnancy which didn't turn out to be true. Only now i feel some discomfort. So dont be put of by old statistics/information. Each woman is different. If you want to have a baby go for it and enjoy it as much as possible!

[anushajohn]

My grandmom had her first baby before the age of 20 and her 11th baby when she was 50 and her eldest daughter had a kid by then. She thought it was menopause. She is 97 now, all her children are healthy and so is she with 25 healthy great grandchildren by God’s grace. No IVFs, no career pressure and no financial instability.