totally agree

I'd hate to see this too if it happens. But it's certainly not always the case. I'm just wondering if maybe it's actually very rarely the case, though that might not be what the media would have us believe.

It is very well known that the ideal biological age is 24 and that problems exponentially increase after age 35. I think that if an older woman leaves it "too late" then to be fair she has been warned and definitely should not get more than basic fertility tests on the nhs!
As for people asking if the woman is going to get a move on etc, again people know the risk of increasing age, perhaps instead of being annoying they are concerned for you?

What about the cost to the nhs for the rise in disabled kids that would inevitably arise?

I speak from experience, my mil had my dh at 46 to fit him around her career.

I know that my health insurance doesnt pay women over the age of 40 and men over the age of 50..

This is an interesting topic ladies. I myself received the question during my first midwife appointment of "so what took you so long?". I was 39 when I conceived. Have to say that took me by surprise (not sure why though), and I muttered something back. But in my situation I was taking care of my elderly parents who were quite dependant on me and it was only after my Father passed away (3 years ago today) that I found my OH.
So it was a case of not having the time and having other responsibilities to be able to form a relationship...
The other point about the risks - the media dont explain that its not just age that can be a factor, its your lifestyle i.e do you smoke or drink excessively; do you have a high BMI, is your diet healthly enough and also there are certain factors in your blood they check for. I was quite surprised at all the things they check.

Thankfully I ended up being a low risk mother to be and had a beautiful healthy baby boy.

All I need to do is try find a OH. If I had someone to share the bills with and love enough to create a new life then I would be all set. I would hate to be penalised for IVF treatment because I wasn't one of the lucky ones to find Mr Right before the age of 35.

It's a tricky issue and I can see where some people are coming from. But I didn't meet my DH until I was 24, we married when I was 27 and I didn't actually want children until I was 28. I might get shot down here, but we can't ttc right now because I'm finishing a PhD and would have no maternity entitlements. When I'm finished we are emmigrating (back to where I come from) so I will be near my family when we have children, so again - will need wait until I know what's happening with jobs, etc before we can decide to ttc. So I will be at least 31 before we have our first, but then who knows how long it'll take us, what if things don't go smoothly?

I just think that women do need to be informed of the risks, but we surely can't penalise women who get there later in life because they didn't meet the right person, etc? Just as much as I respect women who have children young because they know that's what they want, I respect women who wait until they're certain it's what they want. I would never berate a young mum for not prioritising a career, so I just personally don't understand people berating 'older' mums for doing the opposite.

I think it's a bit silly and encourages girls to have babies before they are ready and potentially jump into a bad relationship just so they can make sure to have a child.
I didn't get married till 35 and got pregnant easily with my 1st at age 36. As far as I can tell, I've had the easiest pregnancy ever and I feel fantastic. My doctor said its quite normal these days for women to wait till 32-38 for a first baby and he's not seen it to be a problem for most of them to get pregnant or have perfectly healthy babies.
I think it's important to know that fertility declines and there are risks, but it's not so doom and gloom as the media likes to present it.

Wouldn't it be interesting if the media when reporting this type of "news", polled women say over 35 and actually asked their reason for "waiting".

Of course, you'd get the career women. But I wonder what percentage of women would give completely different reasons... Not finding OH, OH wanting to wait, problems TTC, recurrent losses.

I think there are more women who have had their first baby later in life for factors outside of their control, than the media give credit for. But I guess it's more news-y if they can simply blame it all on career-hungry women.

I'm 29 now, being TTC since 28, suffered a loss, been victim of crime and now having to move before TTC again, so there's a good chance I'll be well into my 30s before 1st bub arrives.

We women just can't win;

If you don't have a job or get pregnant "too young", you're criticized.
If you have a great job and start having children "too old", you're criticized.

I know so many people in their late 20s nowhere near settling down, I know people that are in their late 30s and haven't found Mr. Right yet, and the thought they may never have kids is killing them.