I have just read that a woman is expecting her first baby at the age of 57, she has undergone several years of IVF treatment in foreign clinics.

I am pleased for her and her partner, and hope all goes really well for them.

I wondered what people thought of this?

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Midwifemissy x

Student Midwife 2007
Student uni rep
Educational Resources Manager

PAB Support Worker

I personally don't agree with this . Just because we have the science to do these things doesn't mean that we should. Nature has programmed the body to stop reproducing at this age for very good reasons.

This is only my opinion and if I had to care for a mother of this age I would care for them without judgement and would give her the same treatment I would give everyone else.

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Coffeebean xx


Student Midwife

That is how I feel too, I don't agree with it either. But as the couple have tried for so long to have a child, then at least it will be a loved and much wanted baby when it is born next week.

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Midwifemissy x

Student Midwife 2007
Student uni rep
Educational Resources Manager

PAB Support Worker

Nope, she's too old. Mother nature decides what time women go through menopause for a reason... their bodies aren't at their prime to carry, nurture and birth a child.. let alone run after it!!! If it had happened naturally.. fair enough, great.. I don't agree with messing around with nature... You're fertile for a certain length of time for a reason... and jump down my neck all you like.. but some people are also infertile for a reason... Not talking people who've BECOME infertile through illness/injury...by messing with nature you're risking passing down genetic faults to children that otherwise wouldn't have existed. Somewhat irresponsible really, we do not have a RIGHT to have children... they are a gift we're blessed with.

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I have similar views to others. I don't agree with fertility treatments for women past the menopausal age. I think those who provide it are completely irresponsible.

Why? Just because a woman is not physically capable of producing a child does that not mean she will not be a good mother?

Whilst I understand the view here, I understand a woman may not have met the right person, had problems etc and feel she should not be judged for having a child with some help.

I can only imagine the heart ache that a woman must go through to endure endless cycles of IVF and many miscarriages, often these problems are only diagnosed with advancing medical techniques.

I think anyone who wishes to has a right to have a child, whether they are 15 or 50, who are we to say it is wrong?

With regards to comments for reasons for things, perhaps conversely this is true, though it is probably bad luck, who knows?

Some people seem able to reproduce rapidly, whilst others seem unable to.

I understand the view, but disagree, it is hard enough for women being judged for working whilst being mothers, being unmarried, alone, abused, fat, thin, on benefits, too young to have children, too old.....

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See, i don't agree. I do not think you have a RIGHT to have a child should you wish.

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Why should any woman be denied their own child when we have the technology to help women who are plagued by infertility? So she is 57 when the child is 10 she'll be 67 and 20...77 etc etc.... people are living longer so why cant they parent longer?

If we look at it like that - there is a cut off point - then why do we accept medical treatment for disease and procedures to extend life? as mother nature has a cut off ..... why are some treatments acceptable and some not? more to do with social norms and prejudice than anything else.

It used to be the case in the 1960s that 30 was too old and now its when most professional women are beginning to have their families. Times change, technology changes and some attitudes should too.

The main obstacle is that she will be an older parent, more like a grandmothers age, but if she is fit and healthy and provides a loving supportive home for her much wanted child, who are we to judge? how many children are born to women of all ages who abuse and neglect thier kids, or even just dont seem that bothered with their kids and put their career or social life first to the detriment of family life or time with their kids?

I dont think this matter is as clear cut as an age thing.

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I think everyone has the right to treatment, why should it be a lottery of who is born with infertility issues and who isnt? its like the debate about breast cancer treatment, a lottery based on postcode........

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StudentMidwife.NET Founder

"You're braver than you believe. Stronger than you seem. And smarter than you think."
Christopher Robin in Pooh's Grand Adventure

Fancy yourself as a bit of a writer? Want to contribute midwifery or SM2B articles to SMNET? If so, PM me with your thoughts/articles

Because I don't believe a 57 year old in the long term is physically able to look after a child. My parents are of a similar age, and are both extremely fit for their age, however, after time of looking after their grandkids, they are exhausted and cannot do it full time.
In my eyes this child will be the one looking after its mother before it leaves its teens, to me that is wrong.
However, I don't hold a general view that assisted conception is wrong. I have met a woman who had assisted conception from her husband who had passed away before she became pregnant ... ooooh the views about that! I was extremely happy for her.
It is one of those things that not everyone will agree on.