More and more women are raising children in midlife. Some of us are becoming pregnant without the assistance of reproductive technologies; some of us are using technologies such as in vitro fertilization, either with our own or with a donor's eggs, to conceive; and some of us are adopting.
Midlife women may experience motherhood differently than younger mothers do. As older women, we are more likely to be financially and emotionally prepared to raise a child and bring a wealth of life experiences to our mothering. Those of us who delayed childbearing for a long time or struggled with infertility often particularly savor our parenting experiences. On the flip side, we may have less energy to bring to the physical and emotional labor of raising children and may have very high standards for ourselves and our children that are difficult to live up to. We also may find ourselves coping with the menopause transition or caring for our elderly parents at the time when we are still changing diapers.
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Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.