More and more women are choosing to have babies far past the natural reproductive age.
Feelings are mixed about this issue, and in fact Great Britain is considering passing a law that would set a ceiling on the age of women who could receive on in vitro fertilization or other types of assisted pregnancies.
Conservative MP Nadine Davis of Great Britain stated:
“Once you pass the point of natural conception, that’s when you should stop. We need to legislate for this because, inevitably, society will have to pick up the cost later.”
This statement came on the heels of the announcement that a British citizen, 59 year old Susan Tollefsen, will receive in vitro fertilization at the London Women’s Clinic.
Ms. Tollefsen, who will turn 60 in October, gave birth to baby girl Freya at age 57 as the result of fertility treatment in Russia.
Freya was born after doctors in Moscow created an embryo from sperm that was donated by Ms. Tollefsen’s 48 year old partner and a donor egg.
“I’m still so full of life and healthy at 60, I don’t see any reason why I shouldn’t be treated,” Ms. Tollefsen told The Mail on Sunday, a London newspaper.
Although one can appreciate her point, the other side of that issue is understandable, also.
Perhaps Mother Nature knows best about such things as the optimal age to bear a child, and women shouldn’t try to bear children once they are past that natural shelf life, reproductively speaking.
On the other hand, women are living much longer, healthier lives than they did way back in ancient times, when anyone who lived to the ripe old age of 30 was considered a senior citizen.
So, there is quite a bit of validity to the claim of women like Susan Tollefsen, who—being vital, active, and healthy—see no reason why they shouldn’t have babies regardless of their age.
This is a loaded issue with strong feelings and beliefs by supporters of each side.
Is there such a thing as being “too old” to become pregnant and give birth?
Should this be regulated by law?
Or should women be allowed to receive fertility treatments at any age?
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