Should people try to complete childbearing before 40?

Question

http://blogs.chron.com/herhealth/2006/06/no_such_thing_as_stud_sperm_1.html

http://www.wqad.com/global/story.asp?s=1371605&ClientType=Printable
Why are men over 35 different thought to be genetically fit to have children when women over 35 are told that they are at risk of having problems with the health of their children? Over 35 conditions are known to increase with advancing paternal age Why don't we hear about these risks?

http://humrep.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/reprint/13/9/2371.pdf list the effects of late paternity and later maternity

Answer 1

I made a personal choice that if I didn't have kids by age 40, I just wouldn't at all. Mainly because of my health and possible health risks to the child, and because of what I felt would be fair to a child.

I think it's a matter of health and also a matter of having the energy and time to devote to a growing child. I know some people over 40 have no problems with it.

Answer 2

There are several reasons for and against I would say. At upper ages you're more mature so you may make better choices in your parenting,but many activities that younger parents may be able to do with their children older parents might not. Imagine spending 11 hours working your way through the amusement park at 55 in 100 degree weather with an eight year old for a moment. And of course more importantly is the health issues, the older you are when you have children the more likely the child may have major health problems,it a fact. I've seen it once in a mother who had her first child when she was 50,he had major health issues and committed suicide 2 years ago. Whether his health was a result of the age of his mother at birth is debatable but there is an actual provable correlation that has been studied on ages of mothers and health of children that says it's very possible that was part of the problem.

Answer 3

Personal choice. Myself I wanted to have one more before I turned 30. He's 3 yrs. old now and I'm done with it. I had gestational diabetes, because of my age, so I wouldn't want to go through that again for myself or the dangers to the baby. I'm ready for some time for myself in the future. Well except for spoiling grandchildren and sending them back. I would hate to think about being almost 60 before my child was graduating high school.

Answer 4

Yes for the sake of their child. Noone wants an old mum or dad....Also, there are real heath risks for the child with an older pregnancy.

Answer 5

I can't say what people should do. It depends on the individual woman, what her body and psyche can take. My aunt had a child after 40 and so did my grandmother have a few after 40. Myself I always said if I didn't have children by 35 I wouldn't. IMHO 40 is too old for me, I can't imagine raising a child in my 50s and 60s. But other women feel differently and that's their right. People are taking better care of themselves and living longer these days, so childbearing at 40 and beyond may make sense for women who have decided to build their careers in the 20s and 30s. Older women probably make better Moms too, because they're settled financially and psychologically. It just depends.

Answer 6

I had a child at 39. I love her and she kept me thinking young but the strain of dealing with a teenager while dealing with menopause is not for the faint of heart.

Answer 7

I think once you get to be around middle-aged you can't have children

Answer 8

It would be better healthwise..not just for the baby but the
parents also

Answer 9

For the sake of the child, yes. I mean, which child wants to be 20 when their parents are 80?

Answer 10

I think they should so they won't have any problems for them or the baby.