Pregnancy and Parenting After Thirty-Five: Mid Life, New Life

I am a 39-year-old single woman with a 5-year-old son, and I desperately want another child in my life. Unlike so many books that focus on couples, and/or first-time moms, this book covers many, many scenarios (including my own) thoroughly, professionally, and with wonderful sensitivity. The practical information is complete and accessible. It addresses most if not all of the potential complications and outcomes of an AMA pregnancy, while short vignettes about other women's experiences interspersed throughout the volume keep the reading very easy and interesting.

The world of motherhood, most especially in developed countries, has undergone profound changes in the latter half of the 20th century. For the first time in history, many women elected to delay starting a family until they completed their education, had secured their professional path, found the right partner and/or had the financial means to nurture and educate a child. Many of us including myself know women who waited until after thirty or later to have their first baby and possibly some who continued having children into their forties. My mother was thirty-four when I was born and thirty-six when she gave birth to my younger brother. My maternal grandmother who lived in rural Texas continued having children until well into her forties and a first cousin remarried in her late thirties and found herself a mother at the age of thirty-seven and later, at thirty-nine. In addition to massive social changes that have stopped, at least in some quarters, the finger-pointing at women who postponed motherhood until they were ready, advancements in the world of gynecology have made profound changes for women who were previously infertile. There are now myriad options including in vitro fertilization and egg implantation that allow women to give birth in their fifties and sixties and I'm sure a seventy-year-old mom may be just a few years away! The doctors, Michele C. Moore, M.D. and Caroline M. de Costa, M.D., have added a fascinating new book to their "Mid Life, New Life" series. "Pregnancy and Parenting after Thirty-Five" is a must have for any mature woman considering giving birth or adopting an infant, a non-judgmental, beautifully written work by two medical professionals who have experienced late pregnancies themselves. Dr. Moore gave birth to her son at thirty-five while Dr. de Costa, after having already having five children, found herself changing the diapers of two very healthy and vibrant children in her early forties. Pregnancy and Parenting after Thirty-Five looks at every aspect of mature parenting including available testing for the health of the mother, options for assistance with conception, adoption and a major concern for mature mothers-to-be, screening for chromosomal abnormalities. They also look at multiple births, a common occurrence with the increased use of fertility drugs to assist in motherhood. The book is written in clear but concise language that breaks down complicated medical procedures and statistical information into advice that any layman and most importantly, laywoman, can both comprehend and use. Doctors Moore and de Costa also give multiple scenarios based on their own case histories and personal experiences as mature moms. This book is a must-have for anyone contemplating parenting an infant after thirty-five whether through birth or adoption and will be just as useful for expectant fathers as it is for hopeful mothers. Francesca Miller

Gifted writers, Drs. Moore and de Costa draw upon their extensive medical training and the experiences of real women to provide older moms-to-be with valuable information. They focus on discussing the many issues and challenges older women may face when having a baby. While expecting my first at 37, I could not put this book down! It proved to be a great resource and easy to understand. It also helped me feel much more confident about making decisions surrounding my own pregnancy. I highly recommend it to anyone expecting or considering a baby ...a little later in life!

I found this book while waiting for my second child at age 39. 8 years since the last so a lot has been forgotten and a lot has changed. It's a mine of useful information especially the whole issue of what tests to have/not have for the possibility of abnormality. I really liked that the writers understand that not all pregnancies end happily ever after. The fact that they both went through this themselves really shows through.Silvia S.

I really recommend this book to all women thinking about getting pregnant a bit later in life, you don't have to wait to 35. I had my daughter at age 33 two years ago and found it the most challenging thing I've ever done! I've just recommended the book to two friends going through the same thing. There are hundred of pregnancy books but in this there's lots of really useful information about antenatal testing and how to choose a birth plan that I would have liked to have had before Maddy was born, and the authors talk to you in a very positive way. I give it five stars.