Having a baby at 66 - too old?

[Lovely2CU]

Do you think she is too old? even if she is desperate for a child, and could be a fantastic mother. Of course, she could always employ a nanny!

At 66, she is four years older than the previous record holder.

Mrs Adeney, who is around eight months pregnant, is believed to have undergone IVF abroad because most British clinics will not treat women over the age of 50.

Friends say that the divorcee, a wealthy businesswoman who is still working a five-day week, is in perfect health and looking forward to the birth of what is thought to be her first child.

But her pregnancy will reignite the debate over late motherhood and the ability of science to enable women in their fifties and sixties to become mothers.

Mrs Adeney will be just short of her 80th birthday when her child becomes a teenager.

A friend said she had been desperate to conceive for years.

Last year, she travelled to the Ukraine, where a controversial IVF clinic has helped countless women get pregnant using donor eggs and sperm.

The friend added: 'She was desperate for a child. She was over the moon when she learned last year that she was pregnant and has been quite open about it - it's not the sort of thing she can hide.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...rate-divorcee-set-Britains-oldest-mother.html

 

[Lovely2CU]

I forgot to post that yes, I think she is.

 

[happygirl]

Yes. I don't think you can physical chase down a toddler. I guess I should say that the 66 years old I know couldn't.

 

[luvmy3]

I think its incredibly selfish to have a baby at 66. On top of the host of problems a pregnancy could cause someone at that age and effecting the fetus, there is the fact that the child may, at a young age, have to deal with the death of their parent. If the mother is the only parent the child knows, what would they go through and what would happen to them.
Personally I could never do it because of those 2 reasons. I know that its not a 100% possibility for them to happen but those thought s would always be in the back of my mind.

 

[themilesfamily]

The average life expectancy for a woman in Great Britain is 81 years old -- her child would only be 15 years old when she's 81. Now I know that's just an average -- any of us could live to be 100 OR we could step out in front of a bus tomorrow and that's it. But to conceive a child knowing that the odds are against you raising him to adulthood? I don't think that's very responsible.

But, anyone can do anything they want these days when it comes to conception and childbirth. The well-being of children takes a backseat to the wants/needs of the mother. I just hope she has an excellent back-up plan for who this child will live with when she passes away.

 

[HSMndLKfan92]

Personally, I think her time was done a long time ago.
With that being said, I hope she can successfully raise this child.
Best of luck to her.

 

[Rebelmom67]

It is not something I would want to do, but, her decision to have a baby has no impact on my life whatsoever....so....to each his own.

 

[Cool-Beans]

It's really none of my business.

I wouldn't do it. Especially if there wasn't another parent to care for the child after I died.

 

[Lanshark]

Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should.

This women will be in her mid eighties when that child graduates from HS

 

[browneyes106]

I think its incredibly selfish to have a baby at 66. On top of the host of problems a pregnancy could cause someone at that age and effecting the fetus, there is the fact that the child may, at a young age, have to deal with the death of their parent. If the mother is the only parent the child knows, what would they go through and what would happen to them.
Personally I could never do it because of those 2 reasons. I know that its not a 100% possibility for them to happen but those thought s would always be in the back of my mind.

I agree with you. There is no mention of another parent. I also worry about the mother getting dementia or something related. I have known a few cases of people getting dementia in their 60's and 70's.

 

[Tanzanite]

Hi i feel sorry for the child she may not be around when he or she is a teenager.Iguess the nanny will take care of the child.

 

[GeorgeG]

It's just my opinion, but I think the idea of having children at 66 is absurd.

I know some celebrities have had children at a later age, but mostly men married to younger women and I have no doubt that nannies play heavily into the daily care. Most people in their sixties, me included and even those in good health, do not have the energy for grandchildren on a regular basis. Even those in good health have minimal likelyhood of that good health lasting through the raising of the child.

 

[Freyja]

I do feel she is too old. It also makes me sad to read that she has no partner, no siblings, and her neighbors says she doesn´t seem to have many friends either (they say noone seems to come to her house). I think this might make for one very lonely child, and very alone when the time comes that mom is old and needs care or dies.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

If the sex of the parent was reversed, what would we think? There are many, many men who've fathered children at age 66 and it hasn't garnered any attention.

Personally, I think 66 is too old for a man or a woman to father or mother a child, but that's my choice, not theirs. If they've thought it through and have an appropriate back-up guardian who is a part of the child's life from day one, it's their business, not mine.

 

[Sparx]

its so incredibly selfish.

she will be 88 when her child graduates college.
she'll probably be dead before her child gets married.

its so incredibly selfish.

 

[alexandria674]

I think so. It is really selfish because she will be not only having a risky procedure at her age, but she probably will not be alive to see its milestones. Is there going to be a younger dad or will the kid be on its own when the old woman passes on?

P.S. I think the reason why we overlook things when it is a guy having kids at that age is because even though it is just as selfish, we can assume the mother is younger and can care for the child until its old enough to leave.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Judy and I were both in our upper 40s when we got married. We easily decided that we did not want children as we would both be in our 60s when they became teenagers and ready to retire (or actually retired) by the time they were college age.

 

[Ephany]

I went to middle and high school with some kids who had to visit their dad in the nursing home every week, (dad was much, much older than mom). It was really hard on them; at least their mom was able to be more active. I can't imagine being pregnant at that age.

 

[luvsJack]

I would say that its totally up to her. Would I want a child at 66? No. But if she thinks she can handle it and its something she wants and she will love and cherish the child and if she is able to make sure the child will be provided for ; I think she should go for it.

The fact is, none of us know if we will be here until our children are grown. Many parents die while their children are young and do not have a spouse or SO to take care of the child. Isn't that one reason to choose a godparent?

Many, many grandparents are raising their grandchildren. Should we not allow a 66 year old grandmother to raise her grandchild when the child's parent dies or becomes ill or for some other reason cannot raise the child?

 

[DISUNC]

If the sex of the parent was reversed, what would we think? There are many, many men who've fathered children at age 66 and it hasn't garnered any attention..

How many single men @ 66 are having babies???? BuT even if married I think that is wrong too.

I think 45 is questionable, 50 is crazy too have a baby, 60 is certifiable, 66 is out and out dimensia has sunk in.