What is Mothers Over 40 all About?
Mothers Over 40 is a positive and encouraging resource for all older parents and those planning to conceive after the age of 40 and upwards.
This site, which was established in May 2002, is dedicated to all older mothers, fathers, mothers-to-be and anyone who is planning a pregnancy later in life, whether it's your first, second, third, fourth, fifth or even twentieth child! The aim of this site is to offer encouragement, inspiration and hope to older parents around the world and to be a positive resource amongst all the negative statistics that you may read elsewhere about having a child after 40.
When I was expecting my fourth child at the age of 39 (giving birth at 40), I found very little encouraging information that was specific to older mothers, despite the fact that in some parts of the world, women have been conceiving in their 40s and 50s for decades. As a freelance writer and author, I was eager to gather information on the positive aspects of midlife parenting, but despite spending a huge amount of time scouring bookstores and the Internet, I realised that such information was at a premium. If I could have found a positive site offering me reassurance, along with all the information I needed and answers to the many questions that I had, it would have saved an enormous amount of time, energy, frustration and anxiety.
My pregnancy was straightforward and free from complications, apart from severe morning sickness (24/7), which had also afflicted me during my previous three pregnancies.
I hope that people will beging to focus more on the positive aspects of midlife parenting and less on the age factor. Do the sceptics assume that we all metamorphose into incapacitated wrecks once we hit the bit Four-O, who are only capable of sitting in a rocking chair knitting and napping? I don't think so.
I hope that this site will be a comfort to older mothers everywhere. If there is anything specific that you would like to see included on this site, please let me know!
If you would like to read more about me and view photos of my family, please click the About link.
Jan Andersen
Freelance Writer & Owner of Mothers Over 40