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The birth trend in America is shifting dramatically. For the first time in history, women over 40 are having more babies than teenagers – a complete shift that raises fascinating questions about modern motherhood.

Drawing from our extensive experience as birth doulas, we dive into this groundbreaking CDC study showing births to women over 40 have surged 193% since 1990 while teen births plummeted 73%. The statistics align perfectly with what we're seeing in our practice, where approximately 75% of our clients now fall into the "advanced maternal age (geriatric pregnancy)" category.

What's driving this shift? We discuss multiple factors: better access to sex education, birth control, career advancement opportunities allowing women to establish themselves professionally before motherhood, evolving dating patterns (with many finding partners later through work or online dating), and remarkable advancements in fertility treatments making pregnancy possible for many who might previously have been unable to conceive in their later reproductive years.

But delayed motherhood brings unique challenges. Healthcare providers typically approach pregnancies in women over 35 differently, recommending additional monitoring, earlier inductions, specialized genetic screening, and generally higher levels of medical management. Through personal stories and observations, we examine how older mothers – particularly those who've undergone fertility treatments – often approach birth with different expectations than younger mothers. Having already navigated the complex medical world of reproductive technology, they typically have a different relationship with the healthcare system than women who conceived easily in their twenties.

Have you experienced pregnancy after 35? We'd love to hear your story! Text or email us about what you wish your birth team had known about supporting you. Whether you're part of this growing demographic of older mothers or among the declining number of younger parents, your perspective matters to us and our community of listeners navigating similar journeys.

The studies referenced in this episode:

CDC Study

Motherly Article

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