Should I freeze my eggs?
Pregnancy after 40, if not impossible, is difficult for one simple reason: lower egg quality. Since a woman only has eggs that she is born with (no new eggs are produced in her lifetime), they decline in quality over time, often developing genetic defects. Thus, not only is her fertility going down, chances of her having a child with genetic disorder or having a miscarriage also go up.
One of the scenarios that has been presented is that if a woman realizes that she will not be able to become a mother by 35 (the normal age at which woman should finish having all kids), she can freeze her eggs, which can then be fertilized using an IVF procedure, and hopefully, she can have a healthy child at whatever age she is ready.
First of all, there is not enough evidence that all this will go so smoothly. Secondly, a woman's hormonal levels and physical strength changes with age and even though a fit woman will make a better mom at 40 than an unfit woman at 20, simply freezing eggs does not mean that she will conceive and have a healthy child.
Having said, there is no risk at all, except the money that you will need to spend on extraction and preservation.
One of the scenarios that has been presented is that if a woman realizes that she will not be able to become a mother by 35 (the normal age at which woman should finish having all kids), she can freeze her eggs, which can then be fertilized using an IVF procedure, and hopefully, she can have a healthy child at whatever age she is ready.
First of all, there is not enough evidence that all this will go so smoothly. Secondly, a woman's hormonal levels and physical strength changes with age and even though a fit woman will make a better mom at 40 than an unfit woman at 20, simply freezing eggs does not mean that she will conceive and have a healthy child.
Having said, there is no risk at all, except the money that you will need to spend on extraction and preservation.
posted by eCreativa Media | 2:45 PM
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Moms without wedlock increase in numbers
According to latest statistics, out-of-wedlock births in the United States have climbed to an all-time high, with 40% of the newborns, mostly among women in their twenties - so it is not due to teenage pregnancy.
Why is this happening?
Well, more couples are choosing to live together before marriage. Others, afraid of a divorce, are simply choosing not to have a legal marriage (these couples often live like married couples in other ways, for example, by managing their finances jointly). And of course, women who do not want to get married for the heck of it but would still like to be moms, become pregnant with the help of a donor so that they are still in control of their biological clock.
What does it mean?
Be ready to see more of such kids. Also do not make a fool of yourself by asking a mother about the child's father or her husband - they are gradually becoming archaic concepts.
Why is this happening?
Well, more couples are choosing to live together before marriage. Others, afraid of a divorce, are simply choosing not to have a legal marriage (these couples often live like married couples in other ways, for example, by managing their finances jointly). And of course, women who do not want to get married for the heck of it but would still like to be moms, become pregnant with the help of a donor so that they are still in control of their biological clock.
What does it mean?
Be ready to see more of such kids. Also do not make a fool of yourself by asking a mother about the child's father or her husband - they are gradually becoming archaic concepts.
posted by eCreativa Media | 1:23 PM