What it's like becoming a 1st-time mom in your 40s

A few decades ago, the thought of women having children in their 40s was almost unheard of.

But globally, these days, more and more women are embarking on motherhood later in life.

For many women, their 40s come with a stronger sense of self, financial stability, and more established supportive networks.

702's Relebogile Mabotja says when she became a mom in her late 30s, she was considered a 'geriatric mother' by the medical profession.

But gynaecologist Dr Deshnee Naidoo says that term is not really used these days.

"You used to be called an ancient prima, or an elderly prima, if you were having a baby over the age of 45. The classification has changed to over 40, and you're still called an older mom."

From a medical perspective, there are reasons why women are classified according to age, explains Naidoo.

"Your fertility decreases after 40. Your fertility actually goes down to less than a third."

That's due to a woman's eggs decreasing in number, says Naidoo. "By the age of 40, you have a less than 5% chance of falling pregnant per year."

Another factor for older mothers is an increased likelihood of the baby having a chromosomal abnormality.

"We screen aggressively for that. When you're 20, your risk of Down syndrome is 1 in 1,500; at 40, it is 1 in 85."

There are other risks for women choosing to become pregnant in their 40s, including an increased risk of comorbidities.

"A higher percentage of older women smoke and consume alcohol, so you have to change your lifestyle."

The risk of miscarriage also increases, says Naidoo.

TV producer Vanessa Tloubatla is no stranger to hearing about the risk of carrying a baby as an older mom.

She recently became a first-time mom to a beautiful baby girl at 45 years old, but tells Mabotja she didn't experience any complications.

"I know that a lot of women really struggle to have babies, especially after the age of 40, but I was among the lucky people who didn't have any issues at all."

She explains that when it came to the increased risk of chromosomal abnormalities, she underwent NIPT (Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing) to screen for Down syndrome and other common chromosome abnormalities.

"I came out as being low risk."

Tloubatla explains that she had a very easy pregnancy.

"Except for maybe heartburn, I had severe heartburn, and my baby did have a lot of hair! Although I've learned that one has nothing to do with the other."

Besides feeling very tired, Tloubatla says she 'hit the lottery' when it comes to having an easy pregnancy, adding that she didn't even acquire any stretch marks.

Naidoo says Tloubatla is one of the luckier older moms.

"She is against the norm."

To listen to Naidoo and new mom Tloubatla in conversation with 702's Relebogile Mabotja, click below: