Latest news with #olderparents
Medscape
02-07-2025
- General
- Medscape
Birth Rate Rises as Trend to Older Parenting Continues
The number of live births in England and Wales rose last year, the first increase since 2021, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). There were 594,677 live births registered in 2024, up 0.6% from 591,072 in 2023. England saw a 0.74% increase, while Wales recorded a fall of nearly 2%. Despite the uptick, the rise was smaller than the 1.8% increase recorded between 2020 and 2021. The 2024 figure remained historically low, marking the third-lowest total since 1977. Older Parents The ONS reported a 'notable' rise in births to older fathers, particularly those aged 60 and over. This group saw a 14.2% increase in live births, from 942 in 2023 to 1076 in 2024. The trend toward older parenthood continued. Live births rose among parents over 30 and declined among those under 30. The data reflected reflected how people continue to 'put off having children until later in life', said Greg Ceely, head of population health monitoring at the ONS. The largest increase in births by maternal age was seen among mothers aged 35 to 39, rising by 2.7%. The sharpest decline occurred in mothers under 20, falling by 4.6%. Paternal age followed a similar pattern. Births to fathers under 30 fell, while most age groups over 30 saw increases. An exception was among fathers aged 45 to 49, where a dip of 0.6% was recorded. Regional Differences in Birth Rates Birth increases were driven primarily by London and the West Midlands. London recorded a 1.8% rise, while the West Midlands saw a 3.4% jump. Five English regions saw a decline, including the South East, East, South West, and East Midlands. The North East saw the largest drop, at 1.4%. Non-UK-Born Parents Make Up Growing Share In England, 40.4% of live births last year involved at least one parent born outside the UK, up from 38.2% in 2023. In Wales, the figure rose from 17.5% to 19.4%. London continued to have the highest proportion of births involving at least one non-UK-born parent. The North East had the lowest. In Wales, Cardiff had the highest percentage (40.6%) of such births. Caerphilly had the lowest, at 8.9%. A total of 33.9% of live births in England and Wales were to non-UK-born mothers, up from 31.8% in 2023. The share rose significantly among older mothers, reaching 55.5% for those aged 45 and over. Among mothers under 20, 15.7% were born outside the UK. India remained the most common country of birth for both non-UK-born mothers and fathers for the third consecutive year. Pakistan ranked second. Iraq entered the top 10 for mothers and remained tenth for fathers, having first appeared in 2023. Other Key Trends The stillbirth rate in England decreased slightly in 2024, from 3.9 to 3.8 per 1000 live births. In Wales, the rate rose from 4.0 to 4.4, returning to 2022 levels. 'A couple of other long-term trends are continuing, such as seeing around half of live births within marriage or civil partnership,' said Ceely. This proportion has remained stable since 2010. Boxing Day remained the least common day for births, a feature that has persisted for 12 years. The most common date was 23 February. Tuesday was the most frequent day for births (15.5%), while Saturday and Sunday were the least common (both 11.9%).
Daily Mail
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Megyn Kelly reveals her greatest parenting regret: 'It haunts me'
Megyn Kelly confessed her decision to have children later in life 'haunts' her because it means she will have less time with them. Kelly, 54, admitted her feelings during an interview on The Dr. Jordan B. Peterson Podcast earlier this month. The two discussed the increasing age at which women have children and the impact that being an older mom can have. Kelly, who had her first child in 2009 at the age of 38, admitted there are downsides to having children later in life. 'Unfortunately, and believe me, I think about it all the time, it means that my children and I have a shorter runway together, and I hate that fact. It haunts me,' she said. 'I'm so grateful that I have them at all, you know, unlike so many women who weren't this fortunate, but I hate the fact that every time we talk about their lives, I'm calculating, you know, it's his age plus 42. 'That's what I'll be, you know, when my youngest has his children, and boy, my kids better have kids young if they want me to be part of that child's life.' Kelly married her husband Douglas Brunt, 53, in 2008, and they share three children together: Yates, 15, Yardley, 14 and Thatcher, 12. The radio show host said she did not plan on being an older mom, but believes it has had a positive effect on her children. 'I didn't reach that place in my life until I was older, and unfortunately, it wasn't planned this way because I didn't meet my husband till we were 35,' she said. 'I have no regrets about how I did it, but I also acknowledge it's not all roses and unicorns. There are downsides to doing it the way I did. 'I really think that the calm I've brought to motherhood, the life lessons, the wisdom has been a boon to my children who are calm and cool.' Women are having their first child older than ever, according to new data that suggests the already-shrinking US fertility rate could see further declines. A new CDC report analyzing births from 2016 through 2023 found that the average age of first-time moms rose by nearly a year - from 26.6 years old in 2016 to 27.5 years old in 2023. Similar increases were also observed among women having their second and third children, with the average age at birth rising by one year for second births and just short of a year for third and higher-order births. In 2020, Kelly announced she removed her three children from their private New York City schools and relocated to Connecticut. Her sons attended the $55,900-a-year Collegiate School on Manhattan's Upper West Side. Her daughter is believed to have attended the $57,385-a-year Spence School on the Upper East Side. 'We loved our schools,' she said. 'Loved our teachers, loved the students and faculty and parents. 'They were definitely leftist - we are more center right - but that was fine; my whole family are Democrats. 'But then they went hard left, and then they started to take a really hard turn toward social justice stuff.'
The Sun
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
I had my fourth child at 43 & now I'm 51 – people think I had my child too old & I disagree but there IS a cut off point
A MUM who welcomed her fourth child at the age of 43 has reignited the debate on how old is too old to have children. Natalie Heptinstall, 51, from Doncaster, has previously faced criticism for being an older mum, with trolls branding her 'incredibly selfish' and even claiming her child would grow up to be a 'monster'. Despite the negativity, Natalie continues to advocate for the benefits of being an older parent, sharing her experiences with her followers on TikTok under the handle @ natalie_heptinstall. Natalie, whose eldest child is 26 and youngest is nearly seven, recently took to her TikTok page to open up about the double standards surrounding older parents. She questioned why men aren't scrutinised in the same way as women when it comes to having children later in life. Reflecting on her own journey, Natalie said: 'I had my last child at 43, and it was a really positive experience. "I'm a huge advocate for speaking positively about the benefits of being an older parent, but I definitely feel there's a cut-off point.' Recently, Natalie shared her thoughts on Amanda Byram, the former Total Wipeout host, who gave birth to her first child at the age of 51. Natalie explained that there's "definitely a cut-off point" when it comes to people saying 'Oh, congratulations, good luck,' and others being "horrified and judgemental" for having a baby at specific age. She also highlighted the disparity in how society views older fathers versus older mothers. Natalie explained that "nobody bats an eyelid" if a man is 50 plus and having a child, and male celebrities who father children in their later year are "rarely questioned." She added: 'Meanwhile, with Amanda, the entire article focused on her age, and her husband's age wasn't even mentioned.' I have a 3-year-old & I don't think kids are worth it - trolls call me a 'bad mum' but I want to warn other women Natalie expressed frustration at the lack of progress in attitudes towards older mothers, asking her followers, 'How old is too old to have a child? What are your thoughts?' In the caption section, Natalie she also explained that she is a "huge advocate" for speaking positively about the benefits of being an older parent, but she " definitely feels there's a cut-off point." Natalie's TikTok video went viral within 24 hours gaining one million views and 3,483 comments. It sparked a range of responses, with many rushing to share their thoughts and start a debate. One wrote: "It's not fair on the child having an old parent." While a second added: "I personally don't think it's fair on a child." 2 But someone else said: "My mum had me at 32. "I remember how embarrassed I used be that my mum was much older than the other mums. "She must only been 40 at the time but to me it was old." However, another added: "I find some comments awful, you could have a child at 25 and die at 28, or have one at 49 and live until your 90... life isn't guaranteed." And one TikToker said: "A friend of mine passed away age 29, leaving a child behind. You can die at any time. "It is usual for a woman in the UK to die in her eighties now, so a 51-year-old baby should be an adult when they pass." Here's why I love being a young mum Tracy Kiss, who fell pregnant at 19, has revealed what she believes are the pros of being a young mother. The personal trainer and blogger, from Buckinghamshire, believes women who give birth in their teens make BETTER mothers than those in their 30s. She claims young mums snap back into shape quicker, have more energy and relate more easily to their children, meaning they're better behaved and happier. Tracy told Fabulous: "Women who become first-time mums in their teens make better parents than those in their 30s or 40s. "I believe if I'd been 10 or so years older before becoming a mother then I wouldn't have the relationship I have with my children now. "For a start, being older I would have had less energy and therefore less patience. "I wouldn't be as enthusiastic to speak to people after months of sleepless nights as I was in my teens. "My body snapped back to its pre-pregnancy size through fitness post-birth, which in turn gave me the confidence to date and find love again. I've never been happier than I am now at the age of 30 with two children. "If I'd have been alone at 40 with a newborn baby I'd be more tired, less happy with my body, less energetic and far more stressed from the shock of living my life for myself instead of putting others first. Sometimes age and the innocence of ignorance is a good thing. "As a teen mum I just got on with it, found my feet and became responsible and capable because at the time I didn't know any different."
