| Most women over 35 are fearful of having a baby | | | | older parents, etc. |
| because they view the common misconceptions as | | | | FACT: What is unfair is for a child to be raised in an |
| truth. My goal is to ease their fears by dispelling the | | | | unloving environment. I've talked with many adults |
| myths with facts. Let's look at two popular myths. | | | | who were raised by parents who neglected them. |
| MYTH : Mothers over 35 do not have the energy to | | | | Fortunately, a grandparent filled the void with lots of |
| attend to the needs of a baby. | | | | love and care. I've never heard any of these adults |
| FACT: I always laugh when I hear this one. Show me | | | | complain or make reference to their grandparents' |
| a mother under or over 35 who doesn't feel | | | | age. |
| overwhelmed at times especially doing the first year | | | | I do believe that all parents, young and old, should |
| of motherhood and I'll show you a mother who's in | | | | have a plan in case they become disabled or suffer a |
| denial. Or she has a slew of servants. | | | | long-term sickness. This will alleviate some of the |
| The average newborn cries more than any new | | | | burden for their children. |
| mom ever anticipates. The average newborn sleeps | | | | Interestingly, studies show current older mothers are |
| from 15 minutes to 2 hours before waking up for | | | | better educated, more stable and displayed more |
| feeding. | | | | patience and other qualities that were beneficial to |
| Translation: The best scenario with the best baby. | | | | the development of a child. Combined with love a |
| Mom gets to bed at 11:00 p.m. She is awaken at | | | | child soars in this environment. |
| midnight by the sweet whimper of her newborn. She | | | | Perhaps, the best response to this myth can be |
| is awakened at 2 a.m by the sweet whimper of her | | | | found in an article written a few years ago, the May |
| newborn. She is awaken at 4 a.m. by the crying of | | | | June 2002 issue of AARP Modern Maturity magazine. |
| her newborn. Baby does not want to go back to | | | | In this article Richard Paulson, M.D. chief of |
| sleep until 5a.m. You tell me what woman whether | | | | reproductive endocrinology and infertility at the |
| she is 25, 35, or 45 wouldn't feel zapped after | | | | University of Southern California School of Medicine |
| getting out of bed several times at night to feed or | | | | says the orphan issue is overblown and points to |
| just to hold and comfort her crying baby? | | | | former patient who in 1996, at age 63 became the |
| The truth is taking care of a baby is hard work and | | | | oldest woman in the world to give birth. |
| does require lots of energy. It's important to eat | | | | At the time of the article the former patient was 69 |
| healthy and, every now and then, to allow people | | | | and her daughter was five. Both were healthy, |
| you trust to watch your little one for an hour or two | | | | though the former patient was receiving help with |
| while you take a break. | | | | childcare. Guess who was helping her? Her 90 year |
| MYTH : It is unfair to a child to have older parents. | | | | old mother! |
| Children will become orphans or have to take care of | | | | |