The pros and cons of IVF for older women

Monday, 18 January 2010 23:34

Many feel strongly as to whether older women should be allowed to conceive. Some people feel that an older mother may not be able to care for her baby as well as someone younger, and also that it is unfair to a child to lose a parent when very young.

However, young people die too and age is no indicator of longevity. More and more older people in general are remaining healthy and active well into their advancing years, and many post-menopausal women, are fit and healthy enough to care for their child and live to a ripe old age.

The bottom line is that the child should have a good loving home, which Older parents can provide, often with excellent resources in terms of both finances and time. Legally there is no upper age limit, according to The Telegraph, and with new scientific advances in fertility treatments the boundaries could be pushed back even further resulting in possible pregnancies in women in their 70s..

Professor Ian Craft, fertility expert, says there is no reason why IVF should not be given women in their 50's as some post-menopausal women have indeed given birth.

There are few UK clinics which support IVF for women in their 50s but very often older women travel to countries where fertility treatment is allowed.

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