“Women who had their last child after 33 were twice as likely to live to 95 or older, compared with those who had their last child by 29.”
So, it seems that there have been a few studies going on over the years that are indicating a substantial relation between older maternal age and lifespan longevity. It seems that women who are having babies naturally, without medical intervention, after the age of 33 are way more likely to make it into their nineties! OMG. Brooklyn must be loaded with future super old ladies- watch out! Do late kids really mean a long life? Here’s a fascinating article that explains the whole concept, in depth. “If you physically delay having children, that’s not going to help with longevity, Paola Sebastiani, a Boston University biostatistics professor and study co-author, told OZY. A woman with a natural ability to have children later in life suggests that her body – including her reproductive system – just happens to age at a slow pace. Some women’s biological clocks simply tick more slowly than most.” In some really logical ways, this makes sense.
Almost a year ago (in February) I had my son at New York-Presbyterian, Weill Cornell. I could not be more of a fan of any hospital whatsoever; they have saved my life a couple of times with grace and professionalism and, for childbirth, are incredible. They’ve seen me through two. For my son, I was 39 years old during labor, and it was a long one! During the 17 hours of contractions, as the nurses came in to check on me and ask me if I needed a painkiller, I wondered if I was the oldest of the 11 women on the floor at that point giving birth. “No, you are the youngest,” the nurse said. Wow. New York, great hospital, Upper East Side, new times, women living fuller lives, and luck all combined? Maybe they all had help getting pregnant? I didn’t. Maybe a few were like me? I know that we women in New York City push the advanced maternal age envelope bar none, but is there something to be said for it just happening naturally so late? Take a read and decide for yourself. Food for thought at least.
Rebecca Conroy is an artist, stylist, and Former Editor of A Child Grows in Brooklyn. She is from New York City, and has an MFA from Columbia University in screenwriting. Rebecca often finds herself on film and photography sets making things run or look better, and is the mom of two outrageously wonderful kids.