For ages, we’ve been told that fertility drops off a cliff at 35 and that having a baby in your 40s is “risky” or “selfish.” But here’s the reality: birth rates for women aged 40-44 have been steadily rising, while birth rates for younger women have declined.

So, if more women are successfully having children later in life, why does the stigma remain? And more importantly, how do we navigate the negativity?

📈 The Rise of 40+ Motherhood

Recent data shows that birth rates among women 40-44 are at their highest levels in decades, while births among women in their 20s and early 30s have dropped significantly. This shift is happening for several reasons:

✅ Career & Financial Stability – Many women now prioritize education, careers, and financial security before starting a family.
✅ Medical Advancements – Fertility treatments, egg freezing, and better prenatal care have made later pregnancies safer.
✅ Shifting Priorities – Women are redefining timelines, focusing on what’s right for them, rather than outdated societal expectations.
✅ Better Health & Longevity – With healthier lifestyles and longer life expectancy, having a baby at 40+ is not as unusual as it once was.

Yet, despite this reality, the stigma around “older motherhood” persists.

🙄 The Stigma: “Aren’t You Too Old for This?”

Even as more women embrace motherhood later in life, they’re still met with comments like:

❌ “Isn’t pregnancy at 40 risky?”
❌ “Won’t you be too old to keep up with your child?”
❌ “Why did you wait so long?”

These unhelpful comments stem from outdated narratives, fear-mongering around fertility, and a cultural obsession with youth as the “ideal” time to have children. But science, real-life success stories, and shifting trends prove otherwise.

🛑 How to Navigate Negativity & Own Your Journey

If you’re trying to conceive (or already expecting) in your 40s, here’s how to handle criticism with confidence:

1️⃣ Arm Yourself with Facts

When people bring up outdated myths, respond with the truth:

✔ Fact: Pregnancy risks exist at any age, and medical advancements make later pregnancies safer than ever.
✔ Fact: Women in their 40s are giving birth at increasing rates, proving that it’s possible and common.
✔ Fact: Emotional maturity, financial stability, and life experience can make parenting in your 40s even more rewarding.

2️⃣ Set Boundaries with Negativity

You don’t owe anyone an explanation. If someone questions your choices, respond with:

🗣️ “This is the right path for me, and I’m excited about it.”
🗣️ “There’s no one-size-fits-all timeline for motherhood.”
🗣️ “Thank you for your concern, but I’m confident in my journey.”

3️⃣ Find Your Support System

Surround yourself with women who understand your experience. Join:

Online communities for 40+ moms
Fertility support groups
Family and friends who uplift and encourage you

Also invaluable: find doctors and health professionals who will be supportive, constructive, and innovative! Hearing the same ‘over 35’ speech we’re all tired of is no help! More on signs of a supportive specialist here.

4️⃣ Celebrate Your Strength & Resilience

You’ve built a life, overcome challenges, and now you’re creating a family on your own terms. That is something to be proud of—not ashamed of.

🎉 The Bottom Line

Motherhood at 40+ is no longer an exception—it’s a growing trend. The world may still have to catch up to this reality, but in the meantime, own your journey with confidence, block out the noise, and embrace this incredible chapter of your life.

✨ Your timeline is the right timeline. ✨

How have you dealt with this stigma?

Would love to hear your thoughts, so please let me know in the comments 🙂