by Sandra Hollows
Not only is it a physical challenge to be pregnant, but for some women it is a huge hurdle just to fall pregnant. Add to that, the reality that men can continue to father children at almost any age, yet women are facing a ticking time bomb. If they do not make the decision early enough, then their age can ruin their chances forever. Women are under extreme pressure to have children and have them young.
So what about when life gets in the way of motherhood?
Most women have a desire to have children. Some women chose not to take the path of motherhood, and that's ok too. The current role of women in society has however made the task somewhat a confusing one
To ask women to become unnaturally thin is to ask them to relinquish their sexuality.
—Naomi Wolf (b. 1962)
Why are Careers Damaging?
Many women may chose to follow a career path, joining their male counterparts in successful and industrious careers. This can be highly satisfying and rewarding, and women overall are now accepted to be equally capable in any career they chose.
The disadvantages of this, of course are that women have a body clock, and one that ticks rapidly after 30. Assuming that a woman has a partner at this age, trying to conceive in the early 30's if it has not been an option earlier is the best decision. This is not often the case though and some women have to battle the fact that they may be too old for a baby!
If you consider that by the time a woman finishes high school, college and university she may well be in her mid to late twenties. Now armed with the task of establishing herself in her field this could well take a few years placing her in the late twenties to early thirties age group. With the extra task of finding the perfect partner, the entire situation for many women just seems too confusing, or one filled with sacrifice.
Every man has been brought up with the idea that decent women don’t pop in and out of bed; he has always been told by his mother that “nice girls don’t.” He finds, of course, when he gets older that this may be untrue—but only in a certain section of society.
—Barbara Cartland (b. 1901)
Is sacrifice necessary?
In truth, the choice between parenting and career always comes with sacrifice. The most difficult thing in society these days is that with an increase in the average age of a first time mother heading well towards 30, that the perception it is ok to have children at an older age is misleading many women and leading them to a path of fertility treatments.
It is absolutely fine whichever path a woman chooses, but before choosing a path dedicated to her career, a woman needs to consider how she would cope with facing the possibilities of never having children if her career path doesn't allow her to take time off for a motherhood role. Leaving first attempts at pregnancy until age 30 and beyond is seeing many career women placed in this exact situation. I know your pain and I want to help ease it!! After a 9 year struggle through a journey of infertility, emotional and financial heartbreak I am now a proud mother. Join my free newsletter loaded with interesting facts advice and information at my website: http://myfertilityquest.blogspot.com Take a look around my site for more great information and stories about what you can do to improve your chances at realizing your dream of parenthood. See you there!