London, England, Jan 15, 2019 / 19:19 pm
In-vitro fertilization clinics in Britain are increasingly helping women over age 55 to conceive children because there is currently no legal age limit for the treatment, according to news reports.
"Women have been expected to cram all their life tasks into 15 years between the age of 25 and 40, including having a career, finding a man and having children," Dr. Nick Macklon, medical director of the London Women's Clinic, was quoted as saying in the Daily Mail.
"The technology we have opens that up so that they have longer. We believe an age limit for them to deliver at 54 is reasonable."
Women are at greater risk of miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth if they conceive after menopause, which occurs on average at age 51 for British women. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, a British professional organization, recommends women have children between the ages of 20-35, and women older than 40 are considered to be at a higher risk of pregnancy complications.