Many women now opt to have children when they are in their 30’s and 40’s and some women are choosing to wait until they are in their 50’s. Some women prefer to travel and enjoy their career before making the decision to have a baby, but what are the dangers?

Last month scientists announced they had discovered a way to reverse the menopause and rejuvenating women’s ovaries which means later life pregnancies could become a definite possibility. A few weeks ago an Australian woman gave birth at the age of 62 with the help of IVF and it has raised the debate again of whether a woman should have a baby at such a later stage in her life.

A woman’s ability to conceive naturally lessons as she get’s older. Our eggs are stored in our ovaries and released every month when we menstruate. Apparently around 400 eggs are released monthly until the 4 million we started with are all gone and we hit the menopause.

The number of women having children in their 30’s has doubled over the last 25 years when it was more common for women to get pregnant in their 20’s.  So what are the risks getting pregnant later on in life?

Apparently women over the age of 30 are twice as likely to suffer from complications such as pre-eclampsia (life threatening high blood pressure) and twice as likely to have gestational diabetes.  The risk of dying during pregnancy or Childbirth increases along with the risk of the unborn baby having downs syndrome and more than half of women aged 40 or over need a caesarean and can’t give birth naturally which can cause complications for both mother and unborn child.

These risks get worse when a woman waits until she is in her 40’s or 50’s. Mothers in this age group are 5 to 6 times more likely to die after the first few weeks of giving birth compared to younger mothers. There is also more chance a woman will have a miscarriage than a live birth in this age bracket and babies born to mothers of this age are 2 times more likely to be born prematurely and have a low birth rate.

IVF is an option many women take when deciding to have a baby later on in life as it can give a greater chance of success, especially if the woman has gone through or is going through the menopause. The woman can take a donor egg and embryo from a younger, fertile woman which gives her a better chance of getting pregnant.

But this is also risky as a pregnancy later in life puts a woman at a higher risk of a stroke. IVF also has a smaller chance of success the older the mother is. Some IVF clinics do not offer IVF treatment to women over 50 but there is no law that suggests a cut off age so clinics can take each case on an individual basis.

Deciding to have a baby later on in life is something a woman should consider carefully to make sure she understands the risks involved and can make an informed decision on whether a later life pregnancy is the best option for her and her unborn baby.

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Searching for a pediatrician to care for your child can often times seem like a long and daunting task, no matter the sexual orientation of the couple.

After all, this is the person that is going to look after the well-being, health, and growth of your newborn well into his or her teen years, so choosing the right fit is a definite must.

However, for same-sex couples, finding a pediatrician can sometimes be even more difficult or even a bit scary. There’s no question that discrimination against LGBT couples in the medical world does exist, but that shouldn’t discourage you from finding the best possible care for your child.

Here are some helpful tips to consider when looking for an LGBT-friendly pediatrician…

Do Your Research

There are some really great resources out there when it comes to searching for the right pediatrician.

Check out The Gay and Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA) or The Human Rights Campaign Healthcare Equality Index websites for directories of healthcare providers that could be well-suited for you, your partner, and your child.

Doing the proper research prior to your child’s birth is also ideal since you don’t want to be stuck without a pediatrician after he or she is born, and the process of searching and interviewing can take quite a lot of time.

Ask for Referrals from Friends

Word of mouth is one of the best ways to find a pediatrician. Ask your same-sex couple friends who are parents who their pediatrician is and if they are happy with them.

You can also ask your same-sex friends who don’t have children who their healthcare provider is to see if their office can refer you to a pediatrician that is LBGT-friendly.

Set Up Interviews

If you’ve found a doctor you think might potentially be a good fit, set up an appointment so that you and your partner can get a feel for him or her. Be sure to write down any questions you might have.

It’s also important to make sure the doctor feels comfortable answering any questions you might have in the same manner he or she would with a straight couple, as well as making sure both parents are interacted with equally.

You don’t want a pediatrician who feels that one of you is more of the “parent” than the other.

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Honesty is the Best Policy

Make sure you are up front with your potential pediatrician right from the start. It’s not only important to be open and honest about your sexuality, but also with your intent to raise the child in a same-sex household.

And as with any doctor, be open and honest about your medical histories as well as with any concerns either of you may have.

Work With Your Doctor

Whether it’s the first time your chosen doctor has worked with an LGBT family, or they have plenty of experience with same-sex couples, don’t be afraid to help your doctor with any questions he or she might have.

All of you have the child’s best interests at heart, so working together will ensure the child will be as healthy and happy as they can be…and the mommies will be just as happy knowing their child is in good, caring hands!

When the time is nearing for your baby to arrive, things can get a bit hectic around the house.

And while you and your partner have probably gone over the newborn necessities checklist so many times you can recite it by heart, there’s a chance you may have missed something in all of the baby planning chaos.

Here’s a look at a few things that will help you maximize that checklist and get you as prepared as two new moms can possibly be for the big change that’s about to come your way

Choose a Paediatrician

Although this seems like an obvious thing to do, it can often times be forgotten until parents realize their baby is sick. And if you haven’t chosen a pediatrician before your child is born, it can be difficult to find one at the last minute that you entrust your child’s wellbeing with.

So take your time before the birth to find the perfect pediatrician fit for you.

A good way to do this it through recommendations from friends and family. And don’t be afraid to make calls and set up consultations to help you find the right doctor.

Freeze Meals Ahead of Time

Once the baby is home, it’s going to be a hectic and stressful time, not to mention tiring. Let’s face it, nobody is going to be in the mood to cook. Before your due date, be sure to stock up your fridge with healthy food options. It’s also a great idea to make freezable meals ahead of time.

That way all you have to do is warm them up in the oven and your good to go without having to worry about what to cook for dinner on top of everything else.

Pack Your Hospital Bag

It’s a good idea to have a hospital bad packed for you and the baby ahead of time. Must haves to include in the bag are toiletries and personal items, socks, lip balm, and snacks. Personalize your bad so that it fits your needs, and don’t forget to have your partner bring her own bag as well since she’s most likely going to be spending her time at the hospital with you.

Wash Crib Sheets and Baby Clothes

It’s always a good idea to wash anything that will be coming in to contact with the baby’s skin. And while you don’t have to wash everything all at once, pre-wash at least a week’s worth of clothing before the baby’s arrival so you don’t have to worry about doing laundry while you’re recovering from childbirth and taking care of the baby.

Make a Labor Playlist

It might not even be something you considered putting on your checklist, but so many moms have sworn by the calming feelings the get from listing to music while in labor. So take the time to go through your favorite songs and make  yourself a playlist. Music has proven to be therapeutic for many different situations, and childbirth is no exception.