Older celebrity mums 'promote myth of fertility'
Extracts from the Telegraph:
"Celebrities who give birth in their 40s promote a dangerous myth of older motherhood, a fertility expert has warned.
The glamorous image of 40-something Hollywood mothers hides the reality of increased risk of infertility and birth complications, according to Prof Brian Lieberman, an adviser to the government body that regulates IVF clinics.
High-profile actresses who have become older mothers in recent months include Halle Berry, who had her first child on Sunday at 41, and Marcia Cross, the Desperate Housewives star, who delivered twins at 44.
Prof Lieberman warned that the risk of miscarriage rises from 15 per cent to 25 per cent for mothers over 40 and there was a greater chance of Down's syndrome."
"Other well-known older mothers include the singer Madonna, who gave birth to her son Rocco when she was 42 in 2000, and Salma Hayek, the actress, who became a mother last year at 41. Kidman, 40, confirmed in January that she was three months pregnant.
Older mothers are also at greater risk of diabetes, high blood pressure and are more likely to have a caesarean."
See also advice for pregnant mothers
var sc_project=1725605;
var sc_invisible=0;
var sc_partition=16;
var sc_security="acf71b9a";