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Are you ever too old to have a baby?

The Global Story

In countries across the world women are deciding to delay motherhood. Increased access to education, more career opportunities and less financial stability means that more and more women are having children later in life. But fewer babies now, could mean more economic pressures on the rest of us in the future. We explore this complex topic with the BBC's population correspondent Stephanie Hegarty and Joyce Harper, professor of reproductive science at University College London.

The Global Story brings trusted insights from BBC experts around the world, with Katya Adler. We need you to help us understand and tell The Global Story. Email ideas and thoughts to theglobalstory@bbc.com. You can also message or leave a voice note on WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.

Today’s podcast was made by Alice Aylett Roberts, Beth Timmins and Miriam Quayyum. The technical producers were Mike Regaard and Hannah Montgomery. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

Intro

Hello. I'm Katya Adler from the BBC World Service. This is the Global Story. Monday to Friday, we focus on one story in detail. With the help of the BBC's best journalists around the world. Women are having fewer babies, and mothers are getting older and older. More women are having children in their forties, fifties and even in their sixties and seventies.

Today we're asking why are women choosing to have babies later in life and what are the consequences for all of us?

With me today is the BBC's population correspondent Stephanie Hegarty. And also Professor Joyce Harper. She heads up the Reproductive Science and Society Group at UCL's EGA Institute for Women's Health. She's also a regular contributor to the BBC on topics about fertility.

Katya Adler - So let's start, since we're talking about older mums, I think we're all older mums here.

I mean, I had my first child at 36 and my third at 42 and I was half laughing and half horrified at being referred to already with my first child as a geriatric mum.

Stephanie Hegarty - You know what? I was delighted that, that never I had my first child last year, so 37, nearly 38. And I was delighted that that never came up because I scoured the documents I was given to see if I was being referred to as a geriatric mother.

Professor Joyce Harper - I think it might have changed recently by my first 39, so no one said it to me. But then I'm in the field, so I don't think that it did say that.

Katya Adler - They were scared of you?

Professor Joyce Harper - I think so.

Katya Adler - Stephanie, we've introduced as the BBC's population correspondent, amazing that the BBC BBC's decided to have somebody dedicated in their job entirely to to population.

Stephanie Hegarty - Yeah, I think the thinking was that it affects so many of the stories that have been really important over the last decade as far as migration, you know, the migrant crisis, demographic changes becoming such a talking point, especially in East Asia, where we're talking about population decline and then population growth in Africa, where I used to report from and I'm familiar with…

A hospital in London has told more than 130 patients that their eggs and embryos might have accidentally been damaged. What does this incident tell us about the UK’s fertility services?

What does this incident tell us about the UK's fertility services?

Semsemaker - When Egg Freezing Goes Wrong
BBC Health

Earlier this year Guy's and St Thomas' hospital in London contacted 136 patients with urgent news. In September and October 2022, the hospital unknowingly used faulty solution to freeze patients' eggs and embryos, potentially destroying them.

Joyce is Professor of Reproductive Science at the EGA Institute for Women’s Health, University College London.  She has been a leader in the field of fertility, genetics and reproductive health since 1987. As well as being an established scientist with over 200 scientific publications, Joyce is a passionate educator of the public and students at all levels, from school children to PhD level.

Joyce studied a BSc in Biochemistry, has a PhD in Pharmacology and started her career as a clinical embryologist at the London Fertility Centre.  In 1992 she joined the much loved and respected “in vitro” pioneer Lord Robert Winston to work on preimplantation genetic diagnosis at the Hammersmith Hospital. She is the mother of three sons born through IVF and she shares her own journey with us.

Episode Description

In this episode, Professor Joyce Harper, Professor of Reproductive Science at the EGA Institute for Women’s Health, shares her incredible journey and expert insights into fertility, genetics and reproductive health—a field she has led since 1987. With over 200 scientific publications to her name, Professor Joyce Harper is not only an established scientist but also a passionate educator who engages audiences ranging from school children to PhD candidates.

After earning a BSc in Biochemistry and a PhD in Pharmacology, Professor Joyce Harper began her career as a clinical embryologist at the London Fertility Centre. In 1992, she joined the renowned “in vitro” pioneer Lord Robert Winston at Hammersmith Hospital to work on preimplantation genetic diagnosis. As a mother of three sons born through IVF, she also opens up about her personal journey with infertility and the emotional impact it can have.

Key Takeaways

• Women are born with 1–2 million eggs, but by puberty, most have perished.
• The quantity and quality of eggs decline as we age—comparing eggs from a 28-year-old to those of a 38-year-old shows a marked difference.
• Data reveal that around 20% of post-reproductive age women in the UK are childless, with many circumstances beyond personal choice.
• Experiencing infertility can be traumatic, and that trauma often lingers.
• After the age of 35, the risks of miscarriage and infertility increase dramatically.
• Professor Joyce Harper advises against using blood tests as a sole indicator for fertility or menopause status.
• The conversation also touches on solo-motherhood and how emotional factors can cause couples to discontinue fertility treatments.

Best Moments

• Discovering why the early thirties are considered a crucial time for starting a family.
• Insight into how most miscarriages are linked to chromosomal abnormalities.
• A candid discussion on assigning responsibility for infertility and determining when to seek help.
• The emphasis on the importance of making an informed choice when it comes to reproductive health.
• A thought-provoking comment on how our ovaries haven’t quite kept pace with the advancements in feminism.
• A memorable moment where Professor Joyce Harper reveals, "I never wanted to be an IVF patient."
• Powerful messages tailored especially for midlife women.
• A light-hearted glimpse into her past with the comment, "Joyce was a bit of a lad!"

About the Host

Dr Gill Barham is an internationally recognised author, speaker, speaker trainer, broadcast presenter, and elite Holistic Health Coach who advocates passionately for self-care. Her podcast, Radiant Menopause, is dedicated to debunking myths, informing, and educating women (and men) about the transition into midlife. Her mission is to empower women to make the most of their “wisdom” years.

Dr Gill Barham combines her experience from public speaking engagements, UK and international wellbeing events, and retreats to deliver transformational insights. She initially studied music for her first degree before qualifying as a Registered General Nurse in the UK, and for the past eight years, she has been delving into functional medicine. Her transformational work has earned her a Doctorate Honoris Causa from the Academy of Universal Global Peace, a Peace Award from the Universal Peace Federation, and membership in esteemed organisations such as WAoFP (Worldwide Association of Female Professionals) Europe and the Association of Transformational Leaders.

Her humanitarian efforts include running the domestic abuse awareness campaign SPOT THE SIGNS—an initiative that continues to make a difference during lockdown and beyond. She also hosts The Life You Deserve podcast, where she interviews experts and survivors to highlight ways of recognising and supporting potential victims of domestic violence.

Connect with Dr Gill Barham:

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