Probing The Limits !

Australian IVF Clinics apply a " responsible " limit of 53 years of age beyond which they will not attempt to produce a pregnancy.    They were therefore shocked to learn that an Australian Mum has just given birth at age 65 and whose partner is aged 78.

A closer examination reveals that this is not all it seems at first glance.   This was a donor assisted pregnancy that was conceived overseas and the woman returned to Australia to receive an emergency Cesarian birth at a private hospital.  She successfully gave birth to a baby girl.

The Gynaecology people have very clear ideas on age and childbirth.   The human body " wears out " as it ages and there is a natural limit beyond which pregnancy is pushing the limits.    The ideal ages for women to have children is between 18 and 25.    While it is possible to give birth later in life this enters the argumentative divide between what is " possible " and what is " desirable " !

In today's world, a lot of couples consciously decide not to have children.    In many cases this is because they are not prepared to have their offspring face the risks and dangers that a grossly unfair world has in store for its future citizens.    We live on the threshold of a nuclear apocalypse and there is a very real doubt as to whether planet Earth is capable of feeding the numbers anticipated by mid century.

There is also the issue of parental responsibility.    If we produce a child we are legally responsible for providing adequate shelter, clothing, food and care.   If we fail to meet that obligation the state may intervene and take the child into care and even declare it a ward of the state and hand it to another family to legally adopt.   Bringing a child into the world entails a degree of responsibility until that person achieves the age of eighteen, whereupon they are deemed to achieve an adult responsibility for their own welfare.

Having children later in life extends the natural life cycle where parents and their children enjoy a degree of interaction with others of similar age group to achieve a similar lifestyle, but that only applies within limitations.    We all adopt a generational change as we age and it becomes less likely that juvenile tolerance will prevail the longer that age cycle is stretched.

The problem is that while IVF facilities in Australia are firmly within the grasp of Federal government regulation, that is not the case with facilities provided by our near neighbouring countries.    Now that an older mother has been successful in producing a child many of the " for profit "  laboratories may use social media to tap into the latent demand that career advancement is inflicting on modern women.

What worries many concerned with child care is the age demographics the birth of this little girl will impose on her childhood.   When she reaches the age of eighteen, her mother will be be 81 - if she is still alive, and her mothers partner will be 96.    Even given the advancing life expectancy of the twenty-first century, it is unlikely that the teenage years will be harmonious.

That seems a very good reason that Australian IVF clinics will not extend their deadline beyond the present 53 year limit !