Late Babies - Having a baby after 35 - Sandra McLean

They are the new face of Australian motherhood - women over 35 who are having their first baby. But what makes a woman defy the biological clock and wait until she is in her mid-thirties or early forties to have a baby? Career keeping her up at night? Can't find Mr Right? If only it was that simple.

In 'Late Babies' journalist Sandra McLean gets the inside story on the trend to older motherhood that is changing the face of Australian society. With women over 35 the fastest growing group of mothers and what happened after they gave birth.

These are life-changing stories from inspiring women such as magazine editor Deborah Thomas, journalist Juanita Phillips, manager Marian Hudson and fashion columnist Maggie Alderson. They share their experience of older motherhood, from the profound joy of a 'miracle' natural pregnancy after miscarriages and failed fertility treatments, to the emotional roller-coaster ride of IVF and the search for satisfaction once the baby is born.

Their stories take us beyond the media myth of the superwoman who simply wants to 'have it all' - career, partner and family. Their experiences show us that the reality is very different and the journey to having that much-loved late baby is a lot like life itself - full of unexpected pleasure and pain. But worth every minute.

Sandra McLean is a journalist with 22 years' experience working in newspapers in Australia and UK. She lives in Brisbane with her husband, journalist and author Phil Brown, and their 'late baby', Hamish.

Review:
Moving real-life stories. An eye opener to younger and older women on our future generation.