Later pregnancies may be good thing, BMJ 8 October 2005

In a letter to the editor, Dr Tim Heymann, honorary senior lecturer at Tanaka Business School, argues that from an economic perspective, later pregnancies may be a good thing.

"Which career first? Economic perspective on later pregnancy is positive

EDITOR—The concept that fertility wanes with increasing age is not new. We do not need research to show that in vitro fertilisation and obstetric complications cost the NHS more than unassisted, uncomplicated pregnancies.

However, to say that a rise in maternal age in itself may be expensive begs the question "for whom?" Women who spend longer in education and then climb a competitive career ladder are likely to have higher lifetime earnings, pay more in tax, make fewer demands on the welfare state, and enjoy better health than those who leave school and start their families earlier.

From society's economic standpoint—the perspective of United Kingdom plc—later pregnancies, which the authors accept may pose little absolute risk to the mother, may be a good thing."

Timothy D Heymann, honorary senior lecturer in health management