More women over 40 entering motherhood

More and more Brit women aged 40 and above are following the footsteps of Hollywood stars like Nicole Kidman and entering motherhood in later life.

London, Feb 29 : More and more Brit women aged 40 and above are following the footsteps of Hollywood stars like Nicole Kidman and entering motherhood in later life.

According to the official figures, 25,400 mothers conceived in a year, which was an increase of six per cent.

There were 12.2 conceptions for every 1,000 women over 40 in 2006 compared to 11.5 before and in London the number went up to 22 per 1,000.

"There are a lot of celebrities like Nicole Kidman who delay pregnancies now, making it more socially acceptable," The Sun quoted Tony Kerridge, of sexual health agency Marie Stopes International, as saying.

"Things are moving ahead with fertility techniques so it may be a trend we will see continue," he added.

The figures also revealed that there were 221,400 pregnancies between 25-29 years of age and the rates also increased 7,500 for those in their 30s.

The conceptions outside marriage have also increased from 47 per cent in 1995 to 56 per cent at present.

ANI