Women who are aged 40 and over should no longer consider receiving IVF treatment, according to a recent survey.
The survey of more than 2,000 people across the United Kingdom found 31 percent think the currengt age limit of 42 for IVF on the National Health Service (NHS) is too old. Almost three quarters of thos surveyed do not think women should receive IVF to help conceive beyond their natural childbearing. A quarter believe women should stop trying to conceive past the age of 40 while the cut-off for men should be 43. Approximately 26 percent said they thought 40 should be the maximum age limit for either the NHS or private treatment.
One of the survey participants, Malone, now 51, had her first child at the age of 17. She said: "People might consider me over the hill and too old to be a mom, but physically, emotionally, mentally and financially I am much better off now, as a mom at 50, than I was a mom at 17 when nobody criticized me for having a baby. I have more stamina and energy than most 27-year-olds, and all the time to give to my baby. Of course there has to be a cut-off, but if you are fit and healthy and financially secure, then you should be allowed to to have a child at 50."
When the participants were asked what they think is the most ideal age for one to have a baby, majority responded by saying 27 years old. Susanne Dinnage, managing director of Discovery Networks UK, said: "The findings reveal that most people believe 40 should be the cut-off for parenthood."
