Do Older Mothers Live Longer? The Science of Pregnancy and Ageing

Can having a baby later in life really help you live longer? And what do scientists actually mean when they say pregnancy changes your biological age?

This week on The Family Tribe, Afif and Anne investigate the research behind the headlines linking motherhood, ageing and longevity. They explore the remarkable demands pregnancy places on the body, changes in biological ageing markers during pregnancy and after birth, and why having your first baby later is a different question from having your last baby later.

Along the way, they discuss telomeres, epigenetic clocks, genetics, menopause and family size, asking whether later motherhood might reflect better underlying health rather than cause a longer life.

There is also Anne’s recollection of planning her family around turning 35, a discussion of age-related pregnancy risks, and some strong feelings about the phrase “geriatric pregnancy”.

With plenty of teasing and a healthy scepticism towards Instagram science, this is a conversation about understanding the evidence without turning it into another reproductive deadline. Your child’s birth certificate cannot predict your lifespan.