The new guideline to doctors comes amid growing concerns about the number of women delaying childbearing.

The new guideline to doctors comes amid growing concerns about the number of women delaying childbearing. In Canada, 11 per cent of first births now occur in women aged 35 and older, up from five per cent in 1987.

Photograph by: Thinkstock, canada.com


Men, and not just women, need to be aware of the "reproductive consequences" of postponing parenthood, new national guidelines on the risks of delayed child-bearing warn.


Though women especially should recognize that their "fecundity and fertility" starts to decline precipitously after 32, a man's semen quality and fertility also worsens with age, according to guidelines endorsed by the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada.


In addition, babies born to fathers of "advanced paternal age" — defined as 40 and older at the time of conception — are at increased risk of genetic disorders, as well as schizophrenia, autism and some forms of cancer, according to the authors.


The new guideline to doctors comes amid growing concerns about the number of women delaying childbearing. In Canada, 11 per cent of first births now occur in women aged 35 and older, up from five per cent in 1987.


If the trend holds, society can expect to spend more on intensive care, special care nurseries and community services for children born to older parents who may have developmental, hearing, speech or language problems, the authors say.


Read more: http://www.canada.com/health/Postponing+parenthood+could+have+serious+consequences+warns+study/6007363/story.html#ixzz1jjrwcZMI