This project is about celebrating the strength of women and it is also about challenging misconceptions such as “it’s dangerous to have a child after 40” or “it’s too difficult to be an older mum”. We also want to put the spotlight on women who may have waited to have a child because they were focused on their career in their 20’s and 30’s or women who conceived after a long time of trying to get pregnant or trying treatments such as IVF. We are hoping to develop a series of honest, intimate and raw portraits of mothers with their child.
Patricia
Tell us your story.
My Father died from metastatic malignant melanoma. I found out through his diagnosis that I had malignant melanoma also but mine was not metastatic. I had two rushed surgeries and although radiotherapy was discussed, I never had to have that treatment thankfully.
So this situation, held me back a little for a few years because obviously my own dreams, took a back seat for a while and the focus was on my health. There were many medical appointments for a long time, to keep on top of this situation.
After an anniversary mass for my Father, I ended a relationship I was in. He did not want children. I just walked that day and never looked back.
I had Sophia at 45yrs. I had Eloise at 50yrs. I am a Single Mom by Choice.i had my two daughters by frozen embryo transfer in Spain. I work but I have the most amazing childcare support, which makes our family life easy.
Did you have any fears about carrying a child when you were over 40?
I never had any fear about actually carrying a child being a woman over 40 years of age. My whole focus was on actually getting pregnant, so maybe that was the reason for this.
I had two natural births. I never had one complication in either of my pregnancies. Society has received me as a Mother, I find and it's refreshing. I have never felt or been made to feel any different to any other Mother. I love this life. I truly love it. My life has totally changed and I would describe it as opening up wider and wider. Yes, it's chaotic some days and tiring but the joy and magical moments with my children override all this. I would say to anybody on this path, to just go for it!
How has society received you as a mother over 40?
Society has received me as a Mother, I find and it's refreshing. I have never felt or been made to feel any different to any other Mother.
I love this life. I truly love it. My life has totally changed and I would describe it as opening up wider and wider. Yes, it's chaotic some days and tiring but the joy and magical moments with my children override all this.
I would say to anybody on this path, to just go for it!
