I was just reading an article about Nicole Kidman and thought of sharing some information about a few high-profile ladies who became moms for the first time at age 40 and older.

True, many have had to resort to various reproductive techniques to achieve their dreams of motherhood, but their success is an indication that it can happen.

Some popular celebs who became moms for the first time at 40 or after 40 include:

• Nancy Grace
• Marcia Cross
• Nicole Kidman
• Halle Berry
• Salma Hayek

Actress Marcia Cross was open about resorting to in vitro reproductive techniques to become a mom to twins at age 44. She said she didn’t want anyone to think it was easy to get pregnant at her age.

Nancy Grace who gave birth to twins at age 48 also had help and some medical issues when giving birth, but that didn’t stop her from having healthy children.

While statistics in the USA, England and Jamaica have shown an increased number of pregnancies and births in the over-40 age group, there are still areas of concern. If you are planning to get pregnant and fall into this age bracket, there are things you need to know.

1. There is roughly a five percent chance that you will get pregnant in any month after age 40, and this decreases with each progressing year
2. The likelihood of suffering a miscarriage increases
3. You will need to ensure that you follow a balanced diet plan and have more prenatal vitamins
4. The likelihood of gestational diabetes and other pregnancy related-illnesses increases
5. There is the possibility that your baby may have some medical issues

One of the reasons why celebrity moms and older moms in many countries are becoming much more common is the fact that some of us have delayed starting a family to become financially independent. Children need parental influence when growing up, but in and the last decade or so this has been difficult due to career demands. Mothers are working, some more than one job or are going back to school so that they can earn more.

The bottom line is to take care of yourself and follow your doctor’s orders if you are joining the motherhood gang that is over 40.