May 30, 2025
PETALING JAYA – Defying biological norms and societal expectations, Malaysia’s “silver mums” are embracing motherhood well into their 50s – thanks to evolving social trends and advances in reproductive technology.
According to the Statistics Department (DOSM), the number of women giving birth at 50 and above rose from 36 in 2022 to 58 in 2023.
Sabah had the highest number of older mothers at 18, followed by Selangor (16) and Kuala Lumpur (6).
In the first quarter of 2025, there were three babies born to mothers at the age of 55 and above.
For 51-year-old Rospalela Sidi Ahmad, the news of her pregnancy came as a shock.
“I thought I had reached menopause when my period was late,” said the Johor resident.
The pregnancy came 22 years after her last child, and 26 years after her first.
Although she was diagnosed with gestational diabetes, she described her journey as smooth, which she credited to her careful diet.
“I cut down on rice and focused on eating more fruits and vegetables,” she said. Her baby was born healthy and began walking at just nine months.
In Penang, housewife Roslina Ghani had longed for a third child but gave up after a miscarriage. Seven years later, she conceived again and delivered her baby at the age of 50.
“Now I’m caring for my youngest child alongside my two grandchildren. It’s exhausting, but absolutely worth it,” she said.
Medical experts attribute this trend mainly to women delaying marriage and childbirth for career and personal goals.
“More women are choosing to have children later, not just in Malaysia but globally,” said senior obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Milton Lum.
In Singapore, 19 women aged 50 and older gave birth in 2023, three of whom were at least 55 years old then, according to a report in The Straits Times.
In Australia, 86 women were aged 50 or older when they gave birth in 2019, according to a report by the Australian institute of Health and Wlefare.
According to the United States’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 1,217 births to women aged 50 and older in the US in 2023, up from 144 in 1997.
With natural fertility declining significantly after 40, many women rely on assisted reproductive technologies (ART) to conceive.
“Once menopause begins – typically between 50 and 55 – natural conception becomes extremely unlikely.
“Stored eggs, hormone therapy, and egg donation are often required,” he said.
These late pregnancies, however, come with increased medical risks.
Older mothers are more likely to face complications such as high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, and a higher likelihood of chromosomal abnormalities in the baby, including Down syndrome.
Dr Lum emphasized that women aged 35 and above are already considered of “advanced maternal age,” with those over 50 facing even more serious risks.
“It’s not just about whether you can get pregnant. It’s about whether you can safely carry the pregnancy and raise the child,” he said.
He added that older mothers must be mentally and physically prepared to manage both the demands of pregnancy and the responsibility of parenting that follow.
“The physical and mental toll is greater for women nearing retirement age. There are no dedicated support systems in place – many rely solely on personal or family resources,” he said.
Gynaecologist and urogynaecologist Assoc Prof Dr Sivakumar S. Balakrishnan echoed these concerns, noting that while late-age motherhood is growing more common, it’s rarely simple.
“Spontaneous conception at 50 is almost impossible. ART or egg donation is usually needed—and that comes with emotional stress and high economic costs,” he said.
He warned that women in this age group are more likely to have underlying conditions like diabetes and hypertension, complicating pregnancy and delivery.
He said babies are also at greater risk of congenital abnormalities.
Beyond medical concerns, the social implications are just as pressing.
“A woman giving birth at 50 may need to work into her 70s to support her child’s education,” he said.
He stressed the need for better care frameworks, including financial planning, mental health support, and flexible work arrangements for older mothers.
Universiti Malaya demographer Assoc Prof Dr Tey Nai Peng said the trend reflects broader social changes—rising education levels, delayed marriage, and evolving gender roles.
“Older mothers tend to be more emotionally mature and financially stable, which benefits their children.
But they also face greater health challenges and often juggle caring for ageing parents at the same time,” he said.
He warned that delayed childbearing narrows the reproductive window, potentially contributing to lower national birth rates.
The increased use of fertility treatments and higher-risk pregnancies also place added pressure on healthcare systems.
To support this changing demographic, Dr Tey called for more family-friendly policies, such as extended parental leave, workplace flexibility, and access to quality reproductive and mental healthcare.