#Maternalage

Recent research and personal accounts are challenging traditional beliefs about the “ideal” age for motherhood, as more women worldwide are choosing to start families in their late 30s and early 40s—or, as in a widely shared feature from Business Insider, reflecting on the joys and obstacles of becoming a parent at 37 and 40. This trend, evident in Thailand and globally, is driven by evolving economic, social, and healthcare realities, reshaping the narrative on family planning, women’s health, and the definition of the “right time” for parenthood.

A growing number of women are choosing to start families in their late 30s and early 40s. Personal stories and research highlights show that delaying motherhood is connected to education, career, and financial planning. In Thailand and beyond, these shifts influence health, education, and family planning decisions.

Traditionally, many societies encouraged early motherhood. Medical guidance has long warned about fertility challenges after the early 30s. Today, women increasingly prioritize schooling, stable income, and life experience before having children. Global data from leading health bodies indicate that the typical age of first-time mothers is rising in both developed and developing nations, including Thailand, where economic and personal factors shape decisions to delay childbirth.