The New Boom: Moms Over 35

Today's moms are better educated, less married
By Emily Rauhala,  Newser Staff
Posted May 6, 2010 8:24 AM CDT
Updated May 9, 2010 10:34 AM CDT
The New Boom: Moms Over 35
American women are having children later in life.   (Shutter Stock)

For the first time, the number of babies born to women over 35 exceeds the number being born to teens, reports the Pew Research Center. Of 2008's 4 million births, one in seven were to older mothers, while one in 10 were to teens. The new, slightly older face of the American mom reflects changes in fertility science, a move toward later marriage, and changing attitudes about childbearing, the Washington Post notes.

And the new mom isn't just older, she's also better educated—54% of all new moms, and 71% of the over-35 crowd, have had some college education—and more likely to be unmarried. Some 41% are unwed, up from 28% in 1990. Interestingly, women don't appear to be timing their pregnancies too carefully: About half of the women surveyed said motherhood "just happened," notes the AP. (Click here for a list of celebs who didn't plan on getting pregnant, either.)

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