Just a few decades ago, the idea of having kids in your 40s was nearly unheard of. Nowadays, though, having kids in your 40s is fairly standard. More and more couples consider waiting to have kids in order to travel, work, or just to keep their lives calm before the chaos starts—and this idea is no longer taboo.

New data from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) proves just how much this trend has increased over the past few years: Research shows that more parents than ever are starting families well into their 40s.

The NCHS study looked at birthrates among different demographics of Americans, including what age groups are having kids. Here's what it found.

The first part of the study, which was released in early March, found that people are having fewer children than ever. Between 1990 and 2023, the number of babies born in the U.S. dropped by 14%. The data also show that this number is continuing to decline. For example, parents in the U.S. had an average of 1.66 children in both 2021 and 2022; in 2023, that average dropped to 1.62 children.

There could be many reasons for this change, including the increasing costs of homes and childcare, or a growing focus among young people on travel and career.

The more interesting part of the data is that for the first time, the number of parents giving birth who are aged 40 and over has surpassed the number of teenagers giving birth. This is a good thing, because the U.S. has been trying to lower the teen birth rate for years, and clearly we've had some success.

It also shows that older parents having babies has become a sizable demographic. Looking at statistics, the increase is striking. For instance, the report found that between 1990 to 2023, fertility rates for birthing parents aged 35 to 39 shot up 71%. And while it might once been considered unsafe to have a baby in your 40s, the fertility rate among birthing parents aged 40 to 44 and 45 and older went up a whopping 127%.

There are many reasons why parents are choosing to have babies later in life, but all of them add up the more people becoming first time parents after 40.

First of all, the fact that fertility care has advanced so much over the decades, has meant that having babies at this age is more feasible, and less of a risk to the health of the pregnant person.

“I think advances in medical care, especially around egg freezing and in vitro fertilization to create frozen embryos has allowed some couples and individuals interested in having children to literally ‘freeze’ time, so they can still have an opportunity to have children later, even if it would be at a time that is traditionally challenging to conceive,” explains Dallas Reed, MD, an OB-GYN, medical geneticist, and assistant professor at Tufts University School of Medicine.

The rising cost of living and of paying for childcare are another factor. Many parents want to be more financially stable before starting a family.

“There may be more financial stability in the later 30s and 40s as people have been able to build their careers prior to having the work disruptions that come with having children.,” Dr. Reed notes.

But there are other considerations that come into play for many parents. One of these is a kind of wisdom and maturity that only comes with getting older, says Katherine Rose Woller, mom of one daughter, and author of Calling It Off.

“Before starting a family, it was important to me that I knew myself, first and foremost,” she tells Parents.

Feeling more grounded in herself has paid off in terms of her parenting, says Woller. “I feel more confident in my ability to parent intuitively, remain patient, and block out distractions and trending advice from the outside world,” she says. “I feel deeply satisfied in my commitment to my daughter and my family, while also knowing the value in simultaneously prioritizing my own well-being, without guilt.”

Other parents also consider their mental and emotional readiness before having kids.

“For me, waiting until my late 30s meant I had more clarity about what I wanted in life,” Sarah Karger, mom and partner at Comm Oddities, Inc., says. “Of course, it’s not without its challenges, but the trade-off has been worth it,” Karger says.

Finally, some parents find that they want to wait until they a strong life partner to build their family with, and many people don’t find this person until later in life.

“I definitely didn't want a child unless or until I had a partner I loved and trusted, who would make a good father, and one who could share the financial, emotional, and mental load with me,” Stef Arck-Baynes, mom of one daughter, and founder & CEO at Achieving Good Communications Company, shares.

There are several well-known risks to having babies after the age of 35. In fact, these pregnancies used to be referred to as “geriatric pregnancies.” No, birthing people over the age of 35 are not “geriatric,” but that is still terminology used by health care providers.

The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) notes that people who give birth after 35 have an increased risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and delivering a baby with chromosomal issues or who are born small for their gestational age. C-section births are more common, as are the risks of developing blood clots.

That being said, there are actually many benefits to having babies at an older age that should not be overlooked. First of all, these pregnancies are usually planned and desired, says Tami Rowen, MD, OB-GYN, menopause and sexual health specialist at Roon, which typically means better medical outcomes for parents, because they are more likely to be engaged and curious about the process.

Additionally, more life experience and healthier lifestyles contribute.

“The risks of pregnancy complications and genetic risks are higher and cannot be mitigated, but for some people having children at older ages may mean they are past the age of experimentation with substances or poor health habits and may have healthier bodies and lifestyles to help maintain a healthy pregnancy and family,” Dr. Rowen says.

Dr. Reed also points out that older parents tend to have healthier diet and exercise patterns. They are also more likely to avoid tobacco products and alcohol, both of which can mitigate risks in pregnancy.

Moreover, as Dr. Reed notes, “some studies have suggested that brain health and longevity may be improved in those who have children later in life.” This means that having babies after 35 may be beneficial to your long-term health, and that you may be still alive and kicking when grandkids enter the picture.