I am a married businesswoman in my 30s. I plan to postpone having my first baby ’til after 40. However, my sister says this is “very foolish” of me, because I could run into all sorts of problems through giving birth at that age. What do you think?

Statistics show many women are now postponing motherhood until quite late. Last year, there were 27,000 births to over-40s. It’s true the complications of pregnancy and childbirth are more common in that age group. But if you are fit and healthy, and attend ante-natal sessions regularly, the odds are all will be well. However, please bear in mind your risk of having a Down’s Syndrome baby will be higher. Also, remember that fertility usually starts to decline after 35, so conceiving might not be easy.