Apparently having a baby in your fifties will ‘traumatise’ the child – but only if you're a woman of course

The ethical problems relating to older motherhood are routinely cast aside when it comes to men. After all, we are told, that’s the way it’s always been

Brigitte Nielson gave birth at 54 – you would think this was something to celebrate (Getty Images)

Is there any age at which it’s okay to be a mother? Asking on behalf of two billion women across the globe.

Have a baby in your teens and you’re feckless. Have one in your twenties or thirties and you’re a workplace liability. Have one in your early forties – which I did – and you’re plain deluded about your physical and emotional capabilities. Try to pencil it in for your fifties and ha! You left it too late. The fertility ship has already sailed.

At least, that’s been the story up till now. As someone who’s had children at 33, 34 and 40, with friends who had them in their teens and twenties, I’ve never found it particularly convincing.