The Desire to Become Parents, Part 1

Giving life is one of the most natural and at the same time one of the most extraordinary events in the world. When does a woman’s desire to become a mother arise? How do a man and a woman come together in their desire to have children? Is it a subconscious instinct to continue the family line, pressure from society, a случайность, or a conscious decision of two loving people to take responsibility for a new life?

When love unites a couple, a child makes their feelings even stronger, strengthening the emotional and physical bond between the parents. Children fill our lives with meaning, making them brighter and richer. When parents look at their laughing baby, endorphins — the “hormones of happiness” — are released in their bodies, encouraging them to achieve more and helping them cope with stress. Scientists have shown that although children make our lives more demanding, they also contribute to a longer life expectancy for parents. A healthy lifestyle, which parents often adopt, is considered one of the reasons for this.

Of course, parents carry great responsibility not only during infancy. However, the time spent in the mother’s womb, as well as the first years of life, leave the strongest imprint on the child’s subconscious. This period influences the development of personality and determines both mental and physical health.

What your child will be like — unhappy or cheerful, weak or full of strength and health — should be considered even before pregnancy. Doctors consider the age between 21 and 26 to be the most suitable for a first pregnancy. This is the time when puberty is complete, hormonal balance is stable, the woman’s body is young and healthy, and the ligaments and joints are elastic, which is important for a normal pregnancy and childbirth. However, in most developed countries, the age of first-time mothers has increased.

Women of the 21st century become psychologically ready for motherhood at the age of 27–30 or even later. Why does this happen? The role of women in society has changed. Modern women often consider it necessary to receive one or more higher educations and build a career before starting a family. The level of modern medicine allows women to give birth at 35 and even after 40. We will discuss the особенностях позднего материнства in a separate section. For now, let us focus on the necessary medical consultations and examinations.