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Age Groups > Pre-Conception

Considering Becoming a Dad after 50? 5 Risks

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Victor Rodrigues

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While the prospect of becoming a dad at 50 can be as exciting as at 30, it can have its share of complications or risks.

According to researchers at the University of California, sperm count decreases with age and sperm tends to get sluggish and lose their ability to approach an egg. Other research in the UK and the US has found that sperm quality can deteriorate as men get older. The DNA may start to unravel and the sperm may lose its ability to fertilize an egg. Even if fertilized, the embryo may fail to implant in the womb or the woman may miscarry. According to the Fertility Society of Australia, one in six older dads has trouble getting his wife to conceive.

Several genetic conditions also have been linked to older dads, such as schizophrenia and achondroplasia dwarfism. Studies show that men in their 40s run a five times greater risk of fathering children with autism, and men in their 50s face more than nine times the risk. According to Dr Natalia Gavrilova from the University of Chicago's Centre on Ageing, what is more worrying is that new research has found that paternal parental age can affect the lifespan of daughters.

One research, published in the journal, Epidemiology, has found that the babies of older dads tend to be less robust immediately after birth compared to those fathered by younger men. The journal also reports that new fathers in their 40s and 50s are slightly more likely to have an infant with a low Apgar score than fathers in their 20s.

Apart from risking birth related complications, older dads need to be aware of the fact that by the time their kids are ready to play football, they might not even be in a position to accompany them to a game. They might lack the physical stamina to do many of the things that younger dads do with their kids.

If older dads have built a strong financial base in their younger days, they wouldn't need to worry about saving for college. However, they would need to worry if they are depending on their social security to provide for them in their old age.

Older dads need to be aware of the fact that there is a greater possibility, after age 50, of developing health related complications, even leading to premature death. They, therefore, need to ensure that their kids will be taken care of even after they are gone.

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	Comments
	By Jerry, From Grand Rapids Well....I suppose that I'm running contrary to public opinion. I was 70 when we had a baby....and look forward to a sibling for her. Live your life with one eye on your current happiness....the other on the mysteries of the future. So many negative happen to people of all ages....each person has to make up their own minds. There is no guarantee for any"future" working out for anyone. But, stay in shape and take care of the obvious needs of young ones...and young wife. By Me, From Detroit Men who are on their 2nd or 3rd wife and have children from their 1st marriage- the greatest gift you can give the children YOU ALREADY HAVE is a vasectomy. There is nothing more heartbreaking than some old geezer on the side of a soccer field watching his 4 year old son when you know he hasn't bothered calling his own children the same age as the woman he's now married to. It's not just the 1st family that's destroyed because of men's giant egos that feel they MUST procreate...again, you can bet your life that that 4 year old will wonder what the heck you were thinking when he's getting his high school diploma the same year they put you in a nursing home. Get a dog. By Jorge, From Carmel Wow!... this article had me worried. My wife is 40 and I am about to turn 53, we are expecting our first child in a couple of months. Although, in the beginning of the pregnacy, I was very concerned because of our ages. Notheless, I was still excited. So far so good, Doctors have run several lab tests to determine if our child will be born with any defects, all the tests have come back normal. I can't be more exited! I look forward to being a dad again even if I am and old dad. I thank God for this gift. By Ian, From Edinburgh Do not let the negative tone in this article put you off having kids. People are generally much healthier and living longer these days. There is a much greater chance everything will be fine. There are many advantages to raising a family later in life. By Charlie, From Central Arkansas I am 49 years young my 2nd. wife is 30, we have a 21 month old healthy daughter, and we are working on gettin pregnant with our 2nd child. This article raises some concern but we both discussed it and we decided if God wants us to have another child we will. By Charles, From greensboro I am becoming a father at 60. I have no energy at all. I wasn't even aware I had sex LOL. Help By Jerry, From Glasgow My wife and I tried to have a baby for many years but it did not happen and I thought that it was down to me due to a football injury"down below" when I was 17 although we never had any tests done. We have now been separated for five years and I have been in a relationship with a lady of 29 for 2 years (I am 55). She is now 3 months pregnant and we are both happy and excited at the prospect of the new arrival. My partner has a 6 year old daughter from a previous relationship who I get along with very well. Should I be worried about becoming a father for the first time at 55? By billy, From peterborough i had 4 children in my 20s and they made me very happy , when the last one left home iwas lost,i have since had 1 boy and 1 girl in my 2nd marrage and feel so lucky to have another chance ,i keep my self fit and it is hard but it was the first time,but has not put me off,and they are both very forward and healthy. By Terry, From St. Louis Park I appreciate hearing the statistics on male's sperm but I'm sad to hear the overall negative tenor of the article. As someone who married at 53 I wish I had known about the statistics but I would have gone ahead and taken the risk to have children anyway. My wife and I have had two children (now 2 and 5) and they are both healthy, happy and energetic. They are the best thing I've ever done in my life. I'm glad I waited. I'm far more secure on every level and a much better parent than I would have been 5, 10 and definitely 20 years ago. My children keep me young, physically active and engaged. Every day, throughout the day, I look at my children and thank God for the best gift I could ever have. I feel very blessed to be a Dad in his 50s even when I'm changing a diaper or dealing with challenges. Please do not let this article from dissuading you from becoming a Dad in your 50s.