Educational Media Reviews Online

Is 40 the new 30? Apparently not when it comes to female fertility. For women over 40 who hope to conceive, decreasing “ovarian reserve” and declining egg quality may cause infertility. Science affords older women new options besides adoption, though procedures like in vitro fertilization are costly and may not be as successful for older women. Beyond the medical hurdles, the joys of motherhood after 40 bring unique challenges including physical and mental exhaustion and when and how much to tell children about the story of their birth. Cat Ashworth’s film The Oldest Mother on the Block reveals some of the experiences, choices and feelings older mothers face.

Profiles of three women, (including one of film director Cat Ashworth herself) provide a glimpse into the medical procedures involved in undergoing in vitro fertilization and becoming first-time mothers after age 40. Using eggs donated by a younger woman, Ashworth gave birth at 47 to her baby girl. A second profile is of a 40-something single mother whose desire to have children before it was too late led to her decision to undergo in vitro fertilization. Her twin sons were conceived through use of a sperm donor she selected from a description in a catalog on the Internet. The third profile of a mother shadows a 43-year old woman and her younger husband as they go through in vitro fertilization using donor eggs. As an interesting sidebar, a 27-year old egg donor is interviewed. The donor shows the drugs that she takes prior to the egg retrieval process, for which she’s paid five thousand dollars.

Recommended, particularly for those considering in vitro fertilization, egg or sperm donation, and professionals who provide counseling relating to parenting choices.

Awards

• Best Documentary, Ohio Independent Film Festival, 2006