A tribute to motherhood and those who become moms later in life

In honor of Mother’s Day, we’re dedicating this special episode of Uniquely Milwaukee to moms (and even those considering motherhood). We’re making sure to acknowledge the love, guidance, protection and sacrifice you give to — and for — your children. Thank you.

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Becoming a mother can happen at any age and stage in life. Increasingly, though, it seems that age and stage fall later and later. 

In March, the National Center for Health Statistics released a report showing that, for the first time, women 40 and older are having more babies than teenagers. In 1990, just more than 50,000 births happened for women 40 and older. Thirty-three years later, that number has almost tripled. Inspired by that trend, we decided to focus on moms over 40 with this Mother’s Day episode in three parts:

1. Shayvon McCullum already had two children, now 15 and 20 years old. But after meeting her partner who had none of his own, she agreed to try again. Now, at 42, she’s got a 1-year-old girl and a very happy life (18 minutes).
2. Dr. Marie Forgie, an OB/GYN from Aurora Health Care, gives her professional insight to motherhood for older women and things to consider when making the decision (11 minutes).
3. Finally, a heartwarming conversation between my Radio Milwaukee colleague Carolann Grzybowski and her mother, Diane Cohen, who was in her 40s when she had both Carolann and her sister (25 minutes).

Episode host: Kim Shine

Uniquely Milwaukee is sponsored by the Milwaukee Public Library.