The empty nest stage is hard for many of us, and we all find different ways to handle it. Some go through a bit of depression; others recommit themselves to their career or find a new passion; others spend more time with friends, or do more traveling with their partner. A 51-year-old who goes from Eastern North Carolina has taken a different route: She has had two more babies and is documenting the late-in-life additions to her family on her popular TikTok channel.
“Ya’ll can have your empty nests. I’m a 51-year-old mommy with babies to snuggle. I’ll take it,” exclaimed “Em,”as she as she calls herself (though in at least one video she identified herself as “Dawn”). On the soundtrack playing over a photo of a blonde snuggling a sleeping baby, a singer croons, “This is what dreams are made of.” The video has been seen 13,000 times.
Giving birth during menopause is the best thing that ever happened to me!
Another video “She’s 1 and I’m 51. Giving birth during menopause is the best thing that ever happened to me! Miracles do happen,” exclaimed “Em,” The video shows her juggling an adorable baby on her hip while Aaron Neville sings, “Don’t Know Much.”
This video has been viewed 104,000 times and has received more than 500 comments. They generally fall into five categories: those who are longing for a baby of their own, those who report on their own late-in-life babies, those who miss having young children, those who admit they could never have little ones at their age, and those who find encouragement that Em could have a baby when biology and age seem to be against them.
“This gives me so much hope; 42 here and still waiting with hubby. Not been easy,” says one woman
Another says, “I’m 43 and I would love to remarry and have one more. This is just a sign for me that it’s absolutely possible. Happy for you!”
Read More: Naomi Campbell, Janet Jackson are Part of the Growing Number of New Moms Over 50
Could You Do It?
@emmoments #momsover50 ♬ original sound – • Shannon •
For someone who shares her life via social media, Em gives very little information about her family. When asked if she’s a single mom or if all the kids are from the same father, she doesn’t answer. But she sporadically mentions a 53-year-old husband. She has two older children, one in her late 20s and one a teenager. A video posted on Mother’s Day 2021 shows Em with the four kids.
An important fact she glosses over is how she got pregnant so late? Did she go through IVF? Did she use donor eggs? Of course, no one should feel obliged to divulge that, but her public display of her “miracle” does beg the question.
In 2019, only 1,079 women gave birth at 50 or older, according to the National Vital Statistics Report. Like Em, the government doesn’t state how those pregnancies were accomplished.
Em is not alone in pushing the age envelope. In 2020, Julie Loving was a surrogate for her own grandchild at the age of 51. Outside the United States, women in their 60s and even 70s have given birth via IVF.
Em doesn’t, however, shy away from talking about her energy level. In one video that shows photos of her sporting a huge baby she says, “Pregnant at age 48 & 49. I’m not crazy. Just extremely blessed. And tired. I’m really, really tired. And done.”
What about you? Would you want another baby now if you could? Do you miss having little ones?
Read More: Brigitte Nielsen’s Baby Makes Us Ask If Pregnancy Over 50 is a Good Idea
