FROM choosing to delay childbirth, opting to remain child-free, or grappling with infertility, women’s experiences with fertility and family planning are deeply diverse.

The issue of reproduction has been much discussed lately, with news that Jamaica’s total fertility rate has declined from 4.5 births per female between 1973 and 1975, to 1.9 in 2021, contributing to a decrease in the country’s population estimate, prompting official discourse on how this will negatively affect future generations, and the economy.

For the most part, women have been insisting that it is their right to navigate these choices and challenges, as part of the greater “our bodies, our choice” discourse.

Here, some women at the various stages talk about why they made the decisions they did.

Women who choose to have children later in life

Many women today are choosing to have children later in life due to factors such as career aspirations, personal development, and the desire for financial stability. This trend is supported by advancements in fertility treatments, which give women the option to conceive later.

“I had my first child in my early 20s, and being a single mother and struggling, not only financially, but just to raise a child on my own, made me determined to have more stability when I chose to have more children,” said Stacy-Ann Levy, 46.

She said when she got married at 35, she and her husband started trying immediately, but it wasn’t until age 40, with the help of fertility drugs, that she had her second baby.

“Now I’m going through all the emotions all over again,” she said. “It’s hard, but again it’s so much easier having the support and seeing how much more fulfilling it is having a child in a two-parent household.”

Medical professionals say there are unique challenges to this arrangement, including an increased risk of complications like miscarriage, chromosomal abnormalities, and higher rates of caesarean sections.

“Older mothers may experience conditions like gestational diabetes or hypertension during pregnancy,” said nurse practitioner Angie Dennis. “But if you plan to delay childbirth, new advancements in medicine are fully at your disposal to help you.”

Women who are child-free by choice

Many women prioritise personal freedom, career, travel, relationships, or other pursuits over parenthood. This decision can be empowering, but also comes with societal pressures.

“I’ve never wanted children, ever, and took every precaution against this,” said Siddonie Hall, 36. “I even asked my doctor at one point for a tubal ligation, and he refused, and now I’m on the IUD, which was another challenge even for him to consider.”

She insists that she just doesn’t see children as a part of her life, as some women are just not made to be mothers.

Mental health counsellor Angela Dacres said some women who are child-free by choice face judgement or expectations from family, friends, and society to follow a traditional path of motherhood, but these viewpoints have to change.

“They may encounter intrusive questions or assumptions that they will change their mind in the future,” she said. “But the women who are truly insistent, won’t do this, and it’s time more people respected this choice.”

She said as discussions around bodily autonomy and diverse life goals become more mainstream, the child-free choice is increasingly respected.

“The decision is freeing and allows these women to pursue careers, hobbies, and personal development without the responsibilities of parenthood,” Dacres said.

Women facing infertility

Infertility is a significant challenge for many women, affecting approximately 10-15 per cent of couples. The journey can be emotionally taxing and filled with uncertainties.

“For us, we went through years of trying everything, and were not successful,” said Eva Reid, 50. “I just thought it would naturally happen once we started trying, but it never did. Tests later showed that I had endometriosis, and we tried some medical intervention for a while, but it was both expensive and hard on my body, so one day my husband just suggested that we stop.”

She said instead of focusing on having biological children, she and her husband decided to foster, then adopt, and are now parents to two adopted children.

“Women facing infertility often experience a wide range of emotions, including grief, frustration, and isolation,” said Dacres. “ The societal expectation to conceive can exacerbate feelings of inadequacy and sadness.”

Counsellor David Anderson said it’s largely outdated cultural norms and societal expectations that significantly shape women’s family planning experiences — in many cultures, there is immense pressure for women to marry and have children, which can lead to internal and external conflict for those who choose different paths.

“As discussions around women’s rights become more common, there is a growing acceptance of various reproductive choices, thankfully reducing the stigma associated with being child-free or delaying motherhood,” he said.

Overall, he said, in this new age, understanding and respecting women’s experiences and choices about their reproductive health and family planning journeys, as well as promoting awareness and having open dialogue will help women on the various paths they choose to take in their pursuit of motherhood, or even those who find fulfillment without children.

—ALAISHA THOMAS