In the news recently was a story about a Japanese woman in her 50s who has given birth to her own grandchild.

Her daughter could not become pregnant, having had her uterus removed due to cancer. Although surrogate motherhood is frowned upon in Japan, the woman agreed to in vitro fertilization to help her daughter and her son-in-law have their own child.

Woman Gives Birth to Grandchild

More and more women in the US are experiencing their first pregnancy after 40 and the number of women having babies in their 50s is increasing. Some, like the woman in Japan, are acting as surrogates and having children for their daughters. Still others are having their own children, taking advantage of the latest advances in fertility techniques and in vitro fertilization.

But the dangers and risks of pregnancy increase with the age of the mother, and there are other factors to consider for both the mother and child. How old will the mother be when the child starts school, graduates or has children of his or her own?

Dr. Phil has an article on pregnancy and child-rearing in later life at his website. It neither discourages nor encourages but sets out the facts for those considering a pregnancy in later life.

Having a Baby in Later Life

By Andrea Paulsen

A new website called Sideways Health looks at innovative and traditional ways to beat common health problems.

The emphasis is on non-invasive treatments which are both gentle and effective.

There will also be a strand concentrating on the GI method (Glycemic Index) as a way of improving alertness and mental functioning, as well as overall health and optimum weight.

This site is well worth following if you want a different approach to managing your health apart from the expensive, technological methods of conventional medicine and healthcare.

It’s a fact of life that skin starts to sag as we get older. The upper arms are no exception. If this is one of your sensitive spots, try this massage oil.

Exercise such as walking, running and swimming, can help tone and firm, and gentle upward massage will help banish cellulite by encouraging lymphatic drainage.

Massage oil for the upper arms
45ml (3 tbspn) jojoba oil
10ml (1 dspn) rose masqueta oil
1 capsule wheatgerm oil
1 capsule evening primrose oil
3 drops essential oil of either rose or jasmine
5 drops essential oil of lavender
4 drops essential oil of either bois de rose or lemon
100ml bottle

Mix together in the bottle. After a bath or shower, use the oil to massage the triceps muscle from the elbow upwards. This oil will keep for up to two months.

Adapted from “Secrets of Youth and Beauty” by Daniele Ryman.

Breasts can be a problem at any age, but when you’re hovering around the 50 mark — let’s say 49 — you may develop a bit of a complex about them.

So what’s the answer? Firm breasts at 50 is not a human right, so let’s take some action to bring it about.

The following easily-made up lotion is said to firm the connective tissue around the breasts.

Just add some fresh or dried herbs, such as mint, basil, lavender, rosemary and thyme, to a bottle of cider or white wine vinegar.

You can also use essential oils if you prefer : bois de rose, rose, peppermint, ylang-ylang and lavender all work well.

Aromatic vinegar lotion for breasts
* 6-10 tbspn dried herbs, or a handful of fresh herbs, or 15 drops of one of the essential oils mentioned above.
* Slightly less than a pint of cider or white wine vinegar.
* One and one-third of a pint of boiled, cold water in a bottle.
* Add chosen herb or essential oil to the vinegar in the bottle. Keep in the dark for two weeks. Add the water.

Apply the lotion in circular movements with cotton wool to each breast. Do this a few times. Let dry.

Use this lotion daily for two months.

Adapted from “Secrets of Youth and Beauty” by Daniele Ryman