The number of women over 50 having babies has more than doubled in five years - it amounts to about three a week.

And a recent news story on the subject brought massive criticism from the public.

The facts are that older mothers are more at risk of miscarriage and ectopic pregnancies and their children more likely to be born with genetic abnormalities. Midwives warn that they put more stress on the NHS.

Adoption agencies are also embracing older mothers and are prepared to consider an age gap of 45 years between a child and adoptive parent. Foster parents can work until they are 65 and in some cases even older.

I understand the health concerns, but who am I to say a woman should be denied the chance to be a mum simply because she’s approaching the menopause? I have been lucky to have two healthy children and understand the biological need to reproduce.

My kids are now adults and I’m somewhat relieved about that. I couldn’t contemplate getting up in the middle of the night to feed a child or the possibility of being mistaken for Granny in the playground.

But, I dare say, in the unlikely event of a stork dropping a cuddly bundle in my ironing basket, I’d be up to the task in much the same way as any child-minding grandparent rises to the challenge.

I just wouldn’t choose, when I’m enjoying lie-ins and hangovers without little hands tugging at my hair, to do it all again. But it’s easy to be wise with hindsight.

But I have to admire those who, in the autumnal season of their lives, are prepared to take on life’s most humbling role - that of the parent - because it shows supreme dedication to the task.

Many over 50s are physically and mentally in better shape than they were in their 20s. In fact, many over 50s are fitter and healthier than a lot of 20-odd-year-olds.

A 47-year-old friend has recently adopted two toddlers. Yes, she looks shattered. But so do most working mothers with two children under five. But she’s fully equipped, physically and mentally, to bring them up with love, understanding and boundaries.

Motherhood is not about age, but attitude and a need to love unconditionally.