For all my juju mamas who are starting this fertility journey in their late 30s, 40s, and even 50s, know that pregnancy is possible for you.
In today's world, many women are choosing to have children and extend their families later in life. Now more than ever, your chances of getting pregnant after 40 naturally are REAL.
Every time a woman in my Tam Inspires community emails me with a confirmed pregnancy, I believe more and more that being pregnant at 40 IS possible.
These pregnancy stories are reflected in pop culture as more celebrity women of color are choosing to prioritize their careers before starting a family.
If you’re in your late 30s or 40s, and struggling to become pregnant, or have suffered from a miscarriage, let these stories inspire you to not only believe it’s possible, but motivate you to do the work to make it happen!
Da Brat’s pregnancy journey
Da Brat’s baby announcement came in February of 2023. After a long career as a successful and well known rapper, Da Brat had no plans of becoming a mother…until she met her wife, CEO of Kaleidoscope Hair Products, Jesseca “Judy” Harris-Dupart.
According to their pregnancy announcement in People magazine, Da Brat expressed:
"I never thought I was going to have kids…I just thought it wasn't in the cards for me. I've had a great career, a full life. I felt like, because I didn't get pregnant earlier on, then it just wasn't going to happen for me."
Although the couple knew conceiving in their 40s would be more difficult, they still believed it was possible. As a same sex couple, their first decision was determining who would carry the child. Since Jesseca had the experience of pregnancy prior, they decided that Da Brat, at 48 years old, would be the one to try.
Along the way Da Brat overcame many fertility challenges including fibroids, polyps, and a miscarriage after her first IVF treatment.
Da Brat’s pregnancy announcement is an inspiring example of how one couple’s love and commitment to each other has motivated them on the road to motherhood.
Beyonce’s pregnancy journey
During her first pregnancy in 2011 with daughter Blue Ivy, Beyonce developed a dangerous condition called preeclampsia, which led to a month of bed rest to prevent any harm to herself or her baby, eventually giving birth via c-section.
Beyonce announced her second pregnancy with twins Rumi and Sir in 2017, but it wasn’t until her 2019 Netflix documentary “Homecoming,” that the pop star opened up about the complications she faced while pregnant.
Beyonce made the difficult decision to prioritize her health and family first, when she canceled her headline performance at Coachella that same year. Her second pregnancy also resulted in an emergency C-section, as well as a month of recovery due to more health complications.
In the documentary she reveals, "My body went through even more than I knew it could. I was 218 pounds the day I gave birth. I had an extremely difficult pregnancy. I had high blood pressure. I developed toxemia, preeclampsia."
Beyonce, like many expecting mothers, faced fertility challenges, but has emerged stronger than ever. Her story is a testament to her resiliency and commitment to putting family first.
Janet Jackson’s pregnancy journey
Known for her groundbreaking music and performances, Janet Jackson rocked the media when a photo revealed her pregnancy at age 50 in 2016. Although the circumstances around Janet’s pregnancy have been kept mostly private, according to reports she conceived through IVF treatment.
She gave birth to her son, Eissa Al Mana, in 2017 with no complications. Jackson kept her pregnancy a secret until shortly before giving birth, but her decision to start a family later in life was met with widespread praise and admiration. Her story reflects the many women who continue to put their careers first, while successfully starting a family in her 50s.
Angela Bassett’s pregnancy journey
The legendary actress and director had her twins, Bronwyn and Slater Vance, via surrogate at the age of 47 in 2006. According to a 2007 interview on Oprah, Angela and partner Courtney struggled with unsuccessful fertility treatments (including a miscarriage and failed IVF) for nearly 7 years. It wasn’t until she spoke with a friend who had her own child via a surrogate that she felt hopeful for her own journey:
“I was devastated when it didn’t happen [again and again]. I had to remain hopeful and resilient and, ‘Okay, let’s do it again.’”
Bassett has been a force in Hollywood for over three decades and her decision to have children later in life was a powerful example of how women can balance family and career on their own terms.
Eve Mendes’s pregnancy journey
The actress and fashion designer gave birth to her second daughter, Amada Lee Gosling, in 2016 at the age of 42. Much like Da Brat, Eve did not see herself becoming a mother until she fell in love with her partner Ryan Gosling. Throughout her 20s and 30s she was more focused on building a career, making the conscious decision to wait.
In an interview with The Today Show, Eve shared:
“...as a woman, I just wasn't ready. It's such a personal choice for a woman, obviously…When I was pregnant there was always something to worry about. But thankfully I had really healthy pregnancies and I was happy I waited.”
Mendes has been an advocate for women's health and well-being, and her decision to have children in her 40s was a testament to the importance of self-care and prioritizing family.
These women are just a few examples of the many well-known celebrities who have chosen to have children in their 40s.
Other notable women of mention include…
Halle Berry, who gave birth to her son, Maceo Martinez, at the age of 47 in 2013.
Brigitte Neilson, who had her fifth child, Frida, at the age of 54 in 2018.
Gabrielle Union, who after multiple heartbreaking miscarriages, made the difficult decision to have her daughter, Kaavia James, via surrogacy in 2018.
These celebrity women have inspired and encouraged others to embrace motherhood on their own terms and prioritize their health, well-being, and family. We all know that there are some risks associated with pregnancy at a later age, but with proper medical care and attention, women can have successful pregnancies well into their 40s in their own way.
If you’re ready to join over 300+ confirmed pregnancies in the Tam Inspires community, by learning more about your own fertility journey, book a fertility reading with me! In these readings you’ll receive the guidance you need to put in the work and finally become pregnant.
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