Over 35? You can still be a mum

For the first time, the number of babies born to women over 35 exceeds the number being born to teens. The new face of the American mom reflects changes in fertility science.

For the first time, the number of babies born to women over 35 exceeds the number being born to teens, suggest reports.

Of 2008's 4 million births, one in seven were to older mothers, while one in 10 were to teens. The new face of the American mom reflects changes in fertility science, a trend pointing towards later marriage and changing attitudes about childbearing, the Washington Post reports.

The new mom isn't just older, she's also better educated. 54 per cent of all new moms and 71 per cent of the over-35 crowd, have had some college education — and more likely to be unmarried.

Some 41 per cent are unwed, up from 28 per cent in 1990. Women don't appear to be timing their pregnancies too carefully. About half of the women surveyed said motherhood "just happened," notes the AP.