Can I still have a child at 55?

I am a 55-year-old woman who just remarried after being a widow for a number of years. Even though I have a child from my first marriage, I will like to have a child for my new husband. I want to know if this is possible as well as the likely risks.

Ijeoma (by SMS)

• The power of guilt (2)

With advanced medical technology, it is now possible for women above the physiologically accepted age for motherhood to have children. However, this new trend comes with some costs. Apart from the high cost of the medical procedure for conception and delivery, older parents are prone to some medical challenges such as high blood pressure, Excessive bleeding among other issues. In addition, their babies are also likely to have some complications ranging from genetic problems to a shortened life span. Luckily, these issues can be avoided or mitigated with proper medical supervision before, during and after the pregnancy.