“Will You Become a Mother at a Grandmother’s Age?”: How Social Taunts Over Late Pregnancy Shattered a Woman’s Mental Health—and How She Reclaimed Hope

Despite frequent claims that society has become more progressive, deeply ingrained prejudices around motherhood and age continue to haunt many women. For Shalu Jain, a school teacher by profession, these attitudes turned her journey to motherhood into an emotionally exhausting battle—one that severely affected her mental health before finally ending in hope.

Shalu recalls that when she crossed the age of 35 without a child, society’s unsolicited opinions became relentless and cruel. “People would say things like, ‘Are you planning to become a mother at your grandmother’s age?’ or warn me that by the time my child went to school, I would already be old,” she says. Hearing such remarks repeatedly pushed her into deep anxiety and self-doubt.

Marriage Came Late, Not by Choice

Shalu and her husband, Shreyas, did not intentionally delay parenthood. Both were focused on building their careers, which led to a late marriage. Shalu was 33 and Shreyas 35 when they tied the knot. Naturally, this meant they entered the phase of family planning later than what society considers “ideal.”

About a year after marriage, when pregnancy did not happen immediately, the couple decided to consult a gynecologist without delay. Medical tests brought reassurance—their reports were normal. Shalu’s ovarian reserve was healthy, and there were no fertility issues detected in either of them.

Society’s Pressure Took a Heavier Toll Than Medical Reality

While medical advice encouraged patience and persistence, social pressure told a different story. “Most people did not say these things to my husband,” Shalu notes. “The comments were directed at me—about my age, my body, and the imagined risks to the baby.”

Some warned her that late pregnancy would lead to unhealthy children; others painted frightening pictures of complications. Over time, these voices settled into her mind, creating constant fear. She began overthinking everything, lost confidence, and even struggled to follow the doctor’s advice during her fertile window due to anxiety.

When Mental Health Became the Priority

Seeing her deteriorating emotional state, Shreyas insisted they return to the doctor—this time not for fertility treatment, but for Shalu’s mental well-being. The doctor emphasized that stress and fear were becoming the biggest obstacles.

She was advised to focus on mental health first: practice breathing exercises, follow yoga, improve sleep habits, and significantly reduce screen time—especially online content that amplified fear around late pregnancy.

Letting Go of Fear, Finding Joy Again

Gradually, Shalu began to ignore social taunts and stopped consuming alarming information online. She focused on herself, followed medical guidance calmly, and rebuilt emotional balance. Months later, persistence paid off.

“One day, I saw two lines on the pregnancy test,” she recalls. “It was the happiest moment of my life.”

A Larger Message for Society

Shalu’s story is not just personal—it reflects a broader social issue. Delayed marriage and motherhood are increasingly common due to education and careers, yet societal attitudes remain harsh and outdated. Her experience underlines a critical truth: mental health is as important as physical health in the journey to parenthood.

Above all, her story raises an uncomfortable but necessary question—why is a woman’s reproductive timeline still treated as public property, open to judgment and ridicule?

As Shalu’s journey shows, compassion, awareness, and support can make all the difference—far more than unsolicited advice ever could.