Hilary Swank, aged 52, is expecting her third child, as announced by the star of “Yellowjackets.” Addressing critics, she highlighted the double standard where older fathers face less scrutiny than older mothers. Swank, a two-time Oscar winner, already has twins with her husband, Philip Schneider, born when she was 48 after freezing her eggs at 37.
The pregnancy news was shared in a playful Instagram video where Swank and her family danced with glow sticks creating stick figure shapes, with a tiny glow stick figure on her belly. She hinted at a December due date in the caption. Swank emphasized the joy of becoming a parent later in life, noting her increased patience and dedication due to her established career.
Late pregnancies, defined as those above 35, are on the rise in North America. Statistics show a significant increase in older mothers over the past two decades. Dr. Prati Sharma explained the decline in egg quality with age, making natural pregnancies more challenging, leading many women to explore options like egg-freezing and IVF.
Celebrity pregnancies in their 50s, like Swank’s, often involve modern fertility techniques. While advancements in medical care have improved safety, risks still exist for older mothers during pregnancy. Despite the growing popularity of egg-freezing in Canada, the high costs can be a barrier to access for many individuals.