Clara ThompsonActress Sienna Miller, 44, welcomed her third child — her second with boyfriend Oli Green — on May 11, 2026. Her candid post-birth admission of running on "very little sleep but madly in love" resonated across social media, and rightly so. But behind every celebration of late motherhood lies a medical picture that deserves a closer look, especially for Canadian women navigating pregnancy and the postpartum period after the age of 40.
Late Parenthood Is Rising — and More Medically Complex
Canada's birth rate among women aged 40 and older has climbed steadily over the past decade, driven by career timelines, fertility treatments, and shifting social norms. Miller herself noted in a recent Glamour interview that having a baby at 44 felt "so much easier" than her first experience at 29, partly because of greater self-awareness. But ease of experience and medical risk are two different things — and the statistics matter.
A study published in CMAJ on March 16, 2026, found that severe maternal morbidity affected nearly 3 percent of pregnancies in Ontario between conception and six weeks postpartum, with particularly elevated risk among women aged 40 and older. Severe hemorrhage occurred at a rate of 6.10 per 1,000 births intrapartum, while sepsis affected 4.69 per 1,000 births postpartum. These numbers underscore why vigilance during the postpartum window is not optional — it is essential.
The First Six Weeks: A Critical Medical Window
The postpartum period spans the six weeks following delivery, and for mothers over 40, this window carries amplified risk. Global data cited in a March 2026 Lancet study found that women in their early 40s face a threefold greater risk of maternal mortality compared to those giving birth in their early 30s. Canada is not immune: maternal deaths increased by 18 percent between 2015 and 2023, according to the same report.
Physical complications are only part of the picture. Research published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada found that postpartum depression was significantly more prevalent in women aged 40 to 44 compared to those aged 30 to 35, with an adjusted odds ratio of 3.72. Older mothers may navigate a particular set of stressors: fewer peers in the same life stage, higher career demands, reduced physical reserves, and sometimes ambivalence about identity — all factors that can compound emotional vulnerability after birth.
Five Postpartum Risks That Rise After 40
Health professionals highlight the following areas as requiring extra attention for mothers in their 40s:
1. Cardiovascular complications. Pregnancy places significant strain on the heart. Older women may have undiagnosed hypertension or subclinical cardiac changes that surface — or worsen — in the postpartum period. Symptoms such as persistent shortness of breath, chest pain, or rapid heart rate should never be attributed to "just being tired" and warrant immediate medical attention.
2. Severe postpartum hemorrhage. This remains one of the leading causes of maternal complications in Canada. Signs include soaking through more than one pad per hour for two or more hours, passing large clots, lightheadedness, or pallor. Older mothers should discuss their individual bleeding risk with their care team before discharge from hospital.
3. Postpartum depression and anxiety. Unlike the "baby blues" — which typically resolve within two weeks — postpartum depression deepens and persists. Symptoms include persistent sadness, difficulty bonding with the baby, panic attacks, irritability, or intrusive thoughts. Women over 40 face nearly four times the risk of postpartum depression compared to those in their early 30s. Professional support, not willpower, is the appropriate response.
4. Wound healing and infection. Recovery from a C-section or perineal tear is slower in older women, and the immune response to localized infection may be less robust. Warning signs include redness that is spreading, unusually warm skin at the incision site, fever above 38°C, or discharge with an unusual odour. Early identification prevents minor infections from becoming serious complications.
5. Postpartum thyroiditis. More common in women over 35, this condition is frequently missed because fatigue, mood changes, and weight fluctuation are easily attributed to newborn care demands. An untreated thyroid condition can prolong postpartum depression and delay recovery. A simple blood test is all that is needed to screen for it.
What Canadian Official Guidelines Recommend
Public Health Canada's postpartum guidance encourages all new mothers to schedule a comprehensive postpartum appointment within six weeks of birth. The federal infographic on postpartum health, available at canada.ca, outlines key indicators to monitor across physical and mental health domains. For mothers aged 40 and older, many specialists recommend an earlier follow-up — within two to three weeks — to catch complications before they escalate.
For older mothers, recovery timelines may extend beyond the standard six-week benchmark, making follow-up care especially important.
The Expert Gap: Why Celebrity Experience Isn't the Template
Sienna Miller's positive framing of late motherhood is understandable and, for many women, genuinely reflective of their experience. But celebrities give birth with access to private medical teams, round-the-clock support staff, lactation consultants, and nutritionists that most Canadian women do not have.
The gap between the celebrity narrative and everyday postpartum reality is significant. A Canadian woman navigating recovery while managing older children, returning to work, or living in a region with limited obstetrical services faces a very different set of conditions. Knowing when to escalate a symptom and how to access mental health support are not always intuitive.
As explored in coverage of Rachel McAdams and postpartum mental health, high-profile women are increasingly normalizing conversations about the emotional complexity of late motherhood.
When to Consult a Healthcare Professional
These situations warrant prompt consultation with a doctor, nurse, or mental health professional — without waiting for a scheduled postpartum visit:
- Postpartum depression or anxiety lasting more than two weeks
- Fever above 38°C at any point in the first six weeks
- Worsening pain, swelling, or redness at a wound site
- Heavy bleeding beyond the first few days postpartum
- Thoughts of self-harm or inability to bond with the baby
- Persistent fatigue not improving with rest (possible thyroid dysfunction or anemia)
Expert Zoom connects Canadians with licensed health professionals — including GPs, psychologists, midwives, and nurses — who can conduct confidential consultations from home. A qualified health expert is one click away.
The Takeaway
Sienna Miller's joy is real, and her story shines a welcome spotlight on late motherhood. But it also serves as a timely reminder: giving birth after 40 in Canada carries specific, well-documented risks that deserve more than celebrity optimism. Knowing those risks, monitoring the warning signs, and connecting with a qualified health professional during the postpartum window are the most important things an older mother — or the people around her — can do.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a licensed healthcare professional regarding personal health concerns, symptoms, or treatment decisions.
