“Nature makes you blind to the risks”: An exploration of womens' views surrounding decisions on the timing of childbearing in contemporary society

•Women's decision-making surrounding the timing of childbearing was explored.•Across all three age groups, women's decisions were dominated by social realities.•Knowledge, perception of others and critical self-evaluation contextualised choices.•Risks of delayed childbearing did not feature prominently in women's narratives.

ObjectiveTo gain an understanding of womens' views surrounding decisions on the timing of childbearing.Study DesignThis study was based on interviews with 18 childless women, from North-West England, in three age groups: Six women aged between 18 and 24; Six women aged between 25 and 34; and six women aged 35 or more. Data were analysed using a hermeneutic phenomenological approach with thematic analysis.ResultsThree main themes were identified. Women perceived themselves as living within boundaries, defined internally and externally; they aspired to being a great mother or no mother; and had a desire to contribute to family and society, at multiple levels. Risks associated with delaying childbearing had little or no influence on decision-making. The overarching phenomenon was social comparability; decisions were made in the context of women's knowledge and perceptions of others and a high degree of critical self-evaluation.ConclusionWe conclude that social reality dominates womens' reproductive decisions. Whilst the biological reality is that fertility reduces and medical complications increase with maternal age, social discourses deter women from acknowledging this. Medical risks associated with advanced maternal age are undermined by the notion that women can choose when to start a family.