Hitting 50 is one of life’s biggest milestones – and Kelly Clarke decided to celebrate by having IVF to become a first time mother. 

Now aged 55, she says that using a donor egg and sperm to welcome a little girl, who she named Lyla Rae, is one of the best decisions she ever made. 

She said: ‘Even though UK doctors called me geriatric, I had no medical problems at all.

‘I was at my peak fitness when I conceived and I had the most amazing pregnancy, feeling her inside me was my dream come true.’ 

Ms Clarke, who lives in Crawley, Sussex, decided it was time to explore motherhood after enjoying a 23-year career working as an air stewardess and then holding senior positions at Gatwick Airport. 

After being made redundant during the pandemic, she was forced to turn to universal credit before retraining as a swim teacher. 

In 2020, she travelled to Athens to undergo IVF, spending just under £3,000 including flights and accommodation. 

She chose to use an anonymous sperm donor so that she wouldn’t have to co-parent and could bring Lyla up exactly how she wanted to. 

Kelly Clarke with her daughter Lyla Rae, who was born in March 2021 following Greek IVF

Lyla, now five, was born in March 2021 weighing 7lbs 8oz. 

She said: ‘I conceived with a donor egg and donor sperm as the clinician said it was too risky to use my eggs and the official recommendation was a donor.

‘I trusted the experts completely.

‘She is not my egg but she is mine, I grew her and without me she wouldn’t be here.’

Since becoming a mum, Ms Clarke has encountered some struggles, particularly as a single mum, but feels being older helped her overcome the challenges.

‘I don’t think I would have done as well as I am now if I was a younger mum, it would have been different and I would have made it work, but I wouldn’t have been able to do as much,’ she said.

‘For me at this point of my life, I don’t look at her and think “I need a babysitter so that I can go out and do things”.

‘I’ve done the partying, I’ve done the flying, I’ve travelled, I’ve swam with sharks, I’ve done so much and I can show her all the pictures.

Ms Clarke after welcoming her much longed-for baby 

‘Now I can share the experiences with Lyla and I’m not looking at her wishing her life away just so I can get mine back.

‘My life is being a mummy and I’m living my best life.’

What has helped Ms Clarke is that she managed to pay off her mortgage in full just before Lyla’s first birthday, leaving her salary from working as a teaching assistant at Lyla’s school to be spent solely on family life. 

She said: ‘When I became a mum I needed a good set up, so I went and sorted the good set up myself.

‘I want to spend as much time as possible with Lyla Rae, I don’t want other people picking her up or dropping her off because that’s my job, so I went out to find something that fits around our schedule.

‘Lyla is amazing, I am so lucky. She is in reception at school and reads and writes so well, she knows my phone number, she is polite and kind.

‘She is so chatty and a proper storyteller, just like me.’

Ms Clarke is sharing her story days after a new study linked lower rates of IVF success in older women with womb-related ageing.

Researchers at IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, an assisted reproduction institute in Italy, have found that older women have a lower chance of successful fertility treatment even when using eggs donated by younger women – with success rates falling sharply from around the age of 49.

She recommends becoming a mother later in life to all her friends

The findings challenge the widespread belief that donor eggs can effectively ‘reset’ a woman’s reproductive clock. Researchers suggest that age-related changes to the womb lining may make it more difficult for an embryo to implant and develop successfully.

The study, involving 1,774 women, identified the age of 49 as a potential tipping point, after which the risks associated with treatment may begin to outweigh the benefits despite the use of young donor eggs.

Compared with women aged between 35 and 40, those over 49 were significantly less likely to have a live birth and had more than twice the odds of suffering a miscarriage.

The findings come as increasing numbers of women undergo fertility treatment later in life. Figures from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, the UK’s fertility regulator, show that the number of women in their fifties having IVF with donor eggs has risen by 67 per cent over the past decade.

Ms Clarke is happy to encourage other women to look into becoming mothers later in life. 

‘I’ve spoken to a few friends who were umming and ahhing about it and I would 100 per cent recommend doing it,’ she said.

‘You’ll regret not doing it as once that baby is here, the love is worth everything and you’ll think thank goodness I did it.

‘I couldn’t recommend it enough to anyone who was thinking about having a kid – just do it. 

‘At the end of the day you’re as old as you feel.’ 

Experts often highlight that older mothers face increased risks – as do their unborn children, who are more likely to have genetic conditions. 

But Ms Clarke claims she experienced minimal side effects.  

‘All I suffered from were migraines but I already suffered from them and I couldn’t take my normal medicine,’ she said.

‘The only cravings were strawberries and pineapple and the only thing that got fat were my ankles.’

By the time people reach midlife, many have the wisdom they lacked in their 20s, a clearer sense of where their life is headed and fewer concerns about what others think.

But this stage of life also brings a wave of changes that can make it feel as though you’re starting all over again.  

Aside from the dreaded ‘midlife crisis’, hormonal shifts such as menopause and a slowing metabolism can make it easier to gain weight, particularly around the midriff, leaving many feeling as though their bodies are working against them.  

Amid these changes, many forget that midlife – officially defined as between the ages of 40 and 65 – can also bring a serious problem: an increased risk of heart disease, an umbrella term for a range of conditions that affect the blood-pumping organ and the arteries leading into it.

As a result of natural ageing and lifestyle factors – obesity and overweight rates tend to surge at this age in the UK – blood vessels tend to become less flexible, and blood pressure and cholesterol rise, both of which are triggers for heart disease.

But according to Dr Oliver Guttmann, a consultant cardiologist at the private HCA Wellington Hospital in London, a number of seemingly harmless everyday habits – from choosing seemingly healthier ‘fat-free’ foods to the time you go to bed – could also be quietly increasing the risk of heart disease.

He told the Daily Mail: ‘I don’t think most people in their 40s and 50s are thinking about heart disease at all. They’re too busy – juggling work, kids, sometimes ageing parents too – and heart health just isn’t on the radar until something actually happens. They thought this was a problem for later in life, for when they’re older.’ 

We asked Dr Guttmann for his expert opinion on the simple lifestyle changes people in midlife can make to reduce their risk of heart disease, which claims the lives of around 170,000 Britons every year. 

Dr Oliver Guttmann says a number of seemingly harmless everyday habits could be quietly increasing the risk of heart disease

When you eat may matter

Many people in midlife have reached senior positions at work, with longer hours and packed schedules often pushing dinner later into the evening. 

But according to Dr Guttmann, eating too close to bedtime could be problematic.

He said: ‘Eating close to bedtime forces the body to manage a large metabolic load – digestion, insulin response – right when it should be winding down. 

‘This is linked to poorer nutrient metabolism, disrupted sleep, and over time, higher risk of weight gain and metabolic syndrome, both of which feed into heart disease risk.’

Research has consistently linked late-night eating with a greater risk of obesity, which raises the risk of serious complications including type 2 diabetes and heart disease. 

Over time, excess weight can damage the arteries, allowing fatty deposits to build up.

If these block the arteries supplying the heart, they can trigger a heart attack. If they affect blood vessels supplying the brain, they can also increase the risk of stroke and vascular dementia.  

A study in 2022 by Harvard Medical School found that overweight or obese adults who ate the same meals around four hours later in the day felt hungrier and burned fewer calories, suggesting meal timing may play a role in weight gain and, ultimately, heart health.

‘Fat-free’ options may not be better

Walking through supermarket aisles, it can be tempting – particularly for those looking to shed weight – to reach for foods labelled ‘fat free’.

From yoghurts and cheeses to popular condiments, there is no shortage of products marketed as the healthier choice.  

Dr Guttmann, however, advises looking beyond the front of the packet, warning that removing fat often means products may contain additives that may also be harmful to health.

He said: ‘When fat is stripped out, manufacturers often add sugar, salt, or thickeners to compensate for lost taste and texture. 

‘So a ‘fat-free’ label can mask a product that’s actually worse for cardiovascular health than the full-fat version, particularly where refined sugar is the substitute.’

Many fat-free products contain these added sugars and extra salt, which can increase the risk of heart disease and weight gain.

Some also contain thickeners and stabilisers, such as xanthan gum, to improve texture. 

While these are generally considered safe by food regulators, some people report digestive side effects such as inflammation, bloating or diarrhoea when consuming large amounts. 

Heart disease – the umbrella term for a range of conditions that affect the heart – kills around 170,000 people every year in Britain

Hidden salt can catch you out

It’s not just fat-free products that deserve a closer look, says Dr Guttmann. 

Many foods that appear healthy at first glance can contain surprisingly high amounts of salt, potentially increasing the risk of high blood pressure.

High blood pressure is the leading preventable cause of stroke, and Britain’s fourth biggest killer per year.

He said: ‘Many products marketed as healthy – flavoured yoghurts, soups, sauces, even bread – carry surprisingly high salt content used to enhance flavour or preserve shelf life. 

‘People are far more salt-aware when eating crisps or ready meals than when reaching for something branded as nutritious, which is exactly what makes hidden salt so dangerous – it’s consumed without suspicion. 

‘This can contribute to high blood pressure and increase the risk of heart disease and strokes.’ 

Dr Guttmann’s warning is backed up by national data showing that much of the salt in the average British diet is hidden in everyday foods rather than added at the table. 

Public Health England estimates that around three-fifths of the salt Britons consume has already been added to processed foods, while just 15 to 20 per cent comes from salt added during cooking or at the table.

Consistent sleep times are important

It’s not just avoiding late-night meals that matters – keeping a regular bedtime could also help protect your heart. 

A 2024 study led by researchers at the University of Ottawa, which analysed data from more than 72,000 UK adults, found that people with irregular bedtimes and wake-up times were 26 per cent more likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke than those who kept a consistent sleep schedule, even if they got the recommended amount of sleep. 

Dr Guttmann said: ‘Irregular sleep patterns disrupt the body’s circadian rhythm, which plays a key role in regulating blood pressure and cortisol – the body’s main stress hormone.

‘Going to bed at wildly different times each night keeps the cardiovascular system in a state of flux rather than allowing it to settle into its natural nocturnal dip in blood pressure.

‘Over years, this can contribute to sustained hypertension (high blood pressure), which is one of the biggest drivers of heart disease.’

Sitting for a long time may harm heart health

With more people working from home since the Covid pandemic and spending hours at a desk, many Britons are moving less than ever before. 

But experts have consistently warned that prolonged periods of sitting can increase the risk of developing serious heart problems, even among those who exercise regularly.

Worryingly, just one in three adults in the UK achieves at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day, while around 20 million fail to meet the recommended minimum of at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week. 

And Dr Guttmann warns that prolonged periods without physical activity could be a growing driver of heart disease.

He explained: ‘Sitting for long stretches slows circulation, reduces insulin sensitivity, and is independently associated with higher cardiovascular risk – even in people who exercise regularly. 

‘It’s not just about calories; prolonged stillness affects vascular function in ways a single workout doesn’t fully offset.’

The good news is that even small bursts of movement can help, as a study published last month in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that taking five-minute walking breaks throughout the working day can improve health.

Health officials in the Southwestern US are on high alert amid a surge of a life-threatening mosquito-borne illness.

Mosquitoes in at least 13 cities in Orange County, California – just south of Los Angeles – have tested positive for West Nile virus, according to the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District.

The county’s latest surveillance data shows 38 positive mosquito samples, with the largest concentration of 15 samples in Fullerton. 

There have also been seven positive samples in Buena Park, three in Anaheim, three in Santa Ana and two in Huntington Beach. 

Brea, Costa Mesa, Cypress, Garden Grove, Newport Beach, Seal Beach, Stanton and Westminster have each reported one positive sample. 

Additionally, Ventura County – northwest of Los Angeles – reported its first mosquito samples that were positive for West Nile virus. In northern California, Yolo and Sacramento counties have also found West Nile positive mosquitoes. 

California has, however, only reported one human case of West Nile virus so far this year, in Los Angeles County. But in neighboring Arizona, there have been 35 human cases so far, 29 of which were in Maricopa County, which includes Phoenix. 

California’s Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District has said it will implement mosquito control treatments in a 4.5-square-mile area of Fullerton from July 9 through July 11 between 1am and 5am. 

West Nile virus is caused by a bite from Culex mosquitoes (pictured above) and is most common in Great Plains states

‘We only treat when there is an abundance of mosquitoes and the presence of disease,’ district officials told KTLA. ‘Then that triggers us to go out with our trucks and knock down the adults [mosquitoes].’

One Fullerton resident told the outlet that the mosquitoes in the area have ‘been getting pretty bad.’

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‘I don’t go out anymore because you go out and then just mosquitoes, like, right in your face,’ they added. 

The Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District said in a press release it will continue to monitor the virus through ‘widespread mosquito trapping and testing’ according to the press release, and the department will also adapt ground treatments in virus-positive areas. 

California has reported a total of 261 West Nile-positive mosquito samples in 2026, along with 133 in dead birds and one in a horse, according to the state’s case dashboard. 

West Nile virus is caused by a bite from Culex mosquitoes and is most common in Great Plains states like North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska and Colorado, though cities like Los Angeles, Chicago and Dallas-Fort Worth also record high levels due to large populations. 

Many of these states have also extended mosquito season – which runs from late spring through early fall – due to the increases in mosquito prevalence later in the year. 

The disease usually causes no symptoms, but in one in five patients, it can lead to fever, headaches, nausea, diarrhea, joint pain and pain behind the eyes. 

And one percent of cases are neuroinvasive, meaning the virus penetrates the blood-brain barrier and travels to the meninges, causing meningitis and potential paralysis.

CDC data shows 56 human cases of West Nile virus so far this year in 15 states, 44 of which were neuroinvasive. Last year there were a total of 2,100, up from 1,800 the year before. 

Arizona has reported the most human cases of West Nile virus cases this year so far with 35, according to CDC data

It’s unclear how many of last year’s cases were neuroinvasive, but CDC data shows there were 1,342 hospitalizations for neuroinvasive disease. 

There have been no deaths recorded this year and 172 last year.

Older adults, people with weakened immune systems, and those with certain chronic conditions face the highest risk of severe illness due to West Nile.

Even survivors of severe West Nile illness may experience long-lasting complications, including memory problems, chronic fatigue, muscle tremors, or permanent neurological damage.

West Nile virus can be prevented primarily by avoiding mosquito bites. 

CDC officials recommend using insect repellents that contain the ingredient DEET, wearing long sleeves and pants outside and staying inside between dusk and dawn during the summer.