Kirstie Allsopp Criticises Women Who Delay Motherhood: 'IVF Is Not A Lifestyle Choice'

Kirstie Allsopp Criticises Women Who Delay Motherhood: 'IVF Is Not A Lifestyle Choice'
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 12: Kirstie Allsopp attends 'A Night of Reggae' hosted by Helena Bonham Carter for Save The Children UK at The Roundhouse on March 12, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 12: Kirstie Allsopp attends 'A Night of Reggae' hosted by Helena Bonham Carter for Save The Children UK at The Roundhouse on March 12, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Getty Images)

Kirstie Allsopp has criticised women who delay having children and then turn to fertility treatment to get pregnant.

The Location Location Location presenter said: "IVF is not a lifestyle choice...it's not designed to be done because you and your husband thought 30 was the new 20."

The mum-of-two made her comments in a an interview with Good Housekeeping magazine.

She was asked about women over 35 wanting to start families and replied: "I didn't meet the right person until I was 32. I know that lots of people don't meet the right person and lots of women are panicked and unhappy and sad about this.

"It's not that I don't understand that everyone comes to different things at different stages in life.

"But IVF is not a lifestyle choice. It's a wonderful medical innovation which helps couples suffering from infertility, but it's not designed to be done because you and your husband thought 30 was the new 20."

The 43-year-old – who gave birth to her two sons at 35 and 37 – and has been in a relationship with property developer Ben Andersen for 10 years, said she will encourage her children to settle down and commit to having their own kids in their 20s rather than face having to pursue IVF.

She said: "I would say, 'Darling you're 27, your girlfriend is 27. You've just bought your first flat. Would you like me to help with the childcare?'

"Not all grandmothers are in that position, I realise that. But I want men to know that if you are in a committed relationship with someone at 30, saying I don't want kids until we are 35 is not a loving thing to do.

"She is going to run the risk of having to pump drugs [from IVF] into her body."

The outspoken TV presenter first raised the issue in June when she urged young women to focus on finding a man and having a family before their fertility 'falls off a cliff' at 35.

She said at the time: ''At the moment, women have 15 years to go to university, get their career on track, try and buy a home and have a baby.

She said: "That is a hell of a lot to ask someone. As a passionate feminist, I feel we have not been honest enough with women about this issue.

"We have to readjust. Don't go to university because it's an 'experience'. No, it's where you're supposed to learn something! Do it when you're 50!"

Despite criticism of her comments, Kirstie remains defiant.

The mum, who is backing a Snowflake Appeal for family charity Home-Start, said: "The problem is I'm my own worst enemy! If I wasn't posh, didn't wear skirts all the time, didn't do all this homemaking stuff on the telly, then it would be OK for me to say these things.

"But if I wasn't all of those things, then no one would be listening. So the controversy is in the perceived contradiction."

Good Housekeeping is on sale on Friday.

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