We all know Paris Hilton – remember The Simple Life? Well how times have changed for the American superstar.

Yesterday it was announced that the iconic Paris is pregnant with her first child at 40 years old and we couldn’t be happier for her.

However, some might say that 40 could be bordering on ‘too old’ to have a baby – are there health risks involved? What does this mean for the parents? Is there really an ideal age to have a baby or is the narrative outdated?

We spoke to a range of experts, looking for insight into these pressing questions. Siobhan Obodai-Payne, senior midwife and founder of Precious Delivery (pictured left), said: “Statistically, there are higher risk factors from the age of 35 and the risks increase as you get older.

“Your age may affect how well the placenta is able to develop. This could make other complications more likely, including having a baby with a low birth weight, low-lying placenta or placenta praevia, pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, placental abruption, caesarean section or even miscarriage.

“If you go past your due date, women in their 40s are twice as likely to have a stillbirth in comparison to women under 35. This is a key reason that an induction of labour is offered at/or around 40 weeks.”

She adds that whilst most pregnancies over 40 are healthy there are some things you can do to maintain a healthy pregnancy.

Siobhan said: “Consume a balanced and healthy diet, gently exercise for 30 minutes a day, monitor fetal movements and avoid alcohol and smoking. If you experience any problems, be sure to contact your midwife or local maternity unit immediately.”

Even though there may be some physical issues involved with older pregnancies, Tess Leigh-Phillips, counsellor at The Mind Map, a mental health training and counselling service, believes there is definitely more to think about alongside health reasons.

Tess said: “Having a baby at any age can be stressful. At 40, however, you are likely to be more secure in your life, more stable. You have perspective, wisdom, experience.

“I am aware the risk of complications increases slightly, yet generally the dangers and risks if you are a healthy woman with a reasonably-balanced lifestyle are not heightened to the point that it is too off-putting to a lot of women and couples.

“What does put many off and what I hear quite a few women talk about is the exhaustion that follows. In your 40s you have less energy and lack of sleep affects you more, it’s as simple as that.”

Tess names “peri-menopause” as something women should definitely be aware of.

She said: “While not widely talked about, it is definitely a big thing that causes draining physical symptoms for a number of women in their early 40s.”

As well as this, Tess highlights the importance of other contributing life factors when deciding to have a baby later in life, such as ageing parents.

She said: “Your own parents are going to be ageing. The mental strain of wanting to care for both elderly parents and young children can be massive.

“A support network or a determined and supportive partner is crucial. Make sure you aren’t going to be alone through the process.

“You will need to take care of your physical and mental health and this means you will need to be able to have some time to yourself, however devoted a new parent you are.”

With Paris being the woman she is, Tess argued: “It’s extremely likely Paris has all this in place – financial stability, help and the maturity to carry her through. Good on her I say and congratulations!”

If this isn’t the life you are living, don’t think that having a baby at 40 is unattainable as Tess said: “I’d advocate weighing up your own individual situation, all the pros and cons and doing what’s best for you.

“The fact is that the joy of having a baby really can ultimately outweigh any stress and concerns and exhaustion! Just be prepared, that’s all!”

With there being positives and negatives to conceiving at 40, the social expectations around having children can be seen as part of the stigma, especially when it comes to age. We spoke to stress relief and self-worth therapist Laura Steventon who believes that the notion of an “ideal age to have a child” needs to be disregarded,

She said: “I strongly believe that we need to change the narrative around societal expectations. The ideal age is when the woman is mentally and emotionally ready to carry the child – it is her choice.”

She adds that whilst there are a lot of biological factors to consider “there are as many solutions that could make having a child a reality at any age”.

Laura continued: “We have the responsibility, in a world that is learning to recognize the impacts of societal narrative on mental health, that setting an ideal age range can be as destructive as only having one stereotype body or race represented in the media.

“We should support and celebrate people’s choices, regardless of age. I treat so many adults in their late 40s who fundamentally believe they have failed at life because they didn’t have children.

“There are so many options available but society is too busy judging what is normal. There is no such thing as normal. There are your circumstances and your choices.”