Marcia Cross, 44y, pregnant with 1st child

Celebrity Babies and Kids - People

August 6, 2006 -- Marcia Cross is pregnant with her first child, her publicist confirms.

The Desperate Housewives actress, 44, wasted no time starting a family after exchanging I do's with first husband, 48-year-old stockbroker Tom Mahoney, on June 24.

She is due in April when Housewives will be wrapping production on Season 3.

In 2005, Cross expressed her strong desire to have a child.

I definitely want to be a mom — whether I have to have my own or not, we'll see, she told USA TODAY.

Cross was well aware of the risks associated with later-in-life pregnancies and spoke frankly that she might feel more confident adopting or even hiring a surrogate.

Many new mothers in their 40s, she said, rely on donated eggs — at a very costly price tag.

I don't like the average woman being misled into thinking that fertility is something that goes on forever, said Cross.

When a woman gets older, they get donor eggs, which doesn't make the baby any less beautiful or perfect. One's own eggs only last so long, and sometimes at 43 or 44 you can have your own baby, but statistically it's very difficult and expensive. You don't want to wait that long.

This Pregnancy Over 40 story was found on USAtoday.com
Read more: Marcia Cross talks babies on EXTRA
Originally posted on August 6, 2006.

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Birth Begins at Forty: Challenging the Myths of Late Motherhood
by Elizabeth Gregory

-- More and more women are giving birth in their forties, and for some, it will be their first baby.

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The book covers a range of topics, including: the trend to late parenthood; how do you decide?; how easy is it?; the risks and differences with late motherhood; combating age prejudice; getting life back on track; having another baby; fathers over 40; and the benefits and delights.

Paperback: 203 pages
Click to order/for more info: Birth Begins at Forty