Actor Han Da-gam gives birth at 47, spotlighting late-in-life pregnancies

Actor Han Da-gam gave birth to a healthy baby boy at 47, drawing fresh attention to late-in-life pregnancies as more women in their 40s become mothers amid a broader trend of delayed marriage and childbirth in South Korea.

The birth was shown on KBS 2TV's "Superman Is Back," which aired recently. Han delivered her son on Sept. 22, and the baby — nicknamed "Chalddeokie" during the pregnancy — weighed 2.64 kilograms at birth. The boy has since been named Kim Ju-won.

Han was moved to tears when she heard her son cry for the first time. "Thank you for staying healthy," she said. "I'll do my best to be a good mother."

Han had previously said she began preparing for pregnancy in her mid-40s and conceived through in vitro fertilization. She was introduced on the program as the oldest mother to give birth among South Korean entertainers.

Medically, a woman who gives birth at 35 or older is classified as an advanced maternal age mother. While the number of health factors to consider during pregnancy increases with age, older age alone does not make a healthy birth impossible.

Births among women in their 40s are on the rise in South Korea, and the average age at which women give birth has consistently climbed.

According to the Ministry of Statistics' "2025 Birth Statistics," the average age of mothers at childbirth last year was 33.8, up 0.2 years from the previous year.

The birth rate among women aged 35 to 39 rose to 52.1 per 1,000 women in that age group, an increase of 6.0 from the prior year and the highest level since related statistics began being compiled.

Birth rates also increased among women in their 40s. The rate for women aged 40 to 44 rose to 8.5 per 1,000, up 0.8 from the previous year, while the rate for women aged 45 to 49 edged up 0.1 to 0.3 per 1,000.

Births in the late 40s remain rare, but childbearing is now occurring across a wider range of ages than before.

Advanced maternal age is generally defined as being 35 or older at the expected date of delivery. However, the risks of pregnancy do not change sharply the moment a woman turns 35. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) says care plans for older mothers should account for the patient's exact age, baseline health and any existing medical conditions.

Being classified as an advanced maternal age mother does not in itself mean an unhealthy pregnancy. What matters is a comprehensive look at the mother's health before conception, her care during pregnancy and the baby's development throughout.

The key to a healthy outcome in a late-in-life pregnancy is consistent monitoring of both the mother and the baby throughout the gestational period.

Prenatal checkups track the mother's blood pressure, blood sugar and weight changes, as well as the baby's growth. Ultrasound examinations assess fetal development and physical structure.

For women 40 or older, additional ultrasounds to monitor fetal growth and fetal health assessments in the later stages of pregnancy may be recommended.

Older mothers are not automatically required to deliver by cesarean section. ACOG says vaginal delivery remains an option in advanced maternal age pregnancies when there are no significant medical concerns for the mother or baby, and that age alone should not determine the mode of delivery.

Appropriate physical activity during pregnancy also supports overall health. ACOG recommends that pregnant women without specific medical complications aim for about 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week, with walking, swimming and stationary cycling among the most commonly suggested activities.

Regular exercise helps prevent excessive weight gain during pregnancy and supports cardiovascular fitness. It may also reduce the risk of gestational diabetes and hypertension.

Diet is equally important. Getting adequate amounts of protein, iron, folic acid and calcium during pregnancy is essential. Rather than restricting weight too aggressively, the goal is to maintain an appropriate weight gain based on the mother's pre-pregnancy weight and the baby's growth.

Han's son weighed 2.64 kilograms at birth. The threshold for low birth weight used by the WHO and other organizations is below 2.5 kilograms.

A newborn's health is assessed not by birth weight alone but through a combination of factors including gestational age, breathing and overall physical condition. Many babies born at relatively low weights go on to grow up healthy.

Recovery after childbirth requires sustained attention to the mother's health and physical condition.

Pregnancy and delivery place considerable strain on the abdominal and pelvic floor muscles. In the immediate postpartum period, it is better to prioritize rest and adequate nutrition rather than rushing to lose weight or ramp up exercise intensity.

For women who have had a cesarean section, activity levels should be adjusted based on how the surgical site is healing. Light activity such as walking is a good starting point, with the range and intensity of exercise gradually increased under medical guidance.

Light physical activity after childbirth supports circulation and physical recovery. ACOG notes that postpartum exercise can improve mood, reduce stress and help restore abdominal muscle function.

Kegel exercises — which involve contracting and relaxing the pelvic floor muscles — are also used during postpartum recovery. The pelvic floor supports the bladder, uterus and rectum, and targeted exercise can help restore muscle function weakened by childbirth and maintain bladder control.

A balanced diet that includes protein, vegetables and whole grains is also important. Since sleep tends to become irregular after childbirth, enlisting family support to secure adequate rest can aid recovery as well.

For women in middle age, maintaining muscle mass and bone density becomes increasingly important. Once recovery is sufficiently complete, combining aerobic exercise with strength training is a good way to sustain physical fitness.

The health outcomes of pregnancy and childbirth are not determined by age alone. Checking one's health before conception, keeping up with prenatal examinations throughout pregnancy and managing recovery after delivery are all key elements of a healthy pregnancy and birth.