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Beth Battaglino, RN-C, CEO of HealthyWomen

Beth brings a unique combination of sharp business expertise and women's health insight to her leadership of the organization. Beth has worked in the health care industry for more than 25 years helping to define and drive public education programs on a broad range of women's health issues. She launched and has expanded the HealthyWomen.org brand. As a result of her leadership, HealthyWomen was recognized as one of the top 100 women's health web sites by Forbes for three consecutive years, and was recognized by Oprah magazine as one of the top women's health web sites. HealthyWomen now connects to millions of women across the country through its wide program distribution and innovative use of technology.

Beth is responsible for the business development and strategic positioning of HealthyWomen. She creates partnerships with key health care professionals and consumer groups to provide strategic, engaging and informative award-winning programs. She serves as the organization's chief spokesperson, regularly participating in corporate, non-profit, community and media events. She also is a practicing nurse in maternal child health at Riverview Medical Center- Hackensack Meridian Health, in Red Bank, NJ.

In addition to her nursing degree, Beth holds degrees in political science, business and public administration from Marymount University.

To stay sane, she loves to run and compete in road races. She enjoys skiing and sailing with her husband and young son, and welcoming new babies into the world.

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beth with her baby

Let’s Stop Using the Term “Advanced Maternal Age”

From now on, moms who are 35+ will be referred to as midlife moms. Who’s with me?! Being a midlife mom myself, I can tell you: We’re pretty incredible.

Pregnancy & Postpartum
midlife pregnancy

If you get pregnant when you're 35 years old or older, you're stamped with this label: advanced maternal age or “AMA." This makes me cringe, and I'm sure I'm not alone.

From now on, moms who are 35+ will be referred to as midlife moms. Who's with me?! Being a midlife mom myself, I can tell you: We're pretty incredible.

Midlife moms are …

Celebrities. More women in the spotlight are waiting until after their 35th birthday to start their family. Recently actress Eva Mendes, 40, and her younger beau, actor Ryan Gosling, 33, welcomed a beautiful baby girl, Esmeralda Amada Gosling. Mendes joins other celebrity midlife moms like TODAY's Savannah Guthrie and Scandal actress Kerry Washington. Even though you may not be in the spotlight, I'm sure you're a star in your family's eyes. Seriously!

Well established in their careers. Many midlife moms are at the peaks of their careers. Look at Yahoo! President and CEO Marissa Mayer, 39, who gave birth to her first child shortly after stepping into this big role. While I don't agree with some of the decisions Mayer has made—like banning Yahoo!'s telecommute policy—I do applaud her for changing Yahoo!'s maternity leave policy, lengthening its time and providing a cash bonus to parents.

In the middle. Not only are midlife moms caring for their children, they also have to keep their parents' health in mind, too. Oftentimes, midlife moms become “women in the middle"—in-between their children and their parents, all of whom may need care.

Multitasking pros. Whether breast pumping between connecting flights or rehearsing a work presentation while rocking your little one, midlife moms are generally nonstop. Sure, it's challenging, but at this point in a woman's life, she's up to the challenge.

Moms. At the end of the day, no matter what age a woman has a child, she is a mom. She may have slightly different concerns than a 20-something mom, but she still puts her child's health and happiness above all. Terms like “advanced maternal age" is just plain offensive. Just call me “Mom," please.

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