A single mum has achieved her dream family ahead of her 50th birthday after having her second baby alone aged 49.
Laura Sterne, from Toronto, Canada, gave birth to her son Jack, in May.
The 49-year-old already has two daughters, Avery, 15, from her previous marriage, and Alexandra, three - who was the first baby she had alone.
Laura had Alexandra as a single mum aged 46 after she was determined to have her dream family before she turned 50.
She said: "After my marriage broke down in my late thirties, I couldn't move past the fact that I wanted more kids.
"I tried dating for years and I just never found the person that I wanted to settle down with.
"So when I was in my forties I decided I wasn't going to waste anymore time and I started the process of becoming a solo mum.
"I was desperate for my eldest daughter to at least have one sibling.
"But after I had my first baby, Alexandra, there was still one embryo left in the freezer and the idea of having another was stuck in my brain.
"I was 48 and I just knew I needed to complete my family.
"There was such a big age gap between Avery and Alexandra I wanted another baby for Alexandra to grow up and play with.
"So I started the process again and got my dream family at the age of 49, ahead of my 50th birthday."
Laura had mixed feelings about becoming a single mum and building her family, but didn’t want to let her age get in the way of having more children and couldn’t be more delighted with her babies.
Laura said: "I knew it was going to be a big responsibility. I was feeling a mixture of guilt and excitement.
"I was also nervous because I was stepping outside of the box in order to have my dream family.
"When I was 48 and thinking about using the remaining embryo I was very back and forth on the decision because of my age but I am so happy that I went through with it.
"I am very active and I eat really healthily to give me the energy to take care of the two little ones.
"And so many older women are becoming parents more and more.
"I got to live my life to the fullest before I had my children, had lots of fun and got my career sorted.
"I don't think you should let age stop you. I think the babies keep me young.
"Although I am already saving for plastic surgery so that I can look my very best as an older mum.
"I don't want to look like my children's grandmother. I'm quite surprised I haven't already had this comment."
Laura works for a school board and completing her dream family cost her over £23,000 after she sold her home and moved in with her mum.
This freed up her cash and meant she was able to have two more children by herself.
Laura added: "It would of course be great to have had a partner to share this with if I had found the right one.
"But I think I am happier than if I had chosen to marry someone else to start a family.
"It's such a busy life and a lot at times but I love it. I adore my family.
"And I am so lucky that I have an amazing and supportive family to help me.
"It's a good job that I have lots of energy."
