Having children ages women's DNA by 11 years, new research suggests.

Giving birth shortens women's telomeres by around 4.2 per cent, a study found.

Telomeres ‘cap’ the end of DNA strands, with longer lengths being associated with slower aging, longer lifespans and improved overall health.

Such an extent of telomere shortening is greater than the effects of smoking or obesity demonstrated in previous studies.

Study author Dr Anna Pollack from George Mason University, Virginia, told New Scientist: 'We were surprised to find such a striking result. It is equivalent to around 11 years of accelerated cellular ageing.'

Researchers believe this may be due to the stress of raising children, particularly in countries without mandatory maternity leave, such as the US.

They stress, however, more research into the link between motherhood and genetic ageing is required, with Dr Pollack adding: 'We’re not saying "don’t have children".

Having children ages women's DNA by 11 years, new research suggests (stock)

DOES BICARBONATE OF SODA MAKE WOMEN LESS LIKELY TO HAVE CAESAREAN SECTIONS? Bicarbonate of soda helps women avoid Caesarean-sections, research suggested in January 2017. When dissolved in water, the kitchen staple enables between 17 and 20 per cent of women having slow or difficult labours to give birth naturally, without harming their babies, a study found. Speaking on the BBC's Today show, study author Professor Susan Wray from the University of Liverpool explained bicarb neutralises acids in the uterus, which increases women's likelihood of giving birth vaginally. The bicarbonate used is the standard type available in supermarkets. Around one-in-four births in the UK and one-in-three in the US are carried out via c-section. Although usually safe, the procedure can cause blood clots, excessive bleeding and womb infections. The researchers, which included scientists from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, analysed 200 women who had difficult or slow labours. Some of the women then drank water containing bicarbonate of soda. One hour later, they were given the hormone oxytocin, which is the standard-of-care during slow deliveries and causes the uterus to contract. Those not given bicarb were administered oxytocin immediately. The researchers believe consuming bicarb is a simple, cost-effective way to improve the wellbeing of mothers during labour all over the world. Advertisement

How the research was carried out

The researchers from George Mason University, Virginia, analysed 1,505 women aged between 20 and 44 who took part in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 1999 and 2002.

Of which, 444 had never given birth.

This survey was chosen because it measured its participants' telomere lengths via blood samples.

The study's participants' live birth histories were determined via a questionnaire.

The findings were published in the journal Human Reproduction.

'It’s like adding three more drops to a teaspoon'

The results contradict a study carried out in Malaysian women, which suggested having more children lengthens telomeres.

According to the more recent investigation's researchers, this may be due to the participants in the former study receiving greater social support.

Sex slows DNA ageing in women

This comes after research released in July last year suggests having sex at least once a week slows aging in women, even if they do not enjoy being intimate.

Being active between the sheets increases the length of women's telomeres, a study found.

Women's telomeres lengthen with regular love making regardless of whether they are sexually satisfied in their relationship, the research adds.

Researchers from the University of California in San Francisco believe sex may aid aging in women by dampening stress and boosting their immune systems.