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One night soon I’m going to wake in a cold sweat from an anxiety dream.

Not the one about failing to revise for my O Levels, or remembering on Christmas morning I’ve forgotten to buy a turkey.

No, I’m going to sit bolt upright gasping at the terrifying realisation that I’ve FORGOTTEN TO HAVE A BABY!

Which means I’m going to die in a care home, a sad, lonely old lady, writes Rachael Bletchly.

Because that, say this week’s ­patronising windbags, is the nightmare awaiting ALL childless women like me.

The Office for National Statistics says record numbers of my generation have not had kids – 18 per cent of women born in 1969 compared with 11 per cent in 1942.

That doesn’t ­surprise me at all, considering the advent of the Pill and the post-war social changes that gave women more choice and opportunity.

But the comments of some ­sanctimonious critics infuriate me.

“There is a terrible price to be paid for childlessness,” tutted one female researcher from a Tory-leaning think tank. “People will find there is no one to look after them when they are old.”

Crikey! Maybe I should have popped out an offspring, just to ensure someone can help me on to the commode.

This “expert” droned on: “It is all terribly sad. Very few childless women are happy with their situation, but it is a situation many women have desired.

"It is something you must face up to if you chose to put career before children and family.”

What a disgraceful and insulting over-generalisation.

It’s NOT that I “chose to put career before family”.

I just didn’t have children. But the reason why is nobody else’s business.

In my 30s whenever a mum asked if I had kids I’d find myself replying, “No, but I have two nephews”, as if to prove I do still have a nurturing instinct.

Now I’m 51 and I’m still being judged, like millions of other childless women.

But I am happy, successful, have a wide and loving extended family and have worked hard to ensure that if I am alone in my dotage I’ll be able to pay for care.

I love children and I respect those who take on the great responsibility of parenthood . It just wasn’t for me.

There was another report out this week, saying more women than ever are struggling to balance a career with the pressures of raising children and caring for elderly parents.

They, of course, are branded the “Have-it-all Generation” and judged for being over-ambitious.

Maybe one day I’ll wake up to reports about selfish, childless men and working fathers cracking up under the strain of careers and family life. Dream on.