By: Laura Bennett
When Beth Caulfield discovered she was pregnant in her mid-40s, it was the last thing she expected.
Married, studying at seminary, and with almost-grown children, the pregnancy exposed cultural attitudes toward mid-life conception and, years later, inspired her debut feature film Conceivable.
The film mirrors Beth’s journey, following 45-year-old Brielle as she navigates an unexpected pregnancy and all of the emotional, ethical, and relational complexities that come with it.
“There are many women in their 40s having these pregnancies, and we get a whole lot of different advice and scare,” Beth said.
“I recognised that I wasn’t alone, and I knew it was a story that needed to be told to drum up compassion and awareness.”
In Beth’s experience, the advice women get is often mixed and confronting.
“Friends – well-meaning friends – told me this could ruin my life,” Beth said.
“That we’d never retire and there could be problems with the baby that would cause financial concerns.
“It certainly alienated me from people who were moving on to what we’d call an ‘empty nest’ situation.”
Thankfully, alongside those fears were voices of encouragement.
“I had wonderful people who surrounded me, saying, ‘This is the next chapter in your life. It’s exciting. It’s ordained by God,” Beth said.
“You’re not walking through it alone.’”
“People don’t recognise how common these unplanned pregnancies are,” Beth said.
“I was just talking to a pregnancy centre in a university town, and they told me most of the women coming in with unplanned pregnancies are over 35. It surprised even them.”
The conversation surrounding older motherhood, she explained, often overlooks the complexity of women’s real lives.
“What gets headlines are fertility issues or people waiting to have kids later,” Beth said.
“But we don’t talk about surprise pregnancies – and how society reacts to them. It’s either treated like a miracle or a mistake, depending on who you ask.”
Beth describes Conceivable as “faith-informed, not faith-based.”
“Often, faith-based films show one theological view only,” Beth said.
“I wanted to represent the variety of experiences and beliefs people hold, even within the church.
“Everyone’s not perfect, and we all walk through challenges.”
Now nearing 60, Beth sees this season as a reminder that new beginnings don’t have an expiry date.
“Every step has been risky,” Beth said.
“But that’s where growth happens.
“Whether it’s starting a prison ministry or making a film, I’ve learned that if it’s scary, you’re probably exactly where you’re supposed to be.”
For more information about Conceivable, visit their website.
Article supplied with thanks to Hope Media.
Feature image: Supplied
