Special Concerns of the Expectant Couple over No matter what their age, most expectant coupl have concerns regarding the well-being of the fetus and their bility to parent. The older couple has additional concerns related to their age, especially the closer they are to 40 Some couples are concerned about whether theywill have enough energy to care for a new baby. Of greater con cern is their ability to deal with the needs of the child in ten years when they, too, are ten years older The financial concerns of the older couple are usually different from those of the younger couple. The older couple is generally more financially secure than the younger couple. However, when their "baby" is ready for college, the older couple may be close to retirement, when they might not have the means to provide for their child. While considering their financial future and future re tirement, the older couple may be forced to face their own mortality. Certainly this is not uncommon in midlife, but instead of confronting this issue at 40 to 45 years of age or the older expectant couple may confront the issue several years earlier as they consider what will happen as their child grows The older expectant couple may find themselves somewhat isolated socially. They may feel "different" be cause they are often the only couple in their peer group