Meaning of "later life"

[All Potted Out]

"...this results in backache, which is one of the commonest symptoms of pregnancy, particularly in the third trimester as the fetus becomes heavier. This also frequently results in the woman suffering from a prolapsed uterus in later life."

Does "later life" mean "life after pregnancy" or "old age"?

[Alan]

Hi,

In this context it simply means as the woman gets older.

A
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[Conchita]

[Pond969]

I don't think I would agree with Conchita on that one. I think Alan's response hits the nail on the head... In later life means in the later years of one's life, although I would say it compasses middle as well as old age.

[Tamara]

Hi

Could in such a context 'her later life' be replaced by 'her future life'? (without lose of meaning).
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[Alan]

Hi Tamara,

(without loss of meaning note the spelling ). Later life suggests, as I said, getting older but her 'future life' puts an emphasis on some kind of change in a way of living and very often attaches itself to a young person starting out.

A
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[Pond969]

Tamara ... I think using 'future life' would result in a loss of meaning. For a very young woman aged,say, 20... future life might mean when she was 28... that would not be her 'later life' as I understand the term and describe it above.