To determine the maximum number of children a healthy woman can bear within her reproductive window, we need to consider several factors including the reproductive age span and the natural limits of human fertility.
1. Reproductive Age Span: Typically, a woman's reproductive age begins around 15 years old and lasts until around 45 years old, giving approximately 30 years of potential childbearing.
2. Pregnancy and Childbirth Intervals: On average, a full-term pregnancy lasts about 9 months. Post childbirth, a woman may need some time for recovery and to regain health before conceiving again. Let's assume a minimal interval of 1-2 years between childbirths for recovery.
Given these considerations:
- Number of Pregnancies Over Reproductive Span: If a woman were to have a child every 1.5 to 2 years, in a 30-year reproductive period, she could potentially have:
- At the lowest interval (1.5 years): Approx. 30 years / 1.5 years ≈ 20 children
- At the highest interval (2 years): Approx. 30 years / 2 years = 15 children
Considering practical limitations, health, and potential gaps due to miscarriages or other factors that might limit continuous childbearing to the maximum, the number lies in the range of 15-20 children.
Therefore, amongst the given options, D) 20 is the most reasonable answer for the maximum number of children a healthy woman can bear within her reproductive window.
So, the answer is:
D) 20
