Late motherhood: Thinking about having a baby after age 40? (Advanced Maternal Age)

Nowadays, many women are not what they used to be. They are studying well, working well, and settling down in life. With all this, marriage and motherhood are also being pushed back a bit. Maybe you are someone who thinks this way, and is hoping to become a mother at the age of 35, 40, or even older. This is becoming a common thing in the world as well as in our country. So today, let's talk about what the real situation is of becoming a mother at such a late age, what are the advantages, disadvantages, and risks of it.

Why are so many people becoming mothers later now?

The simplest reason is that lifestyles have changed. Unlike before, women now have a lot of opportunities for education and employment. That's why many people want to achieve their goals, become financially stable, plan their lives well, and start a family. There's nothing wrong with that. In fact, if you look at the statistics around the world, you can see that there are fewer people having babies in their early 20s, and more people becoming mothers in their 30s and 40s. That means this is not just something you have, it's a trend that's happening all over the world.

Also, women are more concerned about their health now than ever before. Thanks to good nutrition, exercise, and better medical facilities, we live healthier and longer lives than ever before. As a result, many people believe that they can have a healthy baby even at the age of 40.

What happens to our fertility with age?

This is the most important thing we need to talk about honestly. No matter how healthy and young we look, we cannot stop the biological clock inside our bodies. Age especially affects the ovaries and eggs, which are the mainstays of a woman's fertility.

Simply put, a woman is born with a certain number of eggs. As she ages, the number of eggs gradually decreases. Also, the quality of the remaining eggs also decreases.

This is why when you get pregnant after the age of 40, the risk of miscarriage sometimes increases significantly. Some studies suggest that this risk can be as high as 90%. Also, the risk of the baby having certain genetic conditions (such as Down syndrome ) also increases with age.

Technology's Help: Are There No Solutions?

Fortunately, today's medical science is very advanced. There are various techniques to help those who want to become mothers later. Among these, the most important and a secret that not many people talk about is the use of "donor eggs" .

What does that mean?

What happens in this is that an egg taken from a younger, healthy woman is fertilized in the laboratory with the father's sperm (IVF - In Vitro Fertilization), and the resulting embryo is implanted in the uterus of an older woman who is expected to become the mother.

What this means is that even if the mother is 45 years old, the embryo is created from an egg from someone who is about 25 years old, so many of the genetic risks mentioned earlier are reduced. It's like, from the egg's perspective, the mother becomes like a 25-year-old again.

Even though the technology exists, are there risks for the mother and baby?

Yes. We need to understand this too. Even if the egg problem is solved with technology like ``Donor Eggs'', the embryo is carried by the body of an older mother for 9 months. As we age, our body's response to changes during pregnancy also changes. Therefore, the risk of certain complications increases.

These risks don't necessarily apply to you. However, you should be aware that you are more likely to experience these things than someone younger.

Things to consider besides health

Having a child is not just a health decision. Especially if you become a mother at the age of 50, there are many other factors to consider.

• Energy and Time: While your friends are free to take care of their children, you may have to run to your child's schoolwork and sports events. Do you have the physical and mental energy to do so?
• Longevity: This is a bit difficult to talk about, but it's something to think about. You could be 70 by the time your child is 20. Will you be able to be there for them during important times in their life? What will happen to them if you're not there?
• Financial and emotional readiness: Raising a child requires a lot of financial strength. Also, if the child has any special needs, do you have the financial and emotional strength to deal with them?

But behind all this, there are also advantages to becoming a mother later. You can pass on your life experiences and wisdom to your child. You are often financially stable, so you can provide a better future for your child. Also, because you work hard and care for your child, you are more likely to be a good, dedicated mother.

So how do you make the final decision?

This decision is entirely personal between you and your partner, but there are a few things you should do before you go on this journey.

1. Seek medical advice: See a good, experienced gynecologist and talk openly about your concerns. Get a complete understanding of your health condition.

2. Complete health checkup: Before trying to get pregnant, undergo a complete medical examination.

• Pap smear
• Mammogram test `(Mammogram)`
• E.C.G. Test `(Electrocardiogram - ECG)`
• Blood tests (to check things like sugar, cholesterol, etc.)

3. Mental preparation: If possible, it is very valuable to seek the help of a counselor to mentally prepare for a journey like this.

Having done all of this, and being well aware of the risks, the decision you make is the right one.