Nowadays, many women put things like their education and career first, so they put things like marriage and having children on hold. So, it has become very common to think about becoming a mother after the age of 35 or 40. Maybe you are also someone who thinks about it and has such hopes. There is nothing wrong with this. However, from a medical point of view, certain risks can arise during pregnancy with age. Don't worry, today we are talking about what those risks are, how we can deal with them well, and what we need to do to have a healthy pregnancy .
Why does the risk increase with age?
To understand this, we need to know a little about how our bodies work. Simply put, when a woman is born, she has a lifetime supply of eggs in her body. This means that as we age, our eggs also age.
According to doctors, a woman's fertility begins to decline gradually after the age of 30. This decline accelerates after the age of 35. After the age of 40, the ability to conceive naturally can decrease significantly. Nature doesn't think of us that way. Nature wants us to have children in our 20s and early 30s.
But this does not mean that it is impossible to become a mother after the age of 40. With the advancement of medical technology today, many people have been able to realize this dream under proper medical supervision. The most important thing is to be aware of the risks and prepare for them.
This table lists some of the main risks that may arise during pregnancy as age increases.
| Risk Factor | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Miscarriage | Older eggs may have problems with their chromosomes, which increases the risk of miscarriage early in pregnancy. |
| Chromosomal Abnormalities | The risk of conceiving a child with genetic conditions such as Down Syndrome increases with age. |
| Gestational Diabetes | There is a high risk of developing gestational diabetes, a condition that can affect both the mother and the baby. |
| High Blood Pressure | There is a risk of high blood pressure during pregnancy. This can sometimes develop into a dangerous condition called toxemia . |
| Other complications | There is an increased risk of placental problems, excessive bleeding during childbirth, and premature birth. |
What should we do to have a healthy pregnancy?
Okay, now we know the risks. But this is not something to be afraid of. The most important thing is your health, not your age . If you are healthy, you can reduce your risks a lot. Here are some things you can do to help.
1. See your doctor before getting pregnant.
This is the most important step. If you are thinking about having a baby, see a qualified doctor, especially an obstetrician and gynecologist, before you even start trying. They will assess your current health conditions (e.g., diabetes, high blood pressure ) and give you advice on how to manage them. They will also make sure that any medications you are taking are appropriate for pregnancy and make any necessary adjustments.
2. Start taking folic acid.
You should start taking a daily vitamin that contains folic acid from the moment you decide to have a baby. Folic acid is a B vitamin. Taking it before conception and during the first few weeks of pregnancy can help prevent birth defects in the baby's brain and spinal cord (such as spina bifida ). Talk to your doctor about this and find out the right dosage.
3. Quit smoking and alcohol completely
This applies to any pregnant mother. But especially for pregnant mothers over the age of 40, it is essential to completely avoid smoking and alcohol consumption. These things can increase the risk of miscarriage, low birth weight, and many other complications.
4. Special medical examinations and monitoring
An older pregnant mother will need a little more medical supervision than a normal pregnant mother. Don't be afraid of these tests . They are done to protect you and your baby.
- Amniocentesis test: Now, the name may sound a little scary to you. But this is a test that doctors do very carefully. It is usually done between 15-18 weeks of pregnancy. Here, a very fine needle is inserted through the mother's abdomen and a very small amount of the amniotic fluid surrounding the baby is removed. Examining this fluid can very accurately identify chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome and conditions such as spina bifida. This test is offered to all pregnant women over the age of 35.
- Special scans (Ultrasound Scans):
- Between 20-22 weeks: The scan performed at this time carefully examines the structure of the baby's heart and checks for any heart conditions. It also measures blood flow in the arteries that supply blood from the mother to the baby, which can give an indication of whether the baby is at risk of intrauterine growth retardation or high blood pressure in the mother ( toxemia ).
- At 32 weeks: Another scan will be done at this time to check if the baby is developing properly. If there are any concerns, your doctor may recommend bed rest.
If you have all these tests done correctly and follow the doctor's instructions, you can be very optimistic about the possibility of giving birth to a healthy child.
Take-Home Message
- It is now common to plan a pregnancy after the age of 40. But it is very important to be aware of the risks associated with it.
- Your overall health is more important than your age. Following a healthy lifestyle can prevent many complications.
- Before you even start thinking about having a child, see a doctor and get the necessary advice and tests.
- Take folic acid daily from the moment you start trying to get pregnant.
- Don't skip all scans and special tests (such as amniocentesis) recommended by your doctor. These are for your and your baby's safety.
- Face this journey with good mental health, happiness, and optimism. With proper medical supervision, everything can be successful.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න