Congratulations! You should be thrilled to be pregnant. Social science statistics suggest that children of older parents are more likely to do well in school and be professionals later in life. Not that you can’t do a good job when you are younger, but the likelihood of “successful” child rearing gets higher with age.
Having said that, there are still some pregnancy risks that increase with age, and that would particularly apply if you're pregnant in your 40s.
Miscarriage: About one third of all pregnancies in women between the ages of 40 and 44 end in miscarriage. There could be several reasons for this: the eggs may be defective to start with, the uterine lining may not be thick enough, or the blood supply to the uterus may not be rich enough to sustain the pregnancy. The risk of placenta previa and placenta abruption is also increased in pregnancy after 40.
Increased risk of genetic abnormalities: Risks of chromosomal birth defects steadily rise with each year into your forties. If you give birth at age 40, your baby has a 1 in 106 chance of being born with Down syndrome and a 1 in 66 chance of being born with any chromosomal abnormality. But, by age 44 those risks rise to 1 in 38 and 1 in 26, respectively. There are tests available for detecting chromosomal abnormalities relatively early into the pregnancy. If you choose to have the testing done and there is an abnormality, you'll have to decide whether you want to continue or terminate the pregnancy.
Pre-existing medical conditions could worsen during pregnancy. Even if you don’t have health problems, older women who are pregnant in their forties are more likely to develop gestational diabetes and pregnancy-related high blood pressure.
Greater risk of labour and delivery complications: Older women have a greater chance of prolonged second stage labour and fetal distress. There is also a higher risk of stillbirth.
Healthier moms have healthier pregnancies
In general, the healthier you are, the healthier your pregnancy will be - even if you're over 40. So, focus on the health basics that apply to any woman who wants to have a healthy baby so you can minimise any pregnancy risks:
- Follow a healthy, balanced diet.
- Get regular, moderate exercise.
- Take your pre-natal vitamins with folic acid before you get pregnant to prevent neural tube defects, particularly spina bifida.
- Avoid any unnecessary over-the-counter medications until you clear them with your doctor.
- Address any pregnancy concerns with your doctor as they arise.
Although having a baby at a later age may put you at risk for complications, the majority of older women have healthy babies. Once you have educated yourself about the pregnancy risks involved, try to keep them in perspective. Turn your focus to all the things that go with a healthy pregnancy at any age. By taking good care of yourself, working closely with your doctor, your prospects of having a happy, healthy baby are excellent. We wish you good luck and good health!
The information on Fedhealth Medical Aid is for educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are experiencing symptoms or need health advice, please consult a healthcare professional.
Source: www.independent.ie, www.parenting.com, www.dailymail.co.uk, umm.edu/health/medical/pregnancy/specialcare, Oregon.providence.org
DISCLAIMER: The information on this website is for educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are experiencing symptoms or need health advice, please consult a healthcare professional.
