Does age affect pregnancy? If so how, if not, why
In the 21st century opportunities are equal for men and women. However the problem is that with women social responsibilities and family connections are more stringent. With women getting more career oriented pregnancy is taking back seat in their priority list. This raises many doubts and questions among women related to aging and pregnancy. Here we will try to address all their doubts and queries.
Aging does affect pregnancy and if you are planning to get pregnant after 35 then you need more critical medical attention. However don’t panic as many women opt to get pregnant late and manage to have absolutely healthy pregnancies. Medical records show that there is gradual increase in late age pregnancies as compared to earlier years.
Aging Effect on Pregnancy
Most of the women who opt for late pregnancies have healthy births but still there is increased risk of health conditions like blood pressure and diabetes. Ectopic pregnancy and miscarriages are more common in older women also with increased risk of placenta praevia and premature birth. You should opt to seek more frequent visits to your doctor if you are pregnant after 35 years of age. Regular and frequent checkups will ensure that you are not having any medical complication related to pregnancy.
All this doesn’t mean that you are at disadvantage being an older woman. There are many benefits of being an older mum like you are more likely to be on a healthy diet and able to exercise more routinely as compared to young mothers. Many women have concerns about the health of their babies but fortunately do not affect the health of the baby. If you are on a proper and healthy diet and exercising regularly then there is no doubt that you will have a healthy baby.
Medical Abnormalities
With aging there are increases risks of genetic abnormality in baby. Older mums are more like to deliver babies with conditions like Down's syndrome, Edwards' syndrome and Patau's syndrome. The risk of Down's syndrome is found to 1 in 1,500 deliveries by women during their 20s, 1 in 900 deliveries by women in their 30s and 1 in 100 deliveries by women in their 40s.
All pregnant moms are recommended chromosomal abnormalities screening tests regardless of their age.
Aging also affects labor in women if you are an older woman then it is more likely that you will be advised induction during the birth. Awkward positioning of the baby is more likely if you are older particularly above 40 and is going to be a first time mom. The simple reason behind this is caesareans rise rate is higher in women when they get older.
None of the abnormalities will occur automatically just because you are older. It is just that chances are higher but your doctor will advice you more critical medical consultation taking your age into account.
Being an older mom is harder but still with proper care and medical intervention all the complications can be dealt with ease.
Dr. James S. Pendergraft opened the Orlando Women's Center in March 1996 to provide a full range of health care for women.