Earlier, a woman's biological clock was known to sound alarm at the age of 30, but now the age has increased to 35 or even 40. This is because; medicine has come up with new methods of beating sterility, making it easier for women above the age of 30 to plan a late pregnancy. Safe methods of contraception and celebrity examples, such as Hollywood actress, Kim Basinger, who gave birth at the age of 40, popularized the concept of late pregnancy.
Reasons For Late Pregnancy
There are umpteen reasons why women plan to have a child late in life. They may want to complete their education, get a successful career, become financially independent, may be into their second marriage, or may even have to deal with sterility.
Risks Involved
Although researches prove, that a woman above the age of 35, who is physically healthy, has not had miscarriages, or sterility has as much chances of delivering a healthy baby as any other 20 year old, late pregnancy cannot be free from risks. Firstly, your ability to conceive after the age of 35 reduces considerably. Secondly, the chances of delivering a child with genetic defects like Down's syndrome also increase in case of late pregnancy. Women above the age of 35 also suffer from complications, such as blood pressure, and diabetes, making it even more difficult.
Tests prove that pregnancy in women above the age of 35 is often complicated and prolonged. Complications, such as abruption of placenta and pathological condition of the foetus, and risk of miscarriage increase. Moreover, older women take a longer time to recuperate after pregnancy than younger women. Some women encounter problems in getting connected with the baby. As they had been so long taking care of only themselves, this new change in their lives can be a bit disturbing. Moreover, at an older age, women have to plan their subsequent pregnancies within a short interval of time. Finally, at 40, a woman may also be playing the role of a nurse to her old parents making it difficult for her to pay attention to her baby.
Other problems, such as a huge generating gap between parents and children can also worry many women. Women giving birth at a later age are known to spoil their children as they treat them as special children. Despite, so many complications of late pregnancy, there are a few advantages too!
The Positive Side of Late Pregnancy
Having a baby late in life, when you are rich in experience and knowledge helps you cope up better with the changing environment. Such women are known to have less ambivalent feelings towards the newborn and take better care of the baby. In addition, having a baby after you have achieved whatever you wanted to professionally makes you more prepared for motherhood. You do not see it as something pulling you back or holding you from success. An older woman is less subject to stress and is more open about learning and experimenting new things with their kids than younger mothers are.
Although late pregnancy has its own set of complications, but if planned carefully, it can be a boon in disguise. You need to prepare your body physically for this period. The moment any pregnancy symptom is visible, you must consult a physician and get all the pregnancy tests done immediately. This is especially necessary, as the first few weeks for the foetus are extremely critical. If you are careful about these things you can fully enjoy your late pregnancy.
Delayed motherhood is becoming very common as women are getting more career oriented, but one must know that the risks of a late pregnancy are linked to both the mother and the child. A middle-aged woman finds bearing her pregnancy difficult, and later on caring for the child gets tiring for her. One must be on the lookout for early symptoms after the age of 35, because of the increased risks attached. The chances of complications during pregnancy nearly double from 10.37 percent for women in the age group 2029 years to more than 23 percent for women in the age group of 3539 years.
Let Us Have A Look At The Risks Linked With A Late Pregnancy
Genetic diseases are more common in late pregnancies. The probability that your baby will get Downs syndrome or Pataus syndrome or other chromosomal abnormalities gets very high if you conceive after the age of 40. In many such cases, one might have to terminate the pregnancy, after conducting screening tests. Late mothers suffer from fibroids, diabetes and high blood pressure. Moreover, since their skin loses its elasticity due to their age, it may affect the mother later on. Women with a belatedly pregnancy are also at a higher risk of developing breast cancer. Other associated risks are miscarriages, stillbirths and an increased risk of death of the mother after labor.
The duration of labor is longer in case of delayed pregnancy and you are also at an increased risk of giving birth to twins or triplets. Many ladies need to be given induced labor. The rate of caesarean section as well as forceps delivery also increases.
Preeclampsia (very high blood pressure) is a significant risk of a late pregnancy. It can lead to seizures, renal and liver complications, even leading to death of the mother. Babies of such mothers are premature or with stunted growth, and later on face problems in social adjustment.
Fetal growth restriction or what can simply be stated as an undernourished baby occurs due to placenta problems (low lying placenta) in older women. This inhibits the passage of nutrition to the fetus. In the long run, such a baby suffers from heart problems, high blood pressure, diabetes and many more health problems.
Another risk associated with it is a premature baby caused due to instant preterm labor, which can lead to death of both the baby and the mother. Premature babies have other growth problems in the afterward stages of their life.
At present, there is no kind of screening test that can detect which late pregnancies will develop such type of complications. The best way out is to go in for regular prenatal tests with a doctor. Although, many problems crop up suddenly, but at least they can be detected early, and the risk of further severe complications can be cut down if not eliminated.
Doctors advise that the best age for bearing a child is before you turn 33 years, so that you can safely avoid the risks related to it. However if for certain unavoidable reasons you are a late mother then go in for pregnancy tests that might help assess your risks for probable diseases. Besides, precautions may also help you cut down on the risks associated with a late pregnancy period.
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