Have you ever wondered what is the ideal age to get pregnant? If you are too young, your body might not have been fully developed and if you have passed the age of 35, you are bound for complications during pregnancy.
Actually, the ideal age of pregnancy for women is during their 20’s. But to my older friends, worry not! Today, I am going to share the risks of conceiving for older women and ways to prepare for it.
What could happen if you are over 35 years old and pregnant?
1. Preeclampsia (high blood pressure)
Usually, the symptoms start to appear after 20 weeks of pregnancy or sometimes can happen really late which is after 34 weeks. Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to another organ system, most often the liver and kidneys.
2. Gestational diabetes
Women who are older than 25 years old are at a higher risk of having gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that happens during pregnancy.
3. Stillbirth
Stillborns are babies who die after 20 weeks of pregnancy. First-time mums who are at the age of 35 years and older are at a higher risk of getting stillborns.
4. Birth defects
Birth defects are structural changes present at birth that can affect almost any part or parts of the body. An example of a health condition that was caused by a birth defect is Down-syndrome. Cleft lip and cleft palate are also a result of birth defects.
5. Decline in fertility
Older women will produce fewer quality eggs in their ovaries. It results in having a harder possibility to get pregnant.
However, if you are really planning on having children at this time, do take note of these things.
1. A preconception appointment.
This is unlike any normal medical checkup because this is to check out whether you are healthy enough to ensure yourself a healthy pregnancy and you give birth to a healthy baby.
Your health provider can also help suggest options for you to conceive. It is also done for your doctor to keep track of your health condition in case of emergencies.
2. Eat healthily
You have to make sure that you take all the important nutrients for a healthy pregnancy such as folic acids, iron, calcium and Vitamin D.
3. Be active
Practising an active lifestyle like regularly exercising and doing simple workouts can help improve your health and reduce discomfort during pregnancy. However, do remember to get your doctor’s approval before continuing or starting your exercise program.
4. Prenatal testing for chromosomal abnormalities
Ask your doctor about prenatal cell-free DNA (cfDNA) screening, a method to screen for certain chromosomal abnormalities in a developing baby. It is usually done during the first and second trimesters.
5. Stay away from risky substances
Please, please, and please do not drink alcohol, take illegal drugs or smoke during pregnancy. This is not only applicable to those who are pregnant at 35 years old or at a later age. Those who are still young should stay away from these substances too.
Take note that late pregnancy can also increase the possibility of you having twins. So, all you have to do is to take extra precaution and listen to your doctor’s advice.