More and more women are choosing not to start a family until a later stage in life. The average age of first-time mothers in Europe today is between 29 and 30 years old. Many worry about the ideal age for a baby and the consequences of a late pregnancy.
Dr. Elisabeth Rosen acknowledges, "It’s good to be aware of all the risks and know how to avoid them. But she also points out that focusing too much on potential problems only leads to worrying.
"There are already a lot of fears and concerns about pregnancy and childbirth. In fact, though, if you’re generally healthy, your chances of having an uncomplicated pregnancy and a healthy baby are good", she says. Doubts are nevertheless quite normal. "No woman ever feels 100% ready to become a mother."
What happens to the body and fertility as we age?
"The ovaries are formed at the embryonic stage, and we are born with a certain number of eggs," explains Dr. Roses. "These eggs then remain dormant until puberty. After that, they are used until the reservoir is empty, to put it simply.
The quality of the eggs decreases over time. However, the individual extent of this development varies greatly from woman to woman. Some women get pregnant easily at 40, but others have trouble as early as 30. But in general, fertility goes down around 35. The risk of miscarriage decreases quite dramatically after the age of 30."
What are the risks involved, starting at age 35. to get pregnant before the age of 35?
"The risk of developing high blood pressure or diabetes increases with age. Pregnancy can further increase this risk", says Dr. Roses.
"There are also studies showing that the risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, miscarriage, chromosomal abnormalities and stillbirth increases with age."Your health care provider will check you for high blood pressure and gestational diabetes, and in most cases, these conditions can be detected and successfully treated or controlled.
When weighing your options, you should also consider these risks. As you age, the likelihood that you will need an egg donor for successful artificial insemination also increases. This, in turn, increases your risk for high blood pressure and preeclampsia (pregnancy poisoning).
When you go into labor, you may need a little more support. Studies show that the risk of complications increases slightly with age, Dr. explains. Roses. "These complications may also include a slightly increased risk of rupture as body tissue loses elasticity with age. There is also an increased likelihood of having to have an artificially induced birth or having to have a cesarean section or other interventions."
How do I deal with the increased risk?
Many women who would like to get pregnant are concerned about the increased risk of miscarriage and chromosomal aberrations (genetic abnormalities). It can be reassuring to know that while the risk of miscarriage increases after 30. The risk of chromosomal abnormality increases with age, but starts at a very low level of about 10% in mothers aged 25 to 29 years.
"The increased risk of miscarriage is a result of lower egg quality", explains Dr. Rosen. "Chromosomal aberrations are also associated with it." With a chromosome analysis during pregnancy, your gynecologist can check if the unborn child is at risk for chromosomal abnormalities. These so-called prenatal tests are routinely offered to pregnant women over the age of 35.
Think about what a possible high-risk result would mean for you before having these tests done. If you’re unsure about which tests to have, talk to your health care provider.
Are there advantages to having a baby later in life?? How do I know when I am ready??
More and more people are choosing not to have a baby until after the age of 30. Having a family by my 60th birthday. The education is completed later, also the first permanent job has one later inder Tasche. In addition, many women do not meet a suitable partner until late in life. The advantage of having children late in life is the financial security and emotional stability parents can give their offspring. Some studies suggest that children often fare better. However, if you wait for everything to be perfect, you may never feel ready.
"Fertility peaks around the age of 25. Year of life. Still, there is no optimal age to have a baby." If you are with someone you want to have children with, you should not put off having children for too long for fertility reasons. If you are unsure, you should talk to your doctor about your options.
What can I do from 35 to increase my chances of getting pregnant?
"Stop smoking, reduce your alcohol intake, exercise, and make sure you eat a balanced diet", according to Dr. Roses. "A lot of caffeine lowers the chances of getting pregnant and may increase the risk of miscarriage. Also, avoid stress and just take good care of yourself."
If you’re hoping to get pregnant, 400 micrograms of folic acid daily To take before conception and during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Here’s what helps reduce the risk of developmental problems in the early weeks.
"If you’re overweight, losing weight can increase your chances of getting pregnant and minimize the risks of getting pregnant," explains Dr. Roses. "If necessary, get a medical checkup to make sure you’re in good health in general. Get your thyroid function checked. Being under- or over-active can be detrimental to your chances of getting pregnant – and these conditions are easily treated."
What can I do if I just can’t get pregnant??
"The treatment options your health care provider will recommend will depend on the cause of your decreased fertility," says Dr. Roses. She adds that Several factors contribute to conception problems Can range from irregular ovulation to sperm quality to difficulty having sex.
Conditions such as endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are other common causes, Eating disorders can also play a role. "Sometimes it’s enough to help the sperm get into the uterus. Other times, we may need to resort to artificial insemination," says dr. Roses. "Sometimes we need to strengthen the lining of the uterus to help it hold onto a fertilized egg."
"In about 70% of cases of infertility, we manage to find the cause. There are a number of different factors that can affect the success of treatment, but most women who want a baby end up having it."
The treatments available to you depend on where you live. Your doctor or gynecologist will be happy to advise you on your options.
How can I best support my body and my baby after I become pregnant??
"Exercise, eat a healthy diet and continue to take folic acid – but if you forget to do this, there is no need to worry. Most women get everything they need from their diet," says Dr. Rosen.
Many women worry about the effects of exercise, but research has shown that regular, moderate exercise is safe and may even reduce the risk of gestational diabetes.
"There are lists of things you shouldn’t do or eat, and it’s good for you to know about them. More importantly, though, focus on taking good care of yourself, says Dr. Roses.
This article was published with medical permission from Dr. Elisabeth Rosen, an obstetrics and gynecology specialist at Kry published.