Table of contents:
- What is called pregnancy in old age?
- Risk of pregnancy over 35 years of age
- Are there any benefits of being pregnant over 35 years of age?
- When should you consult a doctor?
If you are pregnant at a later age, you may experience certain worries. Based on statistics, the ages considered at risk for pregnancy are under 18 years and over 35 years of age. Women who are pregnant at this age may experience concerns such as whether their baby can be born normally, whether there is a risk of disability, and whether there will be complications in childbirth.
What is called pregnancy in old age?
Pregnancy at old age is a pregnancy that occurs in women over 35 years of age. The influence of the globalization era and the increasing awareness of women on equality have made women more courageous to pursue their careers than having children. In addition, technology in fertilization provides options for mothers to delay pregnancy.
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According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of first pregnancies in women aged 35 to 39 is increasing in all racial groups. The number of women having their first child in their 40s has doubled.
Risk of pregnancy over 35 years of age
All pregnancies have risks, and these risks increase with pregnancies later in life. The maternal mortality rate increases steadily from 9 per 100,000 at the age of 25-29 years to 66 per 100,000 after the age of 40 years. This shows that the risk of maternal death increases rapidly with increasing age during pregnancy and childbirth.
In addition, because a woman's eggs have been produced from birth, the older a woman is when she is pregnant, the greater the risk for abnormalities in pregnancy. This interruption in pregnancy can not only threaten the fetus, but can also threaten the life of the mother. According to BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Some of the risks that can occur at an advanced age of pregnant women are as follows:
- premature birth
- low birth weight babies
- stillborn babies
- chromosomal abnormalities in babies
- childbirth complications
- Caesarean section
- high blood pressure in the mother which can lead to serious conditions such as preeclampsia and preterm birth
- gestational diabetes, which also increases the risk of diabetes later
ALSO READ: Main Causes of Maternal Death during Childbirth
Are there any benefits of being pregnant over 35 years of age?
Having a baby at an early age is not always detrimental. The CDC states that women who delay their pregnancy have an advantage when it comes to raising their children. At the age of 35 years, usually someone is more established and has a higher education so that they can raise children better.
When should you consult a doctor?
You should see a doctor if you are pregnant over the age of 35. A study shows that unfortunately, older women will automatically experience fear about their pregnancy and childbirth. In some cases, it is this fear that can actually lead to bad results in pregnancy. Therefore, you need to consult a gynecologist.
The health condition of your pregnancy is not always affected by age. By consulting, you can find out the real condition of your pregnancy, what steps and birth plans to take, and what things you can do to reduce the risk of complications.
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Don't forget, always do the following to keep your pregnancy healthy:
- exercise regularly
- consuming nutritious food
- take a pregnancy vitamin in the form of folic acid before conception if possible
- have the ideal body weight before pregnancy
- avoid drugs, cigarettes, and alcohol
You can also consult your doctor about what laboratory tests you can take to make sure that your baby is still in good health.
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