Pregnancy over 35 years of age, identify the risks and how to overcome them

Some women experience pregnancy when they reach 35 years of age or more, whether it's the first or second pregnancy, and so on. All women who become pregnant at the age of 35 years, especially those who are pregnant with their first child, surely desire their child to be born and grow up healthy.

However, did you know that pregnancies over the age of 35 have various risks?

Risk of pregnancy over 35 years of age

Pregnancy at the age of 35 years may be difficult to achieve. Ovum or eggs owned by women over the age of 35 years may not be as fertile as when they were young. In addition, women have a limited number of ova, so the number of female ova decreases with age. If you are over 35 years of age and pregnant, it is a gift that must be maintained considering that pregnancies over 35 years of age have a higher risk than those under age.

Some of the risks that can be experienced by pregnant women who are older than 35 years are:

1. Gestational diabetes

Pregnant women over the age of 35 have a higher risk of developing gestational diabetes due to the influence of pregnancy hormones. Therefore, you must control the level of sugar in your blood through healthy food intake. Don't forget to keep doing exercise to prevent the disease from getting worse. Some conditions may require you to take medication. Untreated gestational diabetes can cause the baby to grow bigger and will complicate the birth process.

2. Gestational hypertension

Pregnant women over the age of 35 are also prone to developing gestational hypertension (high blood pressure during pregnancy). Gestational hypertension can reduce blood supply to the placenta. Always check your pregnancy to the doctor regularly. The doctor will always monitor your blood pressure as well as the growth and development of the fetus.

Always controlled blood pressure, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly can prevent high blood pressure from getting worse. If the condition gets worse, you may need to take prescription medications or may have to deliver your baby prematurely to prevent complications.

3. Premature birth and LBW babies

Pregnancies at 35 years of age or more are at risk of having a premature baby. This can be caused by medical conditions, twins, or other problems. Women over 35 years of age have a higher chance of getting pregnant with twins or more, especially if the pregnancy occurs with the help of fertility therapy. Babies born prematurely (before 37 weeks of gestation) usually experience LBW (Low Baby Weight). This is because the growth and development of the baby is not yet perfect at birth. Babies born too small can increase the risk of the baby having health problems at a later age.

4. The baby is born caesarean section

Pregnancy at an older age or over 35 years increases the risk of the mother suffering from complications during pregnancy, so the baby must be born by caesarean section . One of the conditions that causes the baby to be born through surgery caesarean section is placenta previa, which is the condition of the placenta that blocks the cervix (cervix).

5. Chromosomal abnormalities

Babies born to women who are pregnant at age 35 or older have an increased risk of developing diseases caused by chromosomal abnormalities, such as Down syndrome. The older the mother is when pregnant, the more likely the baby is developing Down syndrome.

6. Miscarriage or death at birth

Both of these can be caused by the mother's medical condition or chromosomal abnormalities in the baby. This risk increases with increasing age of the mother over the age of 35 years. To prevent this from happening, you should have your pregnancy checked regularly, especially during the last weeks of pregnancy.

How to minimize the risks that may occur in pregnancies over 35 years of age?

Some of these risks can be minimized by pregnant women by always maintaining the health of the mother and fetus during pregnancy. You should always have a pregnancy checkup in order to know the condition of your pregnancy. Below are ways to maintain your pregnancy.

1. Check pregnancy regularly

We recommend that you check your pregnancy to the doctor regularly, at least 3 times. This aims to determine the condition of you and the fetus and to prevent or reduce the risk of disease during pregnancy. Better yet, if you have started checking the condition of your body before pregnancy.

2. Ask your doctor about care during pregnancy

You must know what you should do and what treatment you must take to prevent disease during pregnancy, as well as to prevent premature births and LBW babies. Blood tests to determine the risk of chromosomal abnormalities before the baby is born may be needed.

3. Keep your food intake

Pregnant women need a lot of nutrients needed for themselves and the fetus. Eating lots of varied foods helps you to meet the nutritional needs your body needs. Important nutrients, such as folic acid and calcium. You should eat more often in small portions. You can get carbohydrates from rice, corn, potatoes, and bread; good sources of fat from fish, avocado, green vegetables, and vegetable oils; source of protein from meat, chicken, fish, tofu, tempeh; as well as a source of vitamins and minerals from vegetables and fruits.

4. Control weight gain

Consult with your doctor how much weight you should achieve. The more weight you had before becoming pregnant, the less weight gain you should achieve while pregnant. And conversely, the less weight you had before becoming pregnant, the more weight you have to gain during pregnancy. Adequate weight gain during pregnancy can reduce the risk of pregnant women developing gestational diabetes and gestational hypertension.

5. Exercise regularly

Regular exercise can help you control your weight, make your body healthier, and also reduce stress. Apart from that, it can also help you to go through labor easily. You can take exercise classes for pregnant women or do it yourself at home with movements that do not burden you and the fetus. Consult your doctor before you engage in sports.

6. Avoid stress

Pregnant women over the age of 35 usually have some anxiety about the health of their unborn baby, even fear of having a miscarriage. it's best to talk about how you feel with your doctor and those around you, such as your husband, siblings, or friends. This can reduce the burden on your mind.

7. Stay away from cigarette smoke and alcoholic beverages

Cigarette smoke can increase the risk of illness in pregnant women and LBW babies, while drinking alcoholic drinks can increase the risk of the baby experiencing physical and mental delays.

x