Contents:
- Medical Video: Pregnancy Beyond Age 35 – Reviewing the Risks
- What is called pregnancy in old age?
- Pregnancy risk above 35 years of age
- Are there benefits from being pregnant over the age of 35?
- When should you consult a doctor?
Medical Video: Pregnancy Beyond Age 35 – Reviewing the Risks
If you experience a pregnancy at a young age, you may experience certain concerns. Based on statistics, the age that is considered at risk for pregnancy is 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 labor.
What is called pregnancy in old age?
Pregnancy in old age is a pregnancy that occurs in women over the age of 35 years. The influence of the globalization era and the increasing awareness of women of equality make women more courageous to pursue their careers than to have children. In addition, the existence of technology in fertilization provides an option for mothers to delay pregnancy.
READ ALSO: Pregnancy Benefits and Risks Based on Age During Pregnancy
According toCenters for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of first pregnancies in women ages 35 to 39 years is increasing in all racial groups. The number of women who have their first child in their 40s has doubled.
Pregnancy risk above 35 years of age
All pregnancies are at risk, and these risks increase in pregnancy in old age. The maternal mortality rate rises steadily from 9 per 100,000 at the age of 25-29 years to 66 per 100,000 after the age of 40. This shows that the risk of maternal death increases rapidly as the mother ages when she is pregnant and gives birth.
In addition, because a woman's egg cells have been produced from birth, the older a woman is when she is pregnant, the greater the risk for abnormalities in pregnancy. This disorder in pregnancy can not only threaten the fetus it contains, but it 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 the age of advanced pregnant women are as follows:
- premature birth
- low birth weight baby
- stillbirth
- chromosomal abnormalities in infants
- labor complications
- Caesarean section
- high blood pressure in mothers can lead to serious conditions such as preeclampsia and premature baby birth
- gestational diabetes, which will also increase the risk of diabetes
READ ALSO: Main Causes of Maternal Death at Childbirth
Are there benefits from being pregnant over the age of 35?
Having a baby at a young age is not always harmful. The CDC states that women who postpone their pregnancy have the advantage of raising their children. At the age of 35 years, usually someone is more established and has higher education so that they can raise their 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 of their pregnancy and childbirth. In some cases, this fear actually brings bad results to pregnancy. Therefore, you need to consult a gynecologist.
Your pregnancy health condition is not always influenced by age. In consultation, you can find out the actual condition of your pregnancy, what steps and birth plans to take, and what things you can do to minimize the risk of complications.
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Don't forget, always do the following to maintain the health of your pregnancy:
- exercise regularly
- eat nutritious food
- take pregnancy vitamins in the form of folic acid before conception if possible
- have ideal body weight before pregnancy
- avoid drugs, cigarettes and alcohol
You can also consult a doctor about what laboratory tests you can take to make sure that your baby is in good health.
