Contents:
- Medical Video: Pregnancy Beyond Age 35 – Reviewing the Risks
- Pregnancy risk above 35 years of age
- 1. Gestational diabetes
- 2. Gestational hypertension
- 3. Premature births and LBW babies
- 4. Babies are born caesarean section
- 5. Chromosome abnormalities
- 6. Miscarriage or death at birth
- How to minimize the risks that may occur in pregnancies over the age of 35 years?
- 1. Check pregnancy regularly
- 2. Ask your doctor about treatment during pregnancy
- 3. Maintain food intake
- 4. Control weight gain
- 5. Regular exercise
- 6. Avoid stress
- 7. Stay away from cigarette smoke and alcoholic beverages
Medical Video: Pregnancy Beyond Age 35 – Reviewing the Risks
Some women experience pregnancy at the age of 35 years or more, whether it's a first or second child pregnancy, and so on. All women who are pregnant at the age of 35 years, especially for those who are pregnant with their first child, certainly crave their children born and grow healthy.
However, did you know that pregnancies over the age of 35 have various risks?
Pregnancy risk above 35 years of age
Pregnancy at the age of 35 years may be difficult to achieve. Ovum or egg cells owned by women over the age of 35 may not have been fertile when he was young. In addition, women have a limited number of ovums, so the number of female ovums decreases with age. If you are over 35 years old and are pregnant, it is a gift that must be maintained considering pregnancy over the age of 35 has a higher risk than the age below.
Some of the risks that can be experienced by pregnant women over the age of 35 are:
1. Gestational diabetes
Pregnant women over the age of 35 have a higher risk of 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 exercising to prevent the disease from worsening. 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 gestational hypertension (high blood pressure during pregnancy). Gestational hypertension can reduce blood supply to the placenta. Always check your pregnancy to the doctor regularly. Your doctor will always monitor your blood pressure and fetal growth and development.
Blood pressure that is always controlled, eating healthy food, and regular exercise can prevent high blood pressure from getting worse. If the condition gets worse, you may need to take a prescription medication or you may have to give birth to your baby prematurely to prevent complications.
3. Premature births and LBW babies
Pregnancy at the age of 35 years or more at risk for giving birth to a premature baby. This can be caused by medical conditions, twins, or other problems. Women over 35 have a higher chance of multiple or more pregnancies, especially if the pregnancy occurs with the help of fertility therapy. Premature babies (before the age of 37 weeks) usually experience LBW (Low Baby Weight). This is because the growth and development of infants is not perfect at birth. Babies born too small can increase the risk of babies having health problems at a later age.
4. Babies are born caesarean section
Pregnancy at the age of older or over 35 years increases the risk of the mother suffering from complications of the disease during pregnancy so the baby must be born by caesarean section. One of the conditions that causes babies to be born through surgery caesarean section is placenta previa, which is the state of the placenta that blocks the cervix (cervix).
5. Chromosome abnormalities
Babies born to women who are pregnant at the age of 35 years or more can increase the risk of getting a disease caused by chromosomal abnormalities, such as Down syndrome. The older the mother's age during pregnancy, the more likely the baby is affected by Down syndrome.
6. Miscarriage or death at birth
Both of these can be caused by maternal medical conditions or chromosomal abnormalities in infants. This risk increases with increasing age of mothers 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 the age of 35 years?
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 checked to find out the condition of your pregnancy. Below is a way to protect your pregnancy.
1. Check pregnancy regularly
It is recommended 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 illness during pregnancy. Even better if you have started to check your body condition before becoming pregnant.
2. Ask your doctor about treatment during pregnancy
You need to know what you have to do and what care you have to take to prevent illness during pregnancy, and to prevent premature babies and LBW babies. A blood test to determine the risk of chromosomal abnormalities before the baby is born may be needed.
3. Maintain 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 of the body. 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, avocados, green vegetables and vegetable oils; source of protein from meat, chicken, fish, tofu, tempeh; and sources of vitamins and minerals from vegetables and fruits.
4. Control weight gain
Consult with your doctor how much weight you have to achieve. The more weight you have before becoming pregnant, the less weight you have to gain when you are pregnant. And conversely, the less weight you have before becoming pregnant, the more weight you have to gain during pregnancy. Adequate weight gain during pregnancy can reduce the risk of pregnant women affected by gestational diabetes and gestational hypertension.
5. Regular exercise
Regular exercise can help you control your weight, make your body healthier, and also reduce stress. In addition, it can also help you go through the labor process easily. You can take a pregnancy exercise class or do it yourself at home with movements that don't burden you and your fetus. Consult your doctor before you exercise.
6. Avoid stress
Pregnant women over the age of 35 usually have some anxiety about the health of their womb, even fearing a miscarriage. you should talk about what 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 disease in pregnant women and LBW babies, while drinking alcoholic beverages can increase the risk of babies experiencing physical and mental delays.
