Are you in your thirties and planning to become pregnant or are you already expecting a baby? It will be an increased risk pregnancy, but the chances of a happy ending are huge. It's good to know what to look for in late pregnancy and what tests you need to do.
The times whenlate pregnancy- after the age of 35 - was primarily the result of a "mishap", are becoming a thing of the past. Today, more and more women decide to have a child only when their professional and economic situation is stable, allowing their offspring to have a good start in life.
Late pregnancy: joy and fear
Mature expectant mothers are usually bursting with energy and joy because they are able to fully appreciate the benefits of parenting. Often, however, optimism is mixed with fear about thepregnancyand the child's development. Specialists also do not hide that it would be ideal if women gave birth to their first child by their 26th birthday. However, medicine itself, and life itself. Therefore, scientists are working on the possibility of raising the safe age limit for motherhood. With huge successes. Late babies are usually born he althy, strong, and smart. Sometimes it is different, then you should seek help from specialists. A child who requires long-term intensive care may be born into any family, regardless of the age of the parents. The risk of having a very sick child, although it grows with age, also exists when the expectant mother is in the prime of her life. As much as 70 percent children with Down syndrome are born to women before the age of 35. Because the mother's age is only one of the factors that determine the child's he alth. You cannot influence this one, but others - absolutely.
Pregnancy planning in your 30s
If you are planning a baby and are in your thirties, contact a good obstetrician gynecologist right away. There is a small chance that you will get pregnantimmediately. On average, a couple who have sex on a regular basis and do not use contraception will become pregnant after about six months. Up to a year, the norm is talked about. If the baby is still not on the way after this time, many doctors still advise you to wait another year patiently. Seeking help is necessary after two years. However, not in your case. Better to give birth at 35 than when you are 40. Excessive patience can lead to the fact that at allyou will not have a baby, because fertility decreases with age. There are so-called empty cycles where no ovulation occurs and fertilization is impossible. It also happens that the egg is not fully valuable, and even though fertilization occurs, the body does not allow the embryo to develop as part of natural selection. Then you have a very early miscarriage that you don't even need to know about, because your "menstrual period" is only a few days late. So, even if you are completely he althy, you will probably have to wait a while for your baby.
Preparation for pregnancy
With the help of a doctor, you will use this time properly. I will start by quitting cigarettes, regulating my lifestyle, and finding time to rest. Don't be afraid to ask - stress and uncertainty make it difficult to get pregnant. It is possible that the doctor, in addition to the tests recommended for all women planning pregnancy (e.g. for the presence of anti-rubella antibodies and toxoplasmosis), will recommend relaxation techniques (yoga, tai-chi), a long vacation for two, and even a consultation with a psychologist. It happens that the huge desire for a child, combined with the fear of time running out, makes it impossible for a completely he althy woman to get pregnant. Although you are feeling great and gynecologically flawless, you may already have the first hidden he alth problems that could have a negative impact on your pregnancy in the future. The most common are diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. If the gynecologist suspects such problems, he or she will order you tests (blood pressure measurement, EKG, sugar level) or send you to the appropriate specialist for treatment. Only after removing the medical problem will you return to the topic: the child. Together with your doctor, you will also decide when to diagnose your fertility.
Problems getting pregnant
Infertility is most feared by women who have not given birth before. Meanwhile, even as a mom, now you may have trouble getting pregnant. In addition to the natural decline in fertility and psychological factors, there are many causes of fertility problems that may arise with age. That is why it is so important to have a gynecologist's supervision as soon as possible, because many of them can be recognized during basic examinations.
- Hormonal disorders
- Anatomical defects
- Obstruction of the fallopian tubes
- Endometriosis
- Immune infertility
- Men's problems
Prenatal testing
A lot of myths have arisen around them. Women over 35 often do not want to hear about them, especially if they are expecting their first child. They assume that since they will not decide to terminate the pregnancy anyway, even in the event of a heavy onegenetic defect, research is just "unnecessary stress". Meanwhile, it's not like that.
- Prenatal tests can detect more and more diseases - not only Down syndrome, but also Duchenne muscular dystrophy, cystic fibrosis, and congenital neural tube defect. These diseases are often associated with immense suffering for a child, and even inevitable early death, so a woman should think about whether her need for motherhood is reason enough to be born.
- The tests also allow to detect curable diseases, e.g. defects of the heart, kidneys, spine, which can be treated in the womb. Sometimes, due to the child's illness, the birth has to take place in a specialized institution, and without the tests, the mother might not know about it.
- Research is not as dangerous as it is believed to be. The so-called PAPP-A test, which determines the probability of abnormalities in a child. To conduct it, you need a blood analysis and a special ultrasound examination. Blood collection is also associated with the performance of the so-called triple test, which also gives reliable information about the child's condition. In the case of amniocentesis, complications are very rare: in about 1 percent. cases. The test consists in taking a sample of amniotic fluid from the fetal bladder - on this basis, the so-called karyotype, i.e. checking if there are any abnormalities in the chromosomes. The most risky test is a trophoblast biopsy - it is done only when it is necessary. Only 3 percent. amniocentesis is confirmed by malformations in children. Thus, the study helps to believe in a happy ending as much as 97%. mothers who surrendered to him! If only for that, it is worth making them.
Late pregnancy - don't panic
You are not a decrepit old woman, but a young woman waiting for the miracle of birth. Don't beat yourself up or create problems. For sure everything will be fine and you will be a wonderful mom. Do not look for knowledge on the Internet, do not try to be smarter than a doctor. Choose one you can fully trust. Consider private pregnancy management, as the gynecologist in your area can handle millions of questions badly and are often difficult to get outside of. And it is better to clarify any doubts with him than with a friend. Pregnancy is not a disease. So don't lie down all day (unless your doctor tells you to) - you and your baby need oxygen. Don't listen to every rumble in your stomach. When it really hurts you, it will flex unnaturally, you will start to stain, your ankles, face or hands will swell, you will suffer from severe back pain - don't panic, just see a doctor. These things happen in pregnancy for no reason, but it's better to be sure.
Necessary research inpregnancy
If you were not under a doctor's care before you became pregnant, now you will have a diagnosis that will allow you to assess your general condition, maybe a consultation with an internist. If you suffer from chronic diseases, the gynecologist and a specialist will probably consider safe treatment during pregnancy. Plus, if everything goes well, you'll have routine tests and checkups - just like any other pregnancy. However, remember that the ultrasound examination should be performed especially carefully. Not every gynecologist can do this. Ideally, he should have experience in diagnosing fetal defects and work with the most modern equipment. The doctor, on the basis of many measurements, is able to detect signals that indicate the occurrence of genetic defects. A careful examination of the fetal heart reveals its defects, which can be treated during pregnancy. Knowing that the child will be born sick, the doctor can prepare for it. Childbirth should take place in a specialized clinic so that, if necessary, it can be accelerated or delayed, schedule a caesarean section or prepare for surgical intervention.
Late pregnancy: Caesarean at the end?
You may need to see your doctor more often during pregnancy than other pregnant women. Older mothers are at higher risk of miscarriage (due to older eggs), pre-eclampsia and premature birth (which are often preventable). The doctor will also warn you about possible complications during the birth (especially if you are over 40, have your first baby, are unfit or suffer from chronic diseases). In some older women, muscle weakness and reduced joint flexibility may make labor difficult to give birth to, but for those who are in great physical condition, this won't be a problem.
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