Geriatric pregnancy
How many times have we read that Meghan Markle got pregnant a 37 years, it was a "geriatric pregnancy"? What is really this term and what are the risks?
Meaning of geriatric pregnancy
For geriatric pregnancy gynecologists and obstetricians consider one gestation started after the age of 35. There is no doubt that this is a very strong term (today mostly replaced with the definition of pregnancy in advanced maternal age): we associate the word geriatric with the idea of an elderly person and women over 35 do not feel elderly at all, far from it.
What is certain, however, is that in recent years the number of women who became mothers at this age and faced pregnancy even at 40 has grown exponentially.
On the one hand, she expects to be able to realize herself at work, to have economic, personal and couple stability, but on the other hand it is beyond doubt that nature takes its course, the ovarian reserve decreases year after year and a pregnancy after 35 years carries greater risks and an increasing likelihood of complications.
But what is good to know if you are going to face one geriatric pregnancy? Here is a list of important things not to underestimate.
If you want a child after 35 years
Regardless of your age, it is always advisable meet the doctor if you are considering trying to get pregnant. Your doctor will do an assessment of your general health, family history, and you can discuss important topics, from vaccines to screening to how to maintain a healthy lifestyle that promotes conception.
It is also good to know that fertility problems become more common as we age. If you have been unsuccessfully trying to get pregnant for six months and you are over the age of 35, you should wait no longer and consult a specialist.
At the same time know that it is quite possible to get pregnant easily even after the age of 35, just as it is possible to carry on successful pregnancies. Provided that you are regularly followed by a gynecologist and take careful care of your lifestyle, there are no reasons why you cannot live 9 peaceful and fulfilling months.
If you become pregnant after the age of 35
If you are expecting a baby and you are over 35, you should speak to your gynecologist to evaluate your options prenatal diagnosis for chromosomal diseases, such as trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) or Turner syndrome. The likelihood that the baby has a chromosomal abnormality increases with advancing maternal age, and there are diagnostic prenatal tests, such as amniocentesis or CVS, which are able to detect most of these conditions with certainty.
- Age can have a certain impact on the course of pregnancy and increases the chances of suffering from diabetes or hypertension.
- A woman over the age of 35 is more likely to experience a multiple pregnancy.
- Being over 35 increases the risk of pregnancy complications. For example, even in women without pre-existing hypertension or diabetes, preeclampsia and gestational diabetes can occur. For this reason it is important to be followed closely by the gynecologist and to undergo regular check-ups.
VIPs who became mothers after 40
A roundup of VIPs, in the country and around the world, who became mothers after 40
Childbirth
Scientific literature reports that advanced maternal age can increase the risk of:
- complications during and after childbirth with consequent lengthening of the length of hospitalization;
- low birth weight;
- premature birth;
- Caesarean section.
The advantages of having a child after the age of 35
Choosing to become a mother later in life does not only involve risks, but also different ones advantages. According to experts, women at this age have more resources, both psychological and practical, in order to be able to take care of children, they have higher d and a higher level of education and personal fulfillment. It also appears that a geriatric pregnancy carries less risk of suffering from depression and anxiety during pregnancy.
In short, you shouldn't be afraid of becoming a mom at 40. Even a study would have shown that many women have one fear to face complications and problems which themselves, with this negative attitude, contribute to making pregnancy more difficult.
Instead, it is important to have a positive and optimistic approach, to be closely followed by your doctor and to know everything that is important to know to ensure that you have a wonderful pregnancy.
