Pregnancy and childbirth after 30 years


Ten years ago, if a woman gave birth to the first child of about 27 years old, she was called the "old primogenitor". Today, the average age in a woman gives birth to the first child - 25-35 years. A significant number of women become mothers only by the age of forty. What can threaten or, conversely, be useful to a woman pregnancy and childbirth after 30 years? Read about it below.

If you are 30 years old

For the birth of a child, even adolescent girls are biologically capable. But only every twentieth woman can make an informed decision to give birth to a child, that she can take care of him before birth and after birth. Thus, doctors believe that the ideal time to give birth to the first child is 25-27 years. If possible, the best time for the first pregnancy is up to 30 years. Later, the fertility of a woman begins to decline dramatically. A woman has many eggs, but not all will be responsible for fertilization. And since nature will not allow itself to impregnate the "defective" material, it may be that the child will have to wait longer than expected. At the age of 30, even a few months of regular sexual life may not lead to fertilization, this is not yet a reason for concern. Concerns about infertility of one of the partners can arise if after a year of attempts the woman does not become pregnant. Then both partners must undergo research and, possibly, take treatment. It's better to do it as soon as possible. If necessary, infertility treatment before 35 years of age gives better results than at a later age. Further age reduces the chances of successful treatment.

If you are 35 years old

Although at the age of 35 the woman still feels young, active, healthy - this age for many of us is borderline. A woman who did not manage to become a mother before the age of 35 should be informed by the doctor about the possibility of free prenatal testing. This is best done because the risk of birth defects in children (most of them diagnosed with Down's syndrome) is 1: 1400 in women of 25 years of age, but in 35-year-olds the risk rises to 1: 100. It is important to consider the importance of perinatal diagnosis, so as in most cases it allows parents to get rid of anxiety for the child, for his health. If the system detects birth defects in the fetus, in some cases (for example, hydrocephalus, obstruction of the posterior urethra), the child can be cured in the womb. But sometimes, in order to avoid irreversible changes that lead to disability or death, such operations do not. With the birth of specialists can provide assistance and access to the necessary equipment. Knowledge of congenital anomalies also helps to prepare psychologically for the birth of the woman herself and her relatives. If the defect is severe and interferes with normal work, the woman receives guaranteed and legal abortion options for medical reasons.

After 40 years, everything is much harder

The birth of a second child at the age of 40 is not a problem. But sometimes there are serious difficulties in the case of the first pregnancy. At this age, women tend to suffer painfully from pregnancy. You should not postpone the decision to give birth to your first child up to the age of forty. At this age, women are more difficult to tolerate pregnancy and their labor is more difficult. Some have health problems, such as hypertension, heart disease, gynecological disorders, for example, hormonal disorders and uterine fibroids. Treatment of chronic diseases during pregnancy is difficult, because some drugs can affect the course of pregnancy. The pelvic bones at this age are not as flexible as before, and you may need a cesarean section.

Perinatal Diagnosis

This is the main non-invasive test that helps evaluate the development of the fetus, to see if there are any congenital anomalies (for example, associated with errors in chromosomes and neural tube defects). It is safe and harmless for the child. In normal pregnancy, such tests are performed 3-4 times before 10 weeks to determine how normal the pregnancy started. Then at 18-20 weeks to check how much your baby is growing properly, and whether the organs are normal. Then, at week 28, to check whether the fetus is normal, and on the 38th week, the placement of the baby in the uterus before delivery should be evaluated.

Amniocentesis

It is carried out during pregnancy and childbirth after 30 years and in other cases when there is a suspicion that the child may have an inborn defect (for example, when the family has hereditary diseases or if the first child is not completely healthy). Analysis involves taking a thin needle from the bladder small amount of amniotic fluid (the needle is inserted under the ultrasound control). The test is painless and safe - complications are rare (0.1-1 percent of cases.). The liquid is transferred to a specialized genetic laboratory where it will be inspected. Then, the result will be reported if the fetus has any abnormalities in the chromosomes.

Biopsy of trophoblast

Through the cervical canal or abdomen, a small piece of tissue that is part of the future placenta is taken for examination. It contains the same genetic information as amniotic fluid. The study is conducted in the early stages of pregnancy (before the 11th week), but it is not very popular, as it involves the risk of miscarriage.

Triple test

It is performed on the blood of the unborn child at the 18th week of pregnancy to identify the risk of genetic defects. His alarming result does not prejudge anything yet. You must then perform an ultrasound examination from a specialist (in terms of genetic defects), and if it is also negative, you still have to perform amniocentesis. The triple test is very accurate, but not cheap, therefore it is available only in private clinics.

What should a pregnant woman do after 30 years?

- It is more than usual to appear at the gynecologist for the control of blood pressure, blood sugar level and urine composition.

- Pass the prenatal test. If the doctor does not offer their implementation, you need to consider changing your doctor (he simply does not fulfill his duties).

- It is normal to live, eat and move. This advice will not be an exaggeration: do not eat for two, do not lie all the time on the couch (unless it's a doctor's recommendation), do not pay too much attention to the growing abdomen. You must take care of yourself, walk a lot and enjoy the expectation of a child.