All You Need To Know About Pregnancy After 35

As women are becoming more career-oriented and independent, work takes up a major portion of their lives. As a part of a new tradition, many women choose to marry in their 30s and have a delayed pregnancy as well. Well, what was once not even considered as a viable option, has somewhat become a norm these days.

Advanced medical treatments have given women the hope that conceiving late won’t be a difficult choice as it previously was. Such that, many celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, Halle Berry, and Julia Roberts have given birth in their late 30s and early 40s to break away from the bar set to get pregnant before a certain age. Here's everything you need to know about pregnancy after 35.

Speaking Medically- Strictly!

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Purely speaking from a medical point of view, the risk of miscarriages and still-births are a lot more when you conceive after 35. As fertility rate starts to fall after that age, the chances of conceiving get lesser. There are a lot of health complications that a woman can face if she chooses to get pregnant at a later age such as gestational diabetes, hypertension, endometriosis, and fibroids. Thus, a woman who has a child at an early age can try again after miscarriage as her fertility rate hasn’t dropped but a woman nearing her 40s might find it hard to do so. Also, theories suggest that the kids born from a later pregnancy usually have Down syndrome, although that's the case for all.

Preparing Yourself For Pregnancy After 35

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Don’t be dissuaded by the risk factors that late pregnancy poses, instead prepare your body for it by following certain necessary steps to avoid any complications. The first is to get a pre-conception check up for both the partners as that can determine whether you are physically fit for the pregnancy. It is also important to take a prenatal checkup that can help you to know and prevent any neural tube congenital disabilities (birth defects) such as spina bifida; where the tissues over baby’s spinal cord don’t close.

Dietary changes are significant as well, caffeine, alcohol, and drugs should be out of the question if you want a healthy pregnancy. If you are on any prescribed medications, it is better to run it through with your doctor before you try to conceive. Also, physical fitness is vital if you wish to have a healthy pregnancy, a sedentary lifestyle can create problems for you, and hence it is important to exercise. Though don’t start any new exercise regime during pregnancy except walking as sudden exertion can be stressful for the body at that stage.

The Pros Of A Late Pregnancy

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The most fertile period in a woman’s life is in her mid-20s. But in the present times, it is virtually impossible for a woman to have a child so early. It is a time when she is growing personally, professionally and financially. Also, she is not mentally prepared to take on so many responsibilities at that early stage. A mature woman though would want to be at a more stable place in her life before she welcomes a child.

Having a child is expensive, and a woman in her 40s would be far more financially secure to give the child a good future and raise the kid with ease. Her understanding and perspective towards life would be very different from what it was a decade ago hence she would be able to guide the child better. At this stage, most of the goals that drive a woman in her 20s are already fulfilled, and she can solely focus on raising her baby.   

Conclusion

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In the end, having a child is a blessing, and there is nothing wrong with trying to be a mother in your later years. A little help from the medical department and keeping your physical health in check are sufficient to rule out any major complications that a late pregnancy can cause. Check with your doctor for proper guidance on the matter.

If you have had a child at a later stage or planning to have one after 35, then share your experience with us using the comment box below. We look forward to your replies.   

(Feature Image Courtesy: Dr. Weil )