Childbearing has changed a lot in the last few decades. The recent trends indicate more and more women opting for late pregnancy. Due to a variety of reasons women are contemplating pregnancy at later age.
How do we define “late pregnancy”?
There is no medical definition for late pregnancy. Traditionally, 20-29 had been regarded as the childbearing age for women. Pregnancy above normal age i.e. above 35 years is considered late pregnancy.
Reasons behind late pregnancy
There are several reasons behind women opting for late pregnancy.
- Women are more career-oriented nowadays. They have their own career goals in mind which occupy top priority for them. They want to gain success and then settle in marriage. Late marriage naturally results in late pregnancy.
- Due to the breakthroughs in the field of medical science it is possible to overcome the complications associated with getting pregnant at later age. Thus women are opting for late pregnancy.
- Better methods of contraception are another reason which is allowing women to enjoy their independence and choose when to get pregnant.
late-pregnancy
Late pregnancy is associated with some complications which every woman should be aware of before deciding when to get pregnant.
Let us discuss about the cons or disadvantages of late pregnancy.
Difficulty in conceiving during late pregnancy
With age a woman’s fertility decreases. After 30 a woman’s fertility rapidly decreases and it is estimated that about 20% of women in the age group of 35-39 are infertile. So women in this age group will face difficulty in conceiving. This also means that more women in this age group have to undergo fertility treatments to become pregnant.
Increased chances of abnormalities in fetus
The chances of the fetus having genetic defects increase in late pregnancy. Down syndrome is the most common syndrome among babies who are born to older mothers.
Preeclampsia – Pre existing health conditions
With age chances of certain diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart and kidney diseases increase. These often pose problems for pregnancy and birth of the child. Diabetes can cause birth defects and high blood pressure can slow fetal growth in late pregnancy.
Late Pregnancy complications
Women who become pregnant at a later age have a higher risk of developing gestational diabetes and blood pressure during pregnancy. Women with gestational diabetes are likely to give birth to large babies who have risk of getting injuries during delivery and other health problems.
Chances of placental problem also increase with age. The most common problem is placenta previa in which the placenta covers partly or fully the cervix.
Premature births are also quite common in late pregnancy. Such babies are exposed to increased health risks and disabilities.
Stillbirth or death of fetus after 20 weeks of pregnancy is another risk of late pregnancy.
As compared to young women who are physically fit, older women often take more time in recuperating from the delivery process.
Maternity care for women gets influenced by their age factor. Women who decide to get pregnant at later age are made to undergo more tests and scans.
Older women often experience prolonged labor and difficulty in delivery.
Risk of miscarriage in late pregnancy
The risk of miscarriage definitely increases with age. Studies have shown that the risk of miscarriage increases from 10% in mothers in their 20s to 20% in the age group of 35-39. This risk escalates to 50% for mothers who are over 45 years.
Let us now discuss the pros or advantages of late pregnancy.
- Women who decide for late pregnancy have an edge over their younger counterparts in terms of maturity.
- Older women face less of mood swings during pregnancy and can handle childrearing more confidently.
- Older women have more experience of life and hence can impart valuable lessons to their kids.
- Women who go for late pregnancy are more stable, confident and can raise their children in a stress-free atmosphere.
- These women are mostly fit and have taken care of themselves well. So they can handle the baby and themselves with more ease and efficiency.
- Women who get pregnant at later age are financially better off and can handle their responsibilities well.
Bearing a child and rearing him demands tremendous amounts of energy, patience and maturity. A woman should only decide to be pregnant when she feels confident of taking care of another life. So, whether a woman opts for late pregnancy or an early one, she should be comfortable and happy with the decision.
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