At present there are a large number of women who have children after 35, it is older than a few years ago, but what risks are there in this type of pregnancy?
The social changes of our century, as well as the integration of women into working life or the improvement of contraceptive methods that make it possible to postpone motherhood until professional life is consolidated, have delayed the age at which couples decide to be parents. The desire to have a child appears later and later, to the point that the average age of childbearing today is between 28 and 30 years. Having the first child from the age of 35 is not uncommon, especially in large cities.
A pregnancy cannot be considered risky, just because the woman is already 35 years old, although it is true that at this age there are more chances of it being so. Although today with this age, women remain as young as our grandmothers with 20 years, it is true that the body changes over time, it must be clear that a 20-year-old body is not the same as one of 40. Although the uterus does not age, the ovaries do, which translates into greater difficulty in conceiving, fertility. It begins to decrease after the age of 27, so the older you are, the more difficult it is to get pregnant.
Hypertension and gestational diabetes are the most frequent pathologies in pregnant women over 35 years of age. There are also more chances of preterm birth and gestosis (a pregnancy disease that causes high blood pressure and swelling and slows the growth of the fetus).
As the woman ages, the risk of the fetus suffering from chromosomal diseases also increases, but there is no need to worry, because medical science already has enough methods to solve these problems before and during pregnancy. Among these chromosomal diseases, there is Down syndrome, whose risk possibilities increase with the woman's years, affects one child in 300 when the mother is 35 years old, and one child in 100 when she is 40, however, with 25 years, it affects one child in every 1,200 approximately.
Despite these data, we should not be alarmed, since chromosomal diseases can be diagnosed early, thanks to two special tests: amniocentesis and the examination of the chorionic villi. Amniocentesis consists of obtaining a sample of the amniotic fluid, through this fluid chromosomal alterations or other diseases can be perceived. This test gives more information than the villi exam and is done around the 16th week.
Chorionic villus examination, or choriocentesis, consists of the extraction, through the cervix or abdomen, of a small sample of the placental tissue to identify possible fetal malformations. It is performed during the 11-12 week of pregnancy and the risk of miscarriage when practicing it is 1-2 percent, while said risk in amniocentesis is approximately one percent.
Despite all that has been said and the problems that exist in late pregnancies, it must be said that this type of pregnancy also has its positive signs. As a general rule, mature pregnant women who have not had children tend to fully enjoy their pregnancy, while those who are already mothers, notice more the burden that this implies on their body.
There are also many mature women who have less complicated pregnancies than young women, because of their fervent desire to be mothers.
At this age, many women are afraid that their body may be damaged after pregnancy.
A series of guidelines must be followed to prevent possible physical damage caused by pregnancy:
You have to try not to get too fat.
Moisturize the skin using special creams.
Wear suitable underwear that facilitates circulation and prevents fluid retention
Exercise daily.
Stop smoking and drinking alcohol.
Forget about stress.
Eat a totally balanced diet.
If you follow all these indications, you will notice that your body will go back to the way it was before and do not forget, you should not have any fear if you become pregnant from that age.
Following the above guidelines, plus the monitoring of your pregnancy by your gynecologist, are the best ways to ensure that your pregnancy is absolutely normal.
I got pregnant with my last child at 35 and its true there are risks on having a child at the age of 35.
I had gestational diabetes and had to monitor my sugar before and during giving birth