More and more women are choosing to become mothers after the age of 35 when the health risks for mother and child are higher. That is why more careful medical follow-up is needed.
“Children should be made in their youth,” says a saying from the elders, which doctors also share. Nowadays, many women postpone pregnancy after the age of 35, one of the reasons being professional and material stability. We must not forget, however, that fertility decreases significantly over time.
If there are no health problems, the pregnancy can proceed normally even after the age of 35. At other times, however, aging brings some changes in the body, with consequences for women and children.
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What complications can occur in the mother
Gestational or gestational diabetes is more common after the age of 35. In this case, the blood sugar should be kept within normal limits, with diet and exercise playing an important role. The baby may be affected by overweight and postpartum hypoglycemia.
Hypertension is another complication of late pregnancy. Elevated blood pressure levels lead to the narrowing of blood vessels, including those in the uterus, which supply the fetus with nutrients, which can affect its growth. Hypertension, accompanied by a high level of protein in the urine, edema, decreased vision, drowsiness, and headache leads to a more serious complication, preeclampsia, common especially after 20 weeks, which may require hospitalization.
Spontaneous abortion. Fixation of the embryo in the uterus is more difficult in women over the age of 40, so one in four pregnancies can result in miscarriage in the first trimester.
Difficulties during birth. Delayed pregnancy can often necessitate a cesarean delivery due to issues such as the inability of the cervix to dilate properly.
How the fetus may be affected
Down syndrome (trisomy 21). Pregnancy over the age of 35 increases the risk of genetic abnormalities such as Down syndrome in children. For example, at age 40, this risk is 1 in 110 pregnancies.
Premature birth. After the age of 35, the risk of premature birth is higher, as the uterus’ ability to support the pregnancy is lower. Therefore, the probability of prematurity is twice as high.
How many checks are needed
If there are no complications, the follow-up of the late pregnancy follows the usual pattern: a monthly consultation and three ultrasounds. To these are added blood and urine tests, blood pressure measurements, and blood glucose measurements. Tests such as the double or triple test are helpful in estimating the risk of chromosomal abnormalities. Amniocentesis is no longer routinely recommended for pregnant women over 35 years of age. “Performing thorough ultrasounds (known as fetal morphologies) related to obtaining serological data, but also data from the anamnesis may also recommend performing an invasive procedure on a pregnant woman under the age of 35 or on the contrary, to relieve a future mother with an older age from such procedures “, says doctor Ciprian-Pop Began, an obstetrician-gynecology assistant at Elias Hospital in Bucharest.
GOOD TO KNOW
* Chromosomal abnormalities are among the most important causes of pregnancy loss after 35 years.
* Even with in vitro fertilization treatments, the chances of pregnancy set in after 35 years.
* And the probability of developing uterine fibroids is higher at this age but, fortunately, does not affect the course of pregnancy.
Down syndrome, more common in late pregnancy
Women over the age of 35 who want to become pregnant should be aware that there are certain risks to both the mother and the baby. Thus, the frequency of associated hypertension increases, with possible complications (preeclampsia and eclampsia). There is also a higher likelihood of gestational diabetes and first-trimester miscarriage (especially those caused by chromosomal abnormalities and lower levels of hormones needed to support pregnancy). Increases the frequency of cesarean section, with all possible postoperative complications. Of the fetal risks, perhaps the most important is malformations. Down syndrome is more common in women over the age of 35.
