To give birth to a child after forty hurt. Preparing for pregnancy or how to give birth to a healthy baby after forty

Pregnancy after 40 years is a very serious topic that requires a thorough approach, a thorough analysis of all the pros and cons, especially taking into account the changes that have occurred in a woman’s body since the most favorable period for conceiving a baby is in the past. But still…

Childbirth after 40 years in recent decades has become an increasingly frequent occurrence in our lives. And what pleases - the number of successful pregnancies is also increasing. What is the reason for this, let's not be afraid of this word, happy statistics?

There are many factors contributing to this.

Why do children become more frequent after 40?

Firstly, at such an adult age, a woman comes to the decision to give birth to a child consciously. Therefore, pregnancy is preceded by preparation, both physical and moral. The expectant mother tries to follow the recommendations of doctors, lead a healthy lifestyle, avoid stressful situations, and receive as many positive emotions as possible.

Secondly, pregnancy at the age of 40 is a completely conscious phenomenon, since the material basis of the future family has been prepared.

Thirdly, the level of development of medicine today makes it possible to cope with many health problems of the expectant mother, including those that were insurmountable just a few years ago. New drugs and technologies appear, thanks to which those who have long lost hope of giving birth at the age of 40 have real chances to conceive, endure pregnancy, and become happy mothers.

In addition, modern couples often resort to in vitro fertilization, as well as far-reaching pregnancy planning - egg vitrification (in other words, freezing of biomaterial in order to use it in the future). Thus, the problem of childbirth after 40 years is often resolved very successfully.

You can't discount the fact that women these days are more educated, armed with information, less superstitious. Today's adult mothers of toddlers are, of course, beautiful, happy and less and less worried about the opinions of others: "At her age ...".

We also do not use the medical epithet "old-timer" in this article, as you may have noticed. We are talking about “adult”, “mature”, “accomplished” as a person, prepared to become a mother, knowing the price of real happiness.

And yet, childbirth after 40 years has not only pros, but also cons. Or at least be very, very attentive to yourself.

Risks of Late Pregnancy: Not a Cause for Disorder

... And the reason is to carefully weigh everything, think it over, prepare well to successfully endure pregnancy, even after passing the 40-year threshold.

How to minimize risks? Childbirth after 40 years: what does preparation for pregnancy include? How to behave as an adult expectant mother? This is what will be discussed in this part of our article.

Risks, what are they, what are they associated with? How to increase the chances of a successful pregnancy and is it possible? In most cases, the answers to these questions will be positive, BUT! if you're honest enough.

The first, main problem on the way to a happy birth of a child after the age of 40 is conception itself. As you know, with age, the number of female eggs decreases. If at the beginning of childbearing age (the medical language of the pubertal period) there are about 300 thousand of them, then by the age of 43 their number is so small that the chances of getting pregnant are reduced to only 1-2%. However, even a small fraction should not be discounted if pregnancy is still undesirable! Well, if you still intend to become a mother at this age - let's try!

Changes in a woman's body after childbirth

Miscarriage is also a very serious and urgent problem for mature mothers. Statistics show that from the age of 40 the probability of a miscarriage is more than 30%, after 45 this figure increases to 50% or more.

The probability of having a child with chromosomal defects - Down's syndrome and other genetic diseases - increases in a 40-year-old mother. At least that's what the statistics say. Already by the age of 45, the risk of having a special child is more than 3%, which is a fairly serious indicator. This fact is the reason why doctors recommend that women plan pregnancy before the age of 35-37, and childbirth after 45, from a medical point of view, is considered extremely undesirable.

Nevertheless, around us we can observe many happy families with sufficiently adult parents and quite healthy, active toddlers. Therefore, let's continue talking about the aforementioned risk of pregnancy and childbirth after 40 years a little older.

Special tests and screenings allow you to find out about the presence of genetic diseases (by the way, today at a fairly early date). If the examination reveals abnormalities that you feel you cannot handle, your doctor may advise you to terminate the pregnancy.

Important examinations

When and what examinations should be carried out in order to make sure that the child will not have chromosomal defects?

Ultrasound examination (ultrasound). Planned for the entire pregnancy is carried out three times. However, if necessary, the doctor may prescribe it an additional number of times.

The first ultrasound is done at 11-13 weeks.

It is on this examination that signs of Down syndrome in the embryo can be detected.

In later pregnancy, the likelihood of detecting this disorder is very low.

AFP test is carried out for a period from the 15th to the 18th week. This is a blood test for the content of a special protein, alpha-fetoprotein, which is produced in the gastrointestinal tract and liver of the fetus (embryo). It should be noted here that this study is considered informative only if there are both ultrasound data at the same time.

What can an increased AFP content in a future mother indicate? Perhaps you are expecting more than one child? But in addition to this good news, you can hear others, such as necrosis of the child's liver, nonunion of the anterior abdominal wall, deviations in the development of the fetal kidneys, and other developmental anomalies.
If the AFP test is lowered, this may mean the Down syndrome we have already mentioned, developmental delay, death of the baby, spontaneous abortion, false pregnancy, and other problems.

In addition, here one cannot discount possible errors in the calculation of the timing: perhaps the pregnancy came a little later.

Along with the study described above, an hCG test (chorionic gonadotropin) and an analysis for free estirol (pregnancy maintenance hormone) are also done.

Elevated hCG may indicate a threatened miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy.

How to behave a woman after childbirth

If the levels of hCG are low, this is an occasion to think about a possible tumor process in the placenta or the presence of cancer in the mother.

In addition to the risks we have mentioned, difficulties with carrying a pregnancy and giving birth directly after 40 years of age can be associated with congenital and life-long diseases of the mother, in connection with which, in fact, pregnancy was postponed for so long. These are, first of all, diseases of the heart, kidneys, hormonal disorders that require the use of contraindicated drugs during pregnancy, as well as problems with vision, the musculoskeletal system, and others. Therefore, in order for motherhood to work out, it is best to plan a future pregnancy.

Planning for childbirth after 40: what does it mean?

Once you have decided for yourself that you will give birth after 40, you should “pull yourself together” and switch to a healthy lifestyle. Eat right, give the body proper rest, do not ignore active walks in the fresh air, do physical education (at least exercises in the morning, the simplest exercises that can be performed in the office at the workplace). Particular attention should be paid to a complete, balanced diet. All this is extremely important, especially if you decide to give birth after 40.

Perhaps someone will think that these are standard phrases that can be heard in every clinic. But we emphasize: the doctor who strongly recommends this to you is good. Why? Pregnancy, especially at such an adult age, requires a lot of strength, both physical and emotional. Your task is to accumulate a certain supply of them in order to simply adequately withstand all 9 months without compromising your own health and the health of the child.

Therefore, good physical shape is a very important factor for a successful pregnancy.

A balanced diet is also a less important aspect of preparing for pregnancy. Do you know that some, including congenital diseases, are associated precisely with a lack of certain vitamins and minerals? Therefore, eat not only tasty, but also competently, dear future mothers. Even if you are not yet pregnant. After all, the birth of a child in the perspective of one or two years is not such a long time for the body to properly prepare.

The mental attitude is very important. To safely endure pregnancy, it must be positive. Knowledge of possible problems is not a reason for panic, but only a strong argument to love yourself even more, to take care of your own body and soul. Information about risks is a reason to be more vigilant, to make sure that all the necessary tests and examinations are scheduled for you and, moreover, on time. It is worth worrying only when the problem has arisen. By the way, this also needs to be learned. If you are a fairly modern woman and can afford it, the help of a good psychologist will not be superfluous.

Rejection of bad habits should also be an integral part of your pregnancy preparation program. No alcohol, cigarettes, energy drinks, coffee, sleeping pills, antidepressants (unless the latter were prescribed by a doctor). This is a taboo you must determine for yourself, the sooner the better.

How long can a disorder called postpartum depression last?

Already 3-4 months before the onset of the planned pregnancy, you should visit a gynecologist, go through all the necessary examinations prescribed by him.

A mammologist, endocrinologist, therapist, as well as specialists who, for one reason or another, you are registered with, should also express their opinion on the possibility of giving birth after 40 years. Only after receiving all the consultations, you should weigh your own risks and opportunities, pros and cons, and make a final decision.

When Pregnancy Doesn't Occur Naturally

We have already mentioned the possibility of egg freezing. However, in this case, we are talking only about far-sighted and wealthy women.

But it is not uncommon for us to come to the decision to become a mother not easily, in doubts and contradictions. What to do if the future mother is “ripe” too late to use the reserves of her own body? But what if there are unfavorable hereditary factors along the line of the mother and for a long time this was the argument against pregnancy?

There is also a way out - to resort to the use of a donor egg. Let's face it: this path is not easy and expensive. The thought of how this child can be yours can also visit you. However, the latter can often disturb until the first movement of the baby. When you begin to feel a new life within yourself, coexist, listen to each other and, finally, be able to understand your child, doubts will dissipate like a dream.

In this article:

Nature is arranged in such a way that after the fourth decade a woman may well become a grandmother, and not a mother. And yet, life is unpredictable. It is not uncommon for a representative of the beautiful half of humanity to have not a grandson at this age, but a newly-made son or daughter. What problems may arise in this case, and what happens in the body, we will try to figure it out below.

Of course, childbirth after 40 years is not a common occurrence, and it is associated with a number of difficulties and risks. And yet, a woman who has found herself in an “interesting position” already at her Balzac age should not be afraid at all. It is necessary to approach the solution of the problem that has arisen in detail and with a cold mind, because there is no point in panicking: everything has already happened. It is possible to give birth to a healthy child even after 40 years, and this is not surprising.

Late birth: how are they?

In gynecology and obstetrics, there is such a thing as "old-timer". Use it in relation to a pregnant woman whose age is already more than 35 years. However, in the West, this phenomenon has long been common. There, at first a woman tries to learn, then make a career and become independent, and only after that she decides on a family and a child. In Europe, many representatives of the weaker sex are going to give birth after 40, and no one looks at them as if they were aliens.

And this approach also has its own undercurrents. Firstly, not every woman, approaching the age line of 30-40 years, never becomes pregnant. On the contrary, she usually has more than one abortion behind her, and this significantly reduces the possibility of conceiving and successfully bearing a healthy baby. In addition, in the fourth decade, many already accumulate chronic diseases, which can also interfere with giving birth. As they say, you want to, but you can't. Finally, mothers of Balzac age have a significantly increased risk of giving birth to a child with down syndrome, which in itself is frightening.

How about us?

In Russia, childbirth after 40 is still something of a curiosity, and some people look askance at a pregnant old-born. You should not pay attention to them. With the right lifestyle, normal nutrition and compliance with all the recommendations of a gynecologist, a woman has every chance to endure and give birth to a healthy baby.

Let us consider late childbirth from all sides, evaluating the possible risks, complications, and also highlighting all the advantages of this event.

What are the complications and risks?

So, a woman who is no longer 20 years old suddenly sees two stripes on the test. What should she do and how to properly assess the situation? Of course, there are risks. Just as there are a number of possible complications that you should definitely be aware of.

chronic diseases. First of all, late age is fraught with various diseases acquired during life. The fact that a young woman does not even notice can poison the existence of a pregnant woman in her age. Chronic diseases can really affect the health of the unborn child, and this must be taken into account. A woman should tell her gynecologist everything, including the names of sexual infections she has ever suffered. After the third decade, health is not at all what it was in youth, and in order to give birth to a cheerful baby, you need to constantly monitor your health, preventing the “chronicle” from aggravating. Pregnancy is a condition that checks all body systems, and if something is wrong somewhere, it will immediately let you know about yourself.

Bad habits. Another scourge of our times. At the age of 20, the influence of alcohol and smoking does not affect the state of a person as much as at 40. If a woman decides to give birth after her fourth decade, she must understand that in no case should she abuse alcohol and cigarettes. Yes, it is harmful for a young pregnant woman, but for an old-timer, this problem becomes even more relevant, because the body is no longer so strong, and spoiled by bad habits throughout life.

Ecology. It is impossible to talk about the current ecological situation without tears. Indeed, there are probably no pristine clean corners on the planet. And every day people experience the harmful effects of the environment. This is especially true for city dwellers. By the age of 40, the body is already quite exhausted and weakened, and this also needs to be understood. If a woman wants to give birth to a healthy child after 40, then it is better for her to spend her entire pregnancy outside the city limits in order to minimize the harm from smog, gas pollution and other “charms” of an urban lifestyle.

Body Features. At the Balzac age, a woman's body has a number of features that you need to know about. First of all, the muscles are no longer so elastic and strong, but the uterus will have to increase many times over. This sometimes leads to miscarriages and missed abortions, but it’s better not to think about the bad. Most often, pregnant women at this age are prescribed. In addition, the ligaments are also not the same as they were several years ago, but pregnancy and childbirth are complex physiological processes. They require enormous effort and affect specifically the muscle and connective tissues.

And yet, despite a number of complicating factors, and an increased risk of giving birth to a child with Down syndrome, there are significant advantages in childbirth after the fourth decade that cover all the bad.

What are the advantages of late childbirth?

Firstly, the birth of a new person into the world is already a positive event in itself. Children bring joy and happiness to the world, no matter how old their mother is. And if a woman decided to give birth at the age of "well over 30", then her desire can only be respected and supported. During these years, a woman already knows how to weigh and analyze everything, she understands what she is doing when she becomes a mother. And, of course, the decision to have a baby after 40 is a conscious one. Young mothers still do not understand much due to the lack of life experience, and they cannot always be aware of how difficult it is: to be the mother of a daughter or son. And if the disadvantages of childbirth in adulthood relate mainly to the health of the pregnant woman, then the advantages lie in the sphere of her mental state.

Awareness of the decision. This is perhaps the main plus of late motherhood. A woman already understands what she is going to, having decided to have a baby, she gives a full account of her actions and their consequences. Young mothers cannot always boast of this, many of them perceive the baby more like a living toy, and a complete understanding of the situation comes to them much later than childbirth. Some are frightened, unable to cope with a screaming lump that requires no one knows what, others have a hard time getting sleepless nights, and the first months of a baby's life seem like a nightmare. A mature woman treats everything differently, and even if this is her first baby, relationships will still be built differently.

Confidence in the future. It is not enough to give birth to a child, it needs to be raised and provided for. This truth is clear to many, but, as a rule, young mothers do not have a stable financial situation. A woman over 40 has already established herself as a specialist, she has built a career and managed to occupy a certain niche in the professional field. This is exactly the case when, after giving birth, you think first of all about the baby, and not about studying or working. The mother herself can provide for her son or daughter, and this is very important for the calm and confident state of the pregnant woman. You can completely and completely focus on well-being, without being distracted by any extraneous thoughts.

special treatment. With each passing year, a person accumulates experience, and after a certain period this knowledge results in a qualitative change in attitude to life. At 20, an individual is not the same as at 30, and even more so at 40. The later children are born, the more reverently and tenderly their parents treat them. These guys are harder, they are often weaker than their peers who were born to young dads and moms, and in general, mature people have a different attitude towards offspring. This happens as a result of wisdom acquired over the years. Children born to their parents after the age of 40 are almost always surrounded by a special halo of love and tenderness, they have a trusting and balanced relationship with both their mother and father.

So, is it worth giving birth, being far from reproductive age? There is no single answer to this question and there cannot be. Each decision should be made individually and only after all the pros and cons have been weighed. After all, the point is not even how old the mother is, but also the position of the family and the situation in which the conception occurred. Rarely at this age the child is planned. And that's why.

After 40 years, not all, but many women enter the menopause, and this, first of all, affects the nature of monthly bleeding. They become irregular and increasingly scarce. At such a time, representatives of the beautiful half of humanity can weaken the control of protection against unwanted pregnancy, and conceive a child. There are many such situations. And they have a choice: to give birth or not? It is especially difficult to do it if there are older children who have already grown up, and you don’t want to plunge into caring for the baby again.

And no matter what decision a pregnant woman makes, it is always worth remembering one thing: a child is a miracle given by God, no matter how old his mother is. Every day spent next to your son or daughter is priceless, and you need to be able to enjoy it. The kid will grow up and after a few years will start living an independent life, but before this happens, he will repeatedly please his parents with a sincere smile and big victories.

Although it is said that after 45 “a woman is a berry again”, a lot is already perceived wrong and is much harder than in youth. For some people, overcoming the fourth decade is a milestone after which life begins to decline, but this is not so. The birth of a child at this age can turn the world upside down, bring an endless stream of positive and create a surge of new emotions. However, such a statement does not mean at all that everyone must necessarily acquire a baby after 40 years in order to feel a huge influx of strength and immerse themselves in the atmosphere of youth. But if this has already happened, then do not be afraid.

In conclusion, I would like to say about one more danger of late motherhood. If a woman aged after 35 - 40 years has a first-born, then all the fears of a young newly-made mother can touch her too. An adequate attitude to life and a sober look at the situation both in general and in general will help to cope. Do not immediately panic and draw the most gloomy prospects. All children get sick, and everyone has falls, bruises, bad moods and little sorrows. Not a single person has yet grown up without it, regardless of whether after 18 or after 38 his mother gave birth.

Video of the program "Health in the house"

You are pregnant. Well, it seems like you should be happy, but for some reason there are only questions in my head “Maybe it’s too late?”, “Will I be able to give birth to a healthy baby?”, and all because you are no longer a girl, and your age has exceeded the fourth decade. Do you think that child over 40 cannot be born healthy, because this period is the most dangerous for childbearing?
Throw all doubts and nonsense out of your head. Start rejoicing that you will soon become a mother, and trust that your pregnancy will pass without complications. Of course, doctors will tell you that it is dangerous to give birth at this age, and the pregnancy itself will be difficult.

If you have definitely decided for yourself that you are ready to become a mother, do not back down. By the way, after 40 children gave birth to world stars, such as Madonna, Iman, Annette Bening, Cherie Blair, Susan Saradon and Jerry Hall.

We offer to consider the most popular questions that arise among those who are going to have a baby after 40 years.

At what age is a woman considered late in labor?

In the early 80s, those who gave birth to children after 28 years old were considered “late” mothers, and in the 90s, those women whose age was more than 35 years old began to be called “old-timers”. Nowadays most often “late” women in labor include women over 37 years old.

What are the chances of giving birth after 40?

As a woman ages, her chances of getting pregnant decrease steadily. After 30 years, they fall by 20%, from 35 years old - by 45-50%, and from 40 years old - by about 90%. Of course, these figures in no way indicate that a child after 40 is an unfulfilled dream.

It is possible to give birth, and this was confirmed by scientists in North Carolina, who have been observing for two years for 782 pairs advanced age. The results showed that only 70 couples failed to conceive after having sex without condoms for two years. Principal researcher David Dunson says couples who want to have a baby after 40 should have patience and wait, while not forgetting about maintaining a constant sexual life. As a result, the intervention of modern reproductive technology can be avoided, unless there are good reasons for this.

Why do women give birth so late?

If we compare how forty-year-old women lived 10-30 years ago and how they live now, we can observe a high improving the quality of life. Today, such women have good health, can take care of themselves by visiting fitness and spa centers, besides, modern medicine can work real miracles. Dr. Julia Berryman believes that women over 40 are more ready to get pregnant, since they have already taken place in life, have a good job and all other benefits.

What is the percentage of mature women in labor?

In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of women giving birth in adulthood. Today, a child after 40 is born in 2% of pregnant women. A recent study indicates that out of seven pregnant women, one pregnant woman is over 35 years old.

Does the age of a man affect pregnancy after 40?

Scientists at the University of Bristol conducted a study that showed that mature women have to wait longer for pregnancy if their partner is the same age.

So, it has been proven that a woman who is 3-5 years younger than a man is less likely to become pregnant after 40 than a woman whose man is her age or 2-3 years younger. British researchers have confirmed this fact. They interviewed several women who indicated that their child after 40 was born from men who were several years younger than them.

What else can interfere with pregnancy after 40?

The following can prevent you from conceiving a child:

• Wrong nutrition.
• Overuse coffee. If you drink more than two cups a day, then the ability to conceive decreases, and the risk of miscarriage also increases.
• Use alcohol.
• Smoking after 35 years, it threatens with congenital malformation of the fetus and the birth of a child with low weight.
• Thinness and fullness also negatively affects the birth of children in adulthood.
• stress. The more a woman is nervous and worried, the less likely she is to have a baby after 40.

Do I need to seek medical help?

In adulthood, when it has already exceeded 35, a woman begins perimenopause, When very difficult to catch ovulation days. That is why it is best to seek the help of a doctor who will determine what can be done. Most likely, he will develop a special diet and prescribe vitamins. Some doctors advise their patients to undergo acupuncture, which has a positive effect on the development of ovulation.

What effect does age have on pregnancy?

The older a person gets, the more likely they are to develop any disease. As a rule, closer to 40, many women have chronic disorders, including diabetes. In addition, blood pressure can still increase, and the risk of malignant tumors is very high. Of course, such violations negatively affect the birth of children after 40.

And even if the woman does not have any diseases, hypertension, diabetes, and bleeding can occur at any time during pregnancy.

Postpartum complications increase already at the age of 20-29, but most often, and this is 20%, they appear at the age of 35-40 years. As a rule, with the development of modern medicine, any pregnancy disorders are recognized already at an early stage therefore more likely that a child after 40 years of age will be born healthy.

How is childbirth in adulthood?

Often, in order to give birth after 40, women have to induce labor, do epidural anesthesia. Many women in labor cannot give birth on their own, so they are given C-section.

Some studies show that much depends from the mood of the women in labor. Those who are more clearly aware of everything, it is easier to fulfill the requests of doctors and agree to a caesarean section.

Does the risk of giving birth by caesarean section increase with age?

While such dependence not installed. Surgical intervention has the same percentage, both at 30 and at forty years.

Can the age of the mother affect the development of the child?

High probability the fact that a child after 40 will be born unhealthy or developmentally disabled. The risk of having a child with a disease such as Down syndrome.

According to recent studies, after 30 years, one child in 400 is born Down, and after 40 - one in 32. In addition, late births can end ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage and stillbirth. It has not yet been possible to determine the cause of stillbirth in older pregnant women, while one out of 440 babies is still born today.

What is the percentage of miscarriages in women of mature age?

Miscarriages have become a frequent occurrence in our lives. Compared to new mothers, the risk of miscarriage in mature women is about 50% higher. Childbirth after 40 most often has such an outcome.

Here, by the way, obstetric and genealogical history plays a role. It will not be difficult to understand that women who have never had a miscarriage have a lower risk of miscarriage at the age of 40 than those who have experienced such a pregnancy outcome at least once in their lives.

How common are preterm births?

A child after 40 years old can be born prematurely, but only if the woman gives birth not the first child. Those who are expecting their first child most often give birth at term.

Does the chance of having twins or triplets increase with age?

The older the woman, the more likely that she will give birth to more than one child. But a greater chance falls on fertility fraternal twins.

There is an opinion that later children are more prone to diabetes. Is it so?

Yes, type 1 diabetes in later children depends on how old the mother was at the time of birth. At 35, it is about 25%, after forty 30% or more.

For example, a woman can give birth to a child after 40 who will develop diabetes in adolescence, while the probability is 3 times higher than in children born to young mothers.

Should a pregnant woman be under increased medical supervision?

Yes, a pregnant woman should most often go to the doctor, take tests and undergo various studies.

What is the probability that the doctor will prescribe surgery?

Yes, Doctors today tend to play it safe, appointing women in labor instead of the usual birth of a caesarean section. But today, all over the world, based on practice, doctors are trying to avoid such actions, increasingly directing women in labor to natural childbirth.

Maybe it's better to refuse the birth of a child?

There is a certain risk of having a baby after 40, but this is not a reason to refuse pregnancy. After all a healthy woman and at that age can give birth to a completely healthy child.

What types of tests are used to diagnose the pregnancy of "late" mothers?

There are two types of tests used in the process of monitoring a pregnant woman. This scanning and diagnostics. Scanning tests give only preliminary conclusions about the likely presence of deviations:

The study of hormonal levels in the blood. It is used to identify the risk of chromosomal abnormalities, including Down syndrome. Time of carrying out - 16-18 weeks of pregnancy.

Ultrasonography also used to detect various anomalies, including Down syndrome and various genetic disorders. A child after 40 is examined at 10-18 weeks of pregnancy.

Diagnostic tests provide more accurate and reliable information:

Chorionic test (CVS)- uterine cells are taken for research, during the diagnosis of which the presence or absence of Down syndrome, as well as some other genetic disorders, is revealed. A test is carried out at 11-13 weeks of pregnancy, the accuracy of the study is 99.9%.

Amniocentesis used to study amniotic fluid, during which the diagnosis of muscular dystrophy, Down's syndrome and many other genetic disorders occurs. The data obtained is accurate with 99.9%. Terms of carrying out - 16-19 weeks of pregnancy.

Alpha fetoprotein- a blood test, which is performed at 15-18 weeks. It is used to detect Down syndrome and defects of the nervous system.

Cordosentesis is a fetal blood test that helps detect rubella, toxoplasmosis, and Down syndrome. It is carried out at the 18th week of pregnancy.

Are tests dangerous for mother and child?

All tests do not pose a risk to the pregnant woman and her fetus, with the exception of amniocentesis, chorionic test and cordocentesis. When taking uterine cells for research, there is risk of miscarriage, and this may happen in one in 100 cases. The risk of miscarriage during cordocentesis and chorion test is 1-2%.

Should every woman do these tests?

No, not necessarily. Usually, every fifth woman, going to give birth to a child after 40, refuses to from passing such tests. This is their right, but it should be remembered that in some cases it is simply necessary to do this or that test from a medical point of view.

Is it true that mature women are better at handling their children?

Research shows that "mature" mothers are more calm, balanced and, as a rule, spend more time with their child. Life experience, accumulated over many years, makes itself felt precisely in the period of raising children. As a rule, they better shopping experience. By the way, according to statistics, the children of "late" mothers are more well-mannered and are distinguished by increased academic performance at school.

Can the birth of a child be a shock to the mother?

Undoubtedly, before that, a woman devoted her whole life to herself, and now 24 hours a day it is necessary to be near the baby. Fatigue, which is inherent in young mothers, does not leave those who have given birth to a child after 40.

There is an opinion that mature mothers live longer.

Research conducted by scientists at the University of Manchester showed that women who give birth at the age of 35-40 have a greater chance of surviving to 80-90 years. It was not possible to establish the reasons for this, but there is an assumption that the increase in the life of old-timers is due to postponing menopause to a later date.

They gave birth to late children

• Geena Davis gave birth to a daughter, Alize Keshwar, at the age of 46. Two years later, twins appeared in the family.
• Kim Basinger gave birth to a daughter, Ireland, at 42.
• Beverly D, Angelo At 46, she gave birth to twins by artificial insemination.
• Great Madonna gave birth to her first child, daughter Lourdes, at the age of 40, and 2 years later, her son Rocco was born. Hearing rumors that she was allegedly going to adopt a baby, the great star threatened to sue, as in fact she was accused of not being able to have children anymore. Most likely, in the near future, the pop diva will decide to give birth to her third child.

The birth of a baby is a happy moment, no matter how old his mother turned. Future "late" mothers once again want to wish patience and good mood. You will definitely be fine. So be prepared for the fact that all your time will be spent on a small creation. Is this not a woman's happiness?

Many women decide to become a mother after 40 years, at a conscious age. At this time, as a rule, they can provide themselves and their child with financial stability, the expectant mother is self-confident, has reached certain career heights, “lived for herself”, saw the world. It is during this period that a woman begins to think about motherhood. But is it possible to give birth after 40, how will this affect the child and the health of the woman?

Body Features

Between the ages of eighteen and thirty-five, the female reproductive system is ready for childbirth and childbearing. The optimal age for having a baby is between 18 and 28 years. This is for the first baby. It is desirable to give birth to a second child after the age of 28. However, these are only statistical data, and there are exceptions in life. For example, until the beginning of the 21st century, the average age at which women gave birth to a child was 21 years old. By the beginning of this century, this figure had grown significantly - now the fair sex prefers to bear their first child by the age of 30.

After 35, changes begin to occur in a woman's body that can adversely affect the ability to become pregnant, endure and give birth to a healthy child:

1. According to studies, the chance of getting pregnant after the age of 40 naturally during the cycle is 5%. This is due to a decrease in a woman's fertility.
2. After 40 years, a woman's body begins to prepare for menopause. This causes certain changes in the body: the number of eggs is rapidly decreasing, the level of hormones is decreasing.
3. Previously, hypertension was considered exclusively a disease of the elderly, but now it is not. Women under the age of 40 also suffer from hypertension. This can become an obstacle to bearing a child, children can be born weakened.
4. During pregnancy, the body goes through a lot of stress. In this regard, women may develop various diseases: diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cholelithiasis, endometriosis.
5. The load on the musculoskeletal system also increases, therefore, when planning childbirth, it is necessary to take into account existing diseases: osteochondrosis, lordosis.

Changes in a woman's body lead to the fact that the likelihood of becoming pregnant is reduced, but this does not mean that she will not be able to become a mother. Fortunately, medicine does not stand still, and therefore, with the help of the latest fertilization techniques, it is possible to become a mother even after 40 years. However, pregnancy planning must be approached wisely and assess all possible risks.

Advantages

Pregnancy and childbirth, the appearance of a child in a family where the mother is over 40 years old, has its positive aspects:

• As a rule, at this age a woman is financially stable. This means that she will be able to give a lot to her child and not worry about what to feed him. In this regard, during the bearing of a baby, ladies are less nervous, which has a positive effect on their condition.
• A woman approaches pregnancy planning at the age of 40 consciously, often weighing all the positive and negative sides.
• The expectant mother devotes time to her health, knows about her illnesses and possible risks.
• Due to the fact that most women have already reached career heights by the age of 40, they will be able to devote more time to the child.
• As a rule, pregnancy is a conscious decision and becomes long-awaited, which means that the expectant mother will love and appreciate her child more (as some claim).
• Before planning a pregnancy, many women at this age approach responsibly, lead an active and healthy lifestyle, study specialized literature, which allows them to better know what awaits them after childbirth.
• Equally important is the climate in the family. As a rule, people have already lived together for quite a long time, studied each other, and therefore will be able to support each other in critical situations.

Pregnancy planning, as a rule, becomes a responsible step for a woman, since childbirth after 40 can be complicated. Therefore, the expectant mother consults with doctors and undergoes all the necessary studies.

Possible risks

Carrying and giving birth to a child by a mother at the age of forty is associated with certain risks:

• Studies have shown that children are at an increased risk of developing diabetes.
• Children may be born with developmental disabilities.
• Quite often, after 40, children are born with autism, neurological disorders, Down syndrome.
• The risk to the health of the mother is also very high - however, it all depends on how healthy she led before pregnancy.
• The child is more likely to develop a gene mutation.
• Diseases of the heart, kidneys, gynecological diseases can interfere with enduring and giving birth to a healthy child. However, women of any age can suffer from them, so this does not mean that there is a possible risk.
• The negative side of pregnancy after 40 also includes the fact that a woman's body is physiologically less ready to bear a child. The walls of the uterus are no longer so elastic, so it will be harder for the embryo to gain a foothold. There is a high chance of developing an ectopic pregnancy. In addition, in some cases, early termination of pregnancy is possible.
• The recovery period after childbirth will last longer than in younger women. This can be an unpleasant discovery for a new mother. Also, she may be disturbed by pain in the lower back and lower abdomen, soreness in the chest, bad mood.
• Because of the habitual way of life, it can be quite difficult for some mothers after 40 to adjust to a new pace, to get used to getting up to the child at night. Lack of sleep at this age can exacerbate illnesses, if any.

Studies were conducted that proved that children from late pregnancy were weaker. But this is due to the fact that before giving birth at 40, women became mothers several times, which means that the body was weakened.

When planning a pregnancy at this age, a woman in labor should be carefully examined by a gynecologist, discuss with him the risk of developing pathologies in the child, assess the chances of pregnancy and natural childbirth.

Possible ways to get pregnant

Since after the age of 40 a woman's fertility decreases and the chances of getting pregnant naturally are very small, artificial insemination is possible. During the IVF procedure, several eggs are removed from a woman, which are stored in special laboratory conditions. Then the partner's or donor's sperm is taken, the most active spermatozoa are planted in the egg. When fertilization is successful, the finished eggs are planted in the uterus. As a rule, several of them are placed in order to increase the chances that one of them will take root.

Preparation

If a woman nevertheless decided to give birth at the age of 40, she needs to undergo a series of examinations and change her lifestyle in order to prepare her body for such an important step.

• Refuse to use nicotine and alcohol a year before the expected pregnancy.
• Take vitamins and mineral complexes prescribed by a doctor.
• Undergo a full examination by a gynecologist, and cure diseases of the reproductive organs, if any.
• Consult with an endocrinologist to analyze the level of hormones, assess the functioning of the hormonal system.
• Be examined by a cardiologist to assess the condition and analyze the possibility of bearing and giving birth to a child.
• Avoid excessive consumption of caffeine (because it is bad for fertility).
• It is advisable to walk a lot and do special gymnastics, which will prepare the pelvic muscles for the upcoming birth.
• Undergo special trainings (at antenatal clinics or in private childbirth preparation centers).
• Get screened for hepatitis, TORCH infections, and STDs.

If it is reasonable to approach pregnancy planning, the chances of having a healthy baby can be quite high.

Examination during pregnancy

When carrying a child, you should pay special attention to your well-being and undergo routine examinations. Due to this, it is possible to detect diseases and pathologies in the development of the child at an early stage. The giving birth body needs special care, especially after 40, a woman should:

• Undergo scheduled ultrasound examinations (in the first trimester at 11 weeks, in the second at 26, in the third - if necessary).
• Timely take the prescribed blood and urine tests.
• Carry out cardiac monitoring, during which the child's heart is heard, the presence of pathologies is determined.
• If necessary, undergo dopplerography - a research method that allows you to identify fetal hypoxia and take the necessary measures.
• It is mandatory to pass a screening test - carried out in the second trimester, between 15 and 20 weeks. Allows you to determine the presence of gene mutations in a child.

Timely conduct of the necessary studies is very necessary during pregnancy, since only with their help it is possible to identify diseases at an early stage and take the necessary measures. In addition, the expectant mother must follow all the instructions of the doctors and regularly undergo scheduled examinations.

Doctors' opinion

So, the woman has made a decision, she will become pregnant and give birth. What do doctors think about this?

The opinion of doctors on the issue of childbirth after forty is quite unambiguous: there are risks, and they should be avoided. However, in many progressive countries, where giving birth after 40 has become commonplace, doctors help expectant mothers and are sympathetic to the decision of a woman. Of course, there are risks, but if a woman has made a decision, weighed all the pros and cons and is ready, then doctors help and support.

Due to the fact that the risk of giving birth to a child with Down syndrome rises from 1:1700 to 1:150, doctors very often discourage women from giving birth after 40. At the same time, many scientific studies have been conducted recently that confirm that a healthy woman can give birth to an absolutely healthy baby even after the end of the generally accepted childbearing age.

An unequivocal answer to the question "Is it possible to give birth at 40?" - No. It all depends on the woman's body and her desires. Reviews of those “brave women”, as they are often called, confirm: if there is an opportunity and desire, definitely give birth! Children are a miracle, a woman feels young, beautiful, happy and needed, because she has become a mother.

The joy of motherhood can be felt at any age, and it doesn’t matter if you are a young girl or a woman over... Late pregnancy and childbirth at 40 in Western European countries is the norm. And for our mentality - in some way a deviation from the usual. There are many reasons for having a child at forty. This is the previously impossible fertilization, the desire to get back on your feet, find housing, make a career, live for yourself and, in the end, test the strength of marriage ties. Over the years, the attitude to childbearing has changed dramatically. For young girls, this is often an unplanned act, while for an “autumn” woman, it is most often carefully considered and conscious. There are many myths about late children. At the same time, the question of how childbirth takes place at the age of 40, the opinion of doctors is sometimes very contradictory. Some believe that modern medicine has such a supply of therapeutic methods that age is not a sentence, and does not even interfere with bearing and giving birth to a healthy baby. Others are of the opinion that women's health after 40 is not strong enough for this and there is a significant risk for both mothers and newborns.

First birth at forty: pros and cons

If you still decide to give birth at a late age - cast aside all doubts and nonsense, rejoice that soon the little man will call you mom. Often, doctors themselves dissuade patients, they say that it is dangerous to give birth, that the pregnancy itself is difficult. But if a woman does not have serious deviations in health and chronic diseases, then why not? Age itself is not an obstacle to bearing a healthy and strong child.

Benefits of late motherhood

There are many myths that speak in favor of age-related childbearing. To believe them or not is everyone's business. The opinion of doctors on this matter is also quite contradictory.

1. Late children are more talented and smart than newborn young girls.
2. Over the years, experience comes, and therefore the process of education is of a higher quality and higher level.
3. After the birth of a baby, again due to age, the best conditions for development are created for him, more attention and care from parents is paid.
4. Pregnancy has a great healing effect - the risk of oncological, cardiovascular and infectious diseases is reduced, as the woman's body is mobilized and adjusted to positive emotions, programmed for a high-quality and healthy lifestyle.
5. The opinion of doctors in Western clinics is that a forty-year-old expectant mother can be easily compared with a young woman for health reasons.
6. When breastfeeding, a special hormone of joy is produced - oxytocin. This leads to the effect of rejuvenation of mothers, prolongs life. Childbirth after 40 years of age statistics claims that late children contribute to the return of the state of health of the body by 5 to 10 years ago.

Well, the most important thing! Giving new life is always an act, no matter at what age it is done.

Risk factors

Risks of First Birth at 40

Nevertheless, late childbirth after 40 years has some unpleasant sides. They are not always natural. There is always the threat of a caesarean section. But why should we be so afraid of this? After all, many young girls during childbirth consciously take this step in order to avoid some complications. And if the woman is healthy and the obstetric history has no contraindications, then the natural first birth is quite possible. Other negative factors that affect and affect the newborn are also noted.

1. The risk of a child developing Down syndrome and other genetic diseases, which is usually directly related to the age of the parents. But the latest methods for studying intrauterine development may well determine the development of pathological factors in time.
2. The complex process of pregnancy and gestation. But modern medicine has all the smell of the necessary techniques to keep the body normal after fertilization.
3. Frequent cases of prematurity or overmaturity of the fetus. But such cases are typical for different age categories.
4. The likelihood of rupture of the birth canal. But if we take into account the level of development of medicine, there are no reasons for special concern.

Know! The danger exists always and regardless of age! Late pregnancy should not be a reason for abandoning motherhood. It’s just that it is extremely important for a woman in this position to weigh all the pros and cons in order to decide on childbirth after 40 years. Be sure to consult and be constantly monitored by a gynecologist and geneticist, undergo all the prescribed ultrasound and other examinations in order to reduce the risk to the health of the unborn baby.

Psychological aspect

How to prepare for childbirth at 40

Not only the body and health, but also the general mental and emotional state at the age of forty should be ready for late qualitatively new changes in life. The first birth at the age of 40, the opinion of psychoanalysts, should be accompanied by an adequate and positive attitude. Anxiety, fear, depressive states will harm. If these factors are absent, the child will be more developed than that of young mothers, mobile and cheerful. Parents for the child will become a role model, and they themselves will be successful and self-sufficient individuals.
Late childbirth, first children - for many it was a pipe dream. Therefore, the principles of raising a long-awaited child are also qualitatively different. And it doesn’t matter that dad won’t ride a bike with his son or play football in the yard. Let late children spend time with their peers, and parents in the evening will offer them educational games and the study of cognitive literature. Do not pay attention to the opinion of society and its hostility. Maintain dignity and do not fall for provocations from ill-wishers. After all, only you know that if you decide to give birth at the age of 40, then your family is the happiest and strongest in all respects.

Today, late childbirth has ceased to be something unusual and surprising. Everyone knows that the disadvantages of age-related childbearing are much greater than the pros. But fortunately, the cons do not always work, and the pros remain unchanged. And let nothing frighten and stop those who are on the way to the birth of a new little man, regardless of age. And to give birth after 40 or not - the decision always remains with the woman.

Feel the strength in yourself and realize desires, then everything will work out!

Health and happiness to you and your future babies!