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Pregnancy at 40 carries the risk of complications, but it also has many advantages. People who have children at a more mature age value their experience, but also their quality of life or financial stability.
Pregnancy at 40 – how to prepare?
The older a woman gets, the smaller her ovarian reserve is, and consequently there may be problems getting pregnant. That is why doctors recommend starting to try to have a child earlier. However, some couples decide to get pregnant at the age of 40. In such a situation, it is advisable to prepare well.
A woman should have basic examinations such as blood count, blood glucose level, cytology and breast ultrasound. A transvaginal ultrasound examination can provide information about the possible presence of uterine fibroids or other anomalies that may affect the pregnancy and its progress. In addition, it is worth visiting the doctor’s office and consulting a vein specialist to reduce the risk of developing varicose veins during pregnancy. The expectant mother should also have her blood pressure checked. With age, the risk of lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and hypertension increases, which, if left unchecked, can lead to complications during pregnancy. When preparing for pregnancy, it is important to maintain an appropriate body weight through a healthy diet and regular exercise. Parents should avoid alcohol and stimulants. Supplementation with folic acid, which reduces the risk of neural tube defects, is very important.
Pregnancy at 40 – Research
In case of high risk of malformations in the child, amniocentesis or free fetal DNA test is recommended. Expectant mothers should also seek the care of a qualified specialist due to a high-risk pregnancy resulting from the age of the pregnant woman.
Pregnancy at 40 – risks
With increasing age, the probability of becoming pregnant decreases. Women in their 40s often need more time to get pregnant, and sometimes assisted reproduction methods are necessary. In addition, pregnancy in the 40s carries the risk of complications such as gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes, and preterm birth. As the woman ages, the risk of chromosomal abnormalities in the child also increases. Pregnancies in the 40s are more likely to have Down syndrome and Edwards syndrome. Statistically, a 40-year-old woman has a risk of Down syndrome of about 1 in 100, compared with 1 in 1,200 at age 20. However, many women in their 40s give birth to healthy children and enjoy late motherhood.
