Having a child at 40 has become more and more common. There are multiple reasons why women wait to have children.. From fertility treatments, through their professional careers or not finding a stable life until later in life. The reasons for delaying motherhood are varied because they depend on very personal factors.
Although women are often told that it is better to have children before the age of 35, the truth is that this reality is changing. Specialists are increasingly aware that births of the first child among women between 40 and 44 years of age have grown considerably in recent decades. If you're curious about what it's like to have a baby in your 40s, consider both the benefits and the risks. that it entails.
Are there benefits to having a child at 40?
Sometimes the benefits of having a child later in life can be greater than those of having children in their 20s or 30s. For one thing, you are much more likely to have established your professional life and be able to spend more time raising your children. In addition to that your financial situation may also be more stable than when you were younger. These are some of the most common benefits of having a child at age 40:
- Your cognitive impairment is reduced
- Your productive life is lengthened
- Your children will have better educational results
Is pregnancy at age 40 high risk?
Due to technological advances related to fertility, pregnancy and childbirth, Is it possible to safely have a child at age 40?. However, any pregnancy after this age is considered high risk. Your doctor will check you and your baby for the following aspects:
- High blood pressure, because it can increase the risk of a pregnancy complication called pre-eclampsia
- Gestational diabetes
- Birth defects, such as Down syndrome
- Spontaneous abortion
- That the baby has an adequate weight at birth
- Ectopic pregnancy, common if in vitro fertilization has been used
How does age affect fertility?
A woman's fertility rate declines significantly after the age of 35. One-third of couples age 35 and older experience fertility problems. This can be attributed to the following risk factors, which increase with age:
- The number of fertile eggs decreases
- Increased risk of miscarriage
- The ovaries release eggs with greater difficulty
- Health problems can impede fertility
However, advancements in fertility technology have come on in leaps and bounds, and has made it possible for many women to achieve their dream of being mothers despite their age. The possibility of freezing eggs at a young age, sperm banks and in vitro fertilization have managed to fulfill many women's dreams of motherhood.
Conceive a child at age 40
After this age, it can be difficult to get pregnant. If you are over 40 years old and have been trying to get pregnant naturally for more than half a year without success, it may be time to see a fertility specialist. A fertility specialist will run tests to see if there are any factors that are affecting your ability to get pregnant.. These tests may include ultrasound to look at the uterus and ovaries, or blood tests to check ovarian reserve.
If you're having trouble getting pregnant naturally, talk to your doctor to find the most suitable option for you. Those options can be:
- Fertility drugs
- Assisted reproductive technology. You'll have an egg removed and fertilized in a lab before being reinserted into your uterus
- intrauterine insemination or artificial insemination. This option is especially useful if the infertility problem is with the man.
Pregnancy after 40 can be more challenging. You may feel more aches and pains due to joints and bones that are already beginning to lose mass with age. You could also be more susceptible to high blood pressure and gestational diabetes. Pregnancy-related fatigue can also become more pronounced as you age. It is important that you talk to your obstetrician and gynecologist about the problems you may have in your pregnancy depending on your age and general health.
The birth of a child at the age of 40
Vaginal delivery may be less likely after this age. This is mainly because fertility treatments can increase the risk of preterm labor. You may also be at higher risk of preeclampsia, which may require a cesarean delivery to save both mother and baby. If your baby is ultimately delivered vaginally, the process may be more risky because there is an increased risk of stillbirth.
But despite the negative many women give birth to healthy babies in their 40s or later. The important thing is to follow the recommendations of your doctor, who knows your body best. Nowadays it is more and more common to have the first child at 40 years old or later, so if you consider this possibility you will have a lot of support, and not only from your environment, but also from the medical side.