What are the risks in pregnancy over the age of 40

What are the risks in pregnancy over the age of 40?

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Pregnancy period, which is a miraculous period, has different meanings for every woman. While some prefer to be mothers at a younger age, others prefer to experience this feeling in their more mature age. Some women may choose these ages arbitrarily, and some may leave them to older ages because their health conditions do not allow.

In today's modern times , the age of getting married and having children has advanced considerably, with women taking an active role in business life. At the peak of their careers, women are not sufficiently interested in their private lives, both due to their own preferences and necessities. Contrary to the old times, the increase in the age of marriage for women up to 35-40 increased the age of becoming a mother accordingly.

Are pregnancy symptoms different over the age of 40 ?

The symptoms of pregnancy may vary from person to person, and do not differ in people with different ages. The symptoms of people who become pregnant at an advanced age are the same as those of younger individuals. These symptoms are;

Light bleeding

Nausea and vomiting

Weakness, tiredness

Menstrual delay.

Is there a risk of baby having down syndrome?

Age increases the risk of infertility as egg quality decreases in advanced ages. However, the risk of medical conditions associated with infertility also increases.

Women aged 40 and over have an increased risk of pregnancy complications such as high blood pressure, preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes.

Birth abnormalities or genetic conditions also increase in the baby. A 40-year-old mother has a 1 in 100 chance of having a child with Down syndrome, increasing to 1 in 30 at 45.

Preeclampsia (Pregnancy poisoning) risk increases

Preeclampsia is a serious problem that continues with high blood pressure and protein loss in the urine that occurs after the 20th week of pregnancy and can endanger the life of the mother and baby if it cannot be prevented, and preeclampsia is more common in pregnant women aged 40 and over. For this reason, it is very important to measure blood pressure at every examination in advanced pregnancies, to investigate the patient in terms of preeclampsia and to treat preeclampsia if the blood pressure is high.

What are the risks awaiting the baby?

Being a mother at an advanced age may pose a risk not only for pregnant women but also for babies. One of the important problems that arise in pregnancies over the age of 35 is the possibility of abnormal conditions of increased chromosomes. Among these, Down syndrome occupies an important place.

In cases where the baby is born prematurely due to pregnancy-related diseases, pregnancy-related hypertension, diabetes and placental abnormalities in the mother, the baby is exposed to the dangers arising from premature birth.

IVF , cesarean is not reason

It is a misunderstanding that mothers who will have a baby with IVF must have a cesarean delivery. Cesarean delivery is only a decision made by the physician following the birth based on other problems that may occur during the birth. However, since pregnancy at the age of 40 and over is more important for the patient, cesarean section can be performed primarily with patient preference in order to be more planned. The pregnant woman may want to end the birth as soon as possible. Of course, if the mother and baby do not have an indication to require cesarean, this procedure can be performed safely.