The third pregnancy at the age of 40 is the opinion of doctors. At what age is a woman considered a "late childbirth"

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 very favorable period to conceive a baby is a thing of 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, healthy lifestyle life, avoid stressful situations, get 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 (simply speaking, 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!

The opinions of doctors about pregnancy at 40 differ. Some of them express their negative attitude towards this issue, while others, on the contrary, portend a positive outcome. Whether it is the first or the second pregnancy, it still has great risks, both for the health of the mother and for her child.

Probability of pregnancy

By the age of 40, a woman's body gradually begins to prepare for the upcoming menopause. The ratio of hormones changes and metabolic processes worsen. The chance of getting pregnant within one year is 40-50%. This indicator depends on periodic failures in the cycle.

Almost every woman at this age has chronic diseases that can adversely affect the health of the fetus. If this is the first pregnancy, then it can act as a catalyst for the development of previously undiagnosed hereditary diseases. But, if you choose the right approach to this issue, then at this age you can become a happy mother.

Pros and cons

Before making such a responsible decision, you should carefully weigh all the pros and cons, while relying on the competent reviews of doctors.

Risks for the mother and baby

To prevent in time possible complications, you need to be prepared for them in advance.

First pregnancy

If this is the first pregnancy, then a woman may face a number of risks:

1. Risk of miscarriage. Up to 12 weeks, this can happen in 30-40% of women over 40 years old. It depends on a number of factors occurring in the body: a decrease in the activity of the ovaries and reproductive functions, genetic mutations. Previous abortions may also affect this.
2. Deterioration of carbohydrate metabolism, which leads to the onset of gestational diabetes mellitus.
3. Thickening of the wall of the placenta. This is due to malfunctioning of the blood vessels and leads to a deterioration in the penetration of oxygen and essential nutrients.
4. Early toxicosis and preeclampsia. Toxicosis occurs in a more severe form. This is due to the fact that the body tolerates metabolic changes worse. In addition, it can develop into preeclampsia, which has the same symptoms as toxicosis, only in a more intensified form. In addition, it negatively affects the functioning of the liver, kidneys and brain of the expectant mother and impairs blood circulation in the placenta.
5. Ectopic pregnancy. It may occur due to improper functioning of the fallopian tubes, the presence of adhesions and inflammation in them.
6. Purulent-septic manifestations. It could be postpartum ulcer, endometritis, myoendometritis, parametritis, metrothrombophlebitis, adnexitis, phlebitis of the veins of the pelvis and lower extremities, pelvioperitonitis.

Complications for the child:

1. Chromosomal abnormalities. Lead to the presence of Down syndrome in the unborn baby.
2. Hypoxia during childbirth and during pregnancy. The lack of oxygen negatively affects the work of all internal organs and the brain.
3. The birth of a child from 28 to 36 weeks. Premature babies in adulthood are more susceptible to various diseases.

Second pregnancy

It has the same risks and complications as the first. Only in this case, the abdomen is somewhat lower, because after the first pregnancy, the muscles and ligaments of the abdominal cavity are stretched and can no longer support the fetus so well. There is additional pressure on the pelvic organs. This leads to more frequent urination.

Important! Before planning a second pregnancy after 40 years, you should more carefully approach the issue of diagnosing the bladder.

In addition, one should not forget about the possibility of Rh mismatch between mother and child. This happens if the blood of a pregnant woman has rhesus negative and the child is positive. The consequence may be the threat of abortion or hemolytic disease of the fetus, which occur in edematous, icteric and anemic form.

Who can't give birth?

• the presence of malignant neoplasms in the body;
• cirrhosis of the liver;
• renal, respiratory or heart failure;
• arterial hypertension of the 3rd degree;
• decompensated diabetes;
• blood diseases;
• autoimmune diseases.

Doctors strongly advise expectant mothers to thoroughly prepare for a planned pregnancy:

• consult a gynecologist, therapist and geneticist;
• 3-6 months before pregnancy planning, pass all the necessary laboratory tests;
• refuse potent drugs (hypnotics, antidepressants);
• start taking additional vitamin complexes after consultation with a gynecologist;
• give up bad habits and lead a healthy lifestyle;
• adjust your weight
• if necessary, additionally undergo examinations of internal organs, spine and pelvic bones.

Forecasts

Pregnancy after 40 years, despite the presence of aggravating factors, can pass without complications and risks for the expectant mother and her child. This directly depends on the psychological readiness of both parents and the medical indicators of the expectant mother.

Elena Malysheva touched on this topic in her program - her opinion is presented in the video below.

Pregnancy and childbirth after 40: all the "pros" and "cons" of such a decision

In recent years, an increasing number of women decide on pregnancy after 40. What is it: modern fashion, a trend of Western trends, or just our women have become stronger in health and feel better in the “post-Balzac age” than in their youth? It is not so important what causes this phenomenon. It is much more important to figure out whether the risks associated with the onset and bearing of a child at a late reproductive age are justified, or is it still worth giving way to the young, since “the train has already left”?

• Pregnancy after 40 years: pros and cons (doctors' opinion)
• Why is childbirth dangerous after 40 years? Choice of method of delivery
• Protection methods

Pregnancy after 40 years - the pros and cons: the opinion of doctors

Before deciding whether to have offspring at a fairly mature age, it makes sense to listen to the words of doctors. In this matter, the opinion of experts may not be unanimous. Most likely, having consulted with two doctors, you will receive two different answers, and one will be negative, and the other, even painted in positive tones, will still contain a number of doubts. Why? The fact is that late pregnancy associated with certain dangers for both the mother and the fetus.

And if this is also the first pregnancy, all the more so: for a woman, it can become a catalyst for the development of some previously dormant hereditary diseases. There are studies that clearly illustrate that just after a woman crosses the 40-year mark, she has a sharp.

So, Dr. Sherman Silber in his works writes about the reserve of eggs in the female body: at birth, a girl has about 300 thousand eggs, gradually lost up to 13 thousand eggs per year. At the age of 37, their number begins to decline at a rapid pace. Therefore, a woman may encounter difficulties already at the planning stage: a 40-year-old lady has a probability of self-conception in one cycle of no more than 5%. The first is pregnancy or the second does not play a special role: the body is aging anyway. A woman is more likely to have new or "awaken" old ailments:

• diseases of the biliary tract;
• cardiovascular pathologies;
• kidney diseases.

In addition, about pregnancy after 40 years doctors opinion cannot be called too encouraging, since in the late reproductive age there is a gradual preparation for the menopause, the ratio of hormones changes. Various hormonal surges can occur that negatively affect the health of the expectant mother herself. So, mastopathy is often observed, and especially often - cystic mastopathy caused by a violation of hormone production:

• estrogen;

Signs of mastopathy: a feeling of heaviness, "fullness" in the chest, the appearance of seals, sometimes - the release of bloody fluid or colostrum. The first pregnancy after 40 years can provoke or worsen such a condition if the disease is already present. It must be treated, since there are risks of substandard changes, and treatment will have to be postponed while the child is waiting. In many ladies, “aged” manifests itself (growth of the endometrium in the muscular layer of the uterus), which can make it difficult to conceive.

Positive aspects of pregnancy after 40

However, it cannot be said that the question of whether to give birth at 40 or not must be decided negatively. Everything is very individual, and sometimes female body maybe even rejuvenate. This is also a scientifically proven fact. The hormonal storm caused by the surge of placental and estrogen produced can shake up the entire body significantly. The oxytocin produced during breastfeeding, will add positive emotions (it is not for nothing that it is called the “hormone of joy”). In addition, a woman who has undergone childbirth at the age of 40 automatically falls from those who are in the “pre-climatic period” into the category of young mothers. Just thinking about it can give you strength.

Of course, older age has its own characteristics. But whether you are going to give birth to the first, second or third child is not so important. Differences will only be in the process of childbirth. Medical statistics prove that the second and subsequent births proceed faster, whether you are 20 or 40 years old. And the expectant mother herself can better judge whether everything is fine with her, based on previous experience.

Late pregnancy and its risks

Despite the relatively large number of “pluses” of late childbirth, for many women, an unexpected pregnancy may not be a joy, but a reason for reflection. The number of contraindications to gestation is increasing, in addition, there is a likelihood of developing complications for the fetus and mother: genetic defects, weak labor activity, fetal hypoxia, low birth weight. But if the reproductive system functions without failures, and the general condition of the mother's body is satisfactory, then you should not worry too much.

Absolute contraindications can be:

• oncological diseases;
• autoimmune diseases;
• chronic renal failure.

Preparing for an "interesting position"

These conditions are rare. In most cases, a woman will be able to carry a pregnancy in her 40s normally. You just need to know how to prepare in order to minimize the risks. To do this, you need to pass tests:

• general urine and blood tests;
• smear for PCR;
• hormones FSH, LH, AMH (this latter is a marker of ovarian reserve).

You will also have to do an ultrasound to check the condition of the endometrium. It would be useful to find out and also visit a mammologist. It is desirable to treat all existing chronic diseases so that they are in a state of stable remission.

If everything is in order, you can proceed to the “process”. What signs will a woman feel when an “interesting” situation occurs? Reviews of "experienced" testify: they are exactly the same as at any other age:

• soreness of the mammary glands;
• a little "pulling" stomach or a feeling of "butterflies in the stomach";
• delayed menses.

These signs can please or frighten a woman. But it is worth remembering: any changes in well-being before a delay in menstruation are not indicative. Wait for the cycle to start.

What is the danger of childbirth after 40 years: the choice of the method of delivery

If a decision is made in the family to leave the child, the woman will soon face the question: caesarean section or natural childbirth? Previously, doctors tended to the first option. Today they consider both. Indications for caesarean section will be only some chronic diseases, problems with the retina, a narrow pelvis, large fruit and others are common to women of all ages. Sometimes in "age" women in labor there is weakness labor activity- it can also cause an operation.

Now that you know how a pregnancy can proceed at 40, whether to give birth or not is up to you. Let the recovery of the body go more slowly than that of the young, let the development of the child be associated with somewhat greater risks than that of young mothers, but the birth of a new life is always happiness.

Protection methods

But if you have made a firm decision not to have children again, you must continue to use protection - and even more carefully than in your younger years. Until menopause sets in, there is a chance of pregnancy, albeit a small one. How to protect yourself correctly? Need to pick up hormonal preparations without progesterone and estrogens, or put an intrauterine device. Do not forget about the trouble-free method - barrier contraception.

The answer to the question should be balanced and thoughtful. A huge "plus" of a modern forty-year-old woman is her independence and life experience, allowing her to make the only right decision.

Even 20 years ago, women after 28 years of age were considered postpartum. Now, when the fair sex is trying to do everything, they often postpone motherhood until later. First, education, career, material base are of paramount importance. And more and more often, the time for the first birth is only 30-35 years.

Closer to forty, when the first-born is growing up (or has already grown up), many women are wondering if they should become a mother again. More and more often they look back on the street at women with strollers and catch themselves thinking that they would love to visit a children's store.

But many are afraid of age, and just a huge assortment of "terrible" stories about aged mothers and their children that the Internet is crammed with. Let's try to understand this issue in more detail.

Pregnancy after 40 years

Let's start with the fact that it is already quite difficult for a woman to get pregnant after 40 years. The level of fertility is rapidly declining, and the ovaries produce less and less “healthy” eggs ready for fertilization. The number of anovulatory cycles increases, i.e. cycles in which ovulation never occurs.

However, if pregnancy has occurred, then a woman over 40 should know that the next 9 months will be significantly different from the first pregnancy.

Despite the fact that society has begun to look more favorably on "age" moms, a certain bias remains in traditional medicine. And a woman will have to face it from the first days of pregnancy. Doctors will more closely monitor the development of the child and the condition of the expectant mother, they will have to attend a consultation more often than 20-year-old girls do in the position, many pregnant women at this age spend almost the entire period in a hospital for preservation.

Obstetrician-gynecologists can be understood: by the age of 40, a woman has already accumulated a sufficient burden of chronic diseases, and the process of bearing a child, associated with rapid hormonal and physiological changes, can undermine her health and threaten the condition of the baby.

The expectant mother, who is already over 40, will have to undergo screening studies without fail. There will be three of them. At a period of 11-13 weeks of pregnancy, you will need to donate blood and undergo an ultrasound diagnosis of the fetus. Based on a combination of factors, the risks of having a child with genetic pathologies will be calculated. During the screening, the probability of the birth of a baby with Down syndrome, Edwards, Cornelia de Lange, Patau, neural tube defects is established.

As you know, the older the mother, the more likely the birth of crumbs with Down syndrome. For example, in a 25-year-old woman, this risk is 1:2000. At the age of 30 - 1:1000, at 40 already - 1:150, and by the age of 45 1:30, that is, out of 30 births, one will end with the birth of a sick baby. Other genetic diseases, the risk of which is revealed by screening studies, are quite rare on their own.

A woman will have a second screening between 20 and 24 weeks. pregnancy. It will also include a blood test and an ultrasound. The third screening of pregnant women is carried out for a period of 30-34 weeks.

Pregnant women after 40, as a rule, all without exception, are referred for a consultation with a geneticist. And if the screening results cause him concern, the woman may be offered to undergo an examination by invasive methods. They are more informative, for example, amniocentesis (taking amniotic fluid for genetic analysis) gives a result with an accuracy of 99%.

What should you know in this situation? Screening, like invasive diagnostics, is voluntary. No one has the right to force a woman to pass them. Some "age" mothers deliberately refuse such a diagnosis, believing that their own calmness and calmness of the child is more important than the test result obtained as a result of nervous expectation and doubts.

The so-called late pregnancy will have its pros and cons. Let's take a closer look at them.

pros

• Forty-year-old parents, as a rule, approach the planning of the child more consciously. They already know what raising children is, they have sufficient material and spiritual base, as well as rich life experience in order to raise a new person.
• It is believed that the body of a woman over 40 is rejuvenated after childbirth. You can treat this as you like, but doctors do not refute this. Hormonal "shake" that will receive future mom within 9 months, it really has a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin, hair, mobilizes internal organs, the woman "blooms". She has a reduced risk of stroke, menopause comes later, and it passes less painfully.
• Forty-year-old mothers are more patient, calm, balanced and sensitive towards their children. They are more likely to survive the psychological postpartum crisis.

Minuses

• Carrying a baby at 40 is much more difficult than at 25. The load on all organs is so great that during pregnancy, a woman can not only exacerbate existing diseases, but also develop new ones.
• Late-birth mothers are more likely to have problems with lactation. Not enough milk or not at all.
• Quite often, a pregnancy over the age of 40 ends with a caesarean section. Doctors do not want to risk the health of the baby and mother during natural childbirth.
• Pregnancy over the age of 40 significantly increases the risk of miscarriage. Compared to the base values, it increases by about 50%. And a 40% increase in the risk of preterm birth.

Myths and reality

• Pregnancy after age 40 increases the chance of having twins. Moreover, the twins are likely to be fraternal. It's true. But the opinion that the children of 40-year-old mothers are more capable, talented and almost brilliant is a common myth. The age of the woman in labor in no way affects the intellectual abilities of the baby.
• Women who give birth after 40 live longer. Sociologists around the world claim that their research confirms this. But most likely, it's not in childbirth. It’s just that ladies who risked getting pregnant and giving birth to a baby in adulthood initially have more good health, which can not affect their life expectancy.
• Children are shy of older parents. pure water fiction. These parents are ashamed of themselves. And children love mom and dad just the way they are. Moreover, they have nothing to be ashamed of - parents in adulthood, as a rule, are well-off financially, have a stable job, and the housing problem is not acute for them.

If a woman nevertheless decided to become pregnant and give birth to a second child after 40 years, it will be difficult for her without psychological support. The fact is that late pregnancy is associated with a large number of fears. But age is not a sentence, and only the positive attitude of the expectant mother actually matters.

How to deal with your concerns?

• Focus on your feelings. Trust yourself. If you feel well, do not make unnecessary fuss, and do not run around the doctors' offices unless absolutely necessary. Enjoy your pregnancy, and then the fears themselves will burst like soap bubbles.
• Make good use of your time. Maternity leave is a good time for self-improvement. Do not dwell on your fears, listen to your favorite music, finally read all those books that you put off for later, watch movies. Make it a rule to learn something new every day. This is good for both mom and baby.
• Trust. Trust everyone who is close to you - your husband, your doctor. They understand that pregnancy is a serious test for you, and they are ready to help. Open up in response.
• Do not hesitate to tell household members about your experiences and feelings. Share with your spouse, with an older child, if his age allows you to understand you. Let all members of your family expect the birth of the baby with you. Feeling like you're on the same team can help move mountains and reduce anxiety.

• Do not neglect the advice to walk more often, take in the evening warm shower, learn to relax, master breathing exercises.
• Distance yourself from anyone who tries to sow even a grain of doubt in you or criticize your decision to become a mother. Whether or not to give birth at 40 is up to you. No one has the right to impose their opinion on you. Don't let anyone disturb your inner state.
• Get like-minded people. There are communities on the Internet where mature mothers like you will understand, support and not judge.

The birth of a child at any age is an extraordinary event. When weighing all the pros and cons, consider the most important factor - love. If you feel that she lives in you, and you are ready to give her in unlimited quantities to your loved ones, be sure to give birth to a baby, even if you are under 50.

The joy and tenderness that you will experience watching your baby grow and develop more than compensates for all the difficulties that are attributed to the period of late pregnancy.

In the next video, a gynecologist-endocrinologist gives advice on how to make pregnancy easier for women who want to give birth at 40.

For information about what a mother will have to face at the age of 40, see the video of clinical psychologist Veronika Stepanova.