When Is It Too Late To Get Pregnant?
Women who reach menopause later have a lower risk of heart disease, osteoporosis, and dementia.
Does having late menopause mean it’s a good idea to get pregnant at a later age? Are there other risks and complications associated with pregnancy and childbirth from age 40? See more on this subject below.
the influence of age
A woman’s reproductive capacity has a finite life. A woman’s eggs initially grow when she is in her mother’s womb and are stored inside her ovaries until she begins to menstruate.
Every month, more than 400 eggs are lost to wear. This happens until the 4 million that the woman originally had at birth are gone. When this occurs, menopause begins.
Financial and social pressures make many women who want to have children postpone this moment in their lives.
Growing up professionally or having a better economic situation is what usually makes women want to wait to increase their family. About 1 in 1000 births have mothers aged 45 and over.
The risks of having a baby at an old age
Women over 30 are twice as likely to develop pre-eclampsia during pregnancy as pregnant women under 30.
In addition, a pregnant woman over the age of 30 is more likely to have gestational diabetes than those women who become pregnant earlier.
More than half of women over 40 may need a C-section for the baby to be born. Increasing maternal age increases the risk of experiencing problems during childbirth.
Mothers in their 40s and 50s are also 3 to 6 times more likely to have health problems (such as heavy bleeding) in the six weeks following the birth of their baby.
In addition, pregnant women over 40 years of age may be more likely to have their babies develop problems in the womb or even have stillbirth. The risk of miscarriage in women over 40 is also greater.
But while these odds exist, there are also 40-year-old mothers who give birth to wonderful, totally healthy babies.
It is also worth noting that babies of mothers over 40 are twice as likely to be born prematurely (before 36 weeks of gestation) and also to be born with low birth weight.
Thus, both premature birth and low birth weight represent immediate risks for babies and also later problems of lung development, diabetes or obesity in adulthood.
How long is it safe to get pregnant?
Although there is no specific age limit for IVF treatment, many clinics choose not to treat women over 50 years of age. At 30, the chance of conceiving naturally (without IVF) is approximately 20%.
At age 40 it is approximately 5% and this decreases over each decade. There is no specific age, but some factors must be considered.
There are studies that show how the risks for the baby and the mother are lower in the 20s. At this age, there is less chance of suffering from obesity and diabetes, which negatively influence pregnancy for health.
As a woman ages, her egg quality also decreases. Poor quality is directly associated with genetic errors, such as miscarriages and birth defects.
It’s a personal decision
Being a mother sooner or later is a personal decision that people must make for the good of themselves and the family they want to raise.
Thanks to advances in the IVF industry, it is possible for a woman with menopause to become pregnant. Even if it poses big risks . In pregnancy in women after menopause, they can increase the chances of suffering a cerebrovascular problem in the future.
For all these reasons, there is no age limit for being a mother. But it is necessary to take into account the possible complications that may exist. Because, the main objective, certainly, is not to put at risk the health of the mother and/or baby.
So, think carefully what your current situation is and if you really want to be a mother now or later. If you need guidance, don’t hesitate to consult your doctor. Without a doubt, he is the right professional to answer all your questions.
