Fertility expert elaborates on the pros & cons
It is getting more common for women to plan pregnancy in their late 30s or early 40s. However, at 40, the fertility rate among women starts declining, thereby limiting their ovarian eggs, making it hard to conceive naturally. Although women can enjoy a healthy pregnancy at 40, the odds of getting pregnant are less. Also, some women face “n” number of complications that might be inevitable with advancing age, according to Dr. Aindri Sanyal, Fertility Consultant at Nova IVF Fertility East. Several factors affect the decision of men and women to opt for late pregnancy. Conceiving a child later in life can result in several challenges as well as benefits for the parents. Getting pregnant at 40 can be beneficial : As you age, you become more financially independent, which can provide stability to your child.
This is when you start feeling more comfortable in a relationship and feel that you want to have a baby with the person you love. With more life experience, parenting becomes much easier for you as you can make better choices. It also promotes gender equality as women have the right to decide when to conceive a child since it is their body. Women also have the right to create their identities beyond just motherhood. Therefore, this is the best time to start a family as you may have already achieved most of your dreams and goals. Smoking and drinking alcohol at this age is uncommon among women. Also, in case of infertility issues, assisted reproductive technologies (ART) can help you conceive a baby in the late 30s or early 40s. Pregnancy at 40 involves many risks : Older women are more likely to face complications during pregnancy and childbirth. With advancing age, women can suffer from diabetes, hypertension, heart problems which can aggravate during pregnancy. Many of these complications are common among women at this age, but it does not mean that you will face them too. However, you must be aware of the potential risks involved before planning a baby. Mental & physical abnormalities among babies : The ovarian eggs among women start declining after the age of 37, which leads to DNA breakdown. This can cause several chromosomal abnormalities among children who can suffer from abnormalities like Down’s Syndrome. However, many advanced medical technologies can detect birth defects before birth. Miscarriages and stillbirth are more common : The risk of miscarriages is higher in pregnancies after 40 years of age.
During this time, women must be on bed rest and extra care of necessary from their partners, families, and doctors. Women in their 40s are also likely to have a stillbirth than women in their early 30s. You must monitor your baby’s movements regularly. The risk of stillbirth increases, especially after the due date. If you feel that the movements have slowed down, contact your doctor immediately or go to a maternity unit. Mental health concerns among women : Women who use fertility treatments for conceiving a child are at a higher risk of anxiety and depression. At 40, pregnant women are more likely to suffer from physical complications, making them vulnerable to many mental health issues. Older mothers can also face depression as raising children can disrupt a normal lifestyle for which they might not be physically ready. Chances of pregnancy at 40 : The chances of getting pregnant at 40 are meager since the fertility rate in older women starts declining. Not all women can conceive naturally in the late 30s or early 40s due to which they can go for ART such as IVF, IUI, etc. The chances of getting pregnant with these advanced technologies are higher now. If ovarian eggs are not viable, couples can opt for donor eggs. Apart from these, the best way to ensure a healthy pregnancy is to follow a good lifestyle. If you get pregnant at any age, make sure that you do exercise regularly, eat a balanced diet, quit smoking or drinking alcohol, and manage weight. While planning a baby, couples must also keep in mind the age of men as the quality and production of sperms starts declining with advancing age.