Midlife Pregnancy
3:27 PM Posted by Administrator
- Being informed on the path to parenting:
- The first thing you need to do to become a midlife mommie is to get pregnant .
- Unfortunately as women get older infertility can become a problem.
- Ectopic pregnancy is more common in women over the age of forty.
- The rate of miscarriage is higher for older women, seek support if you need it.
- Genetic testing testing can ease the fears. of not having a normal child.
- Finding out the sex makes it easier to plan ahead.
- More cesearean sections sections are performed on older moms.
Infertility and You
Infertility can be a touchy subject for women trying to conceive.
According to a national organization on infertility called Resolve," Infertility is a disease or condition of the reproductive system often diagnosed after a couple has had one year of unprotected, well-timed intercourse, or if the woman has been unable to carry a pregnancy that results in a live birth".
Many couples have a hard time admitting they might have an infertility problem. Infertility is nobody's fault, but some people are more prone to having problems conceiving than others.
Most gynecologists will want you to try for around a year before testing, but if you have had trouble with your periods or your partner has a low sperm count you might want to seek help sooner.
It's helpful to remember that you are not alone, 20% of children are now born to women over the age of thiry five. Seek the support of women who have had fertility problems and use their advice.
Ectopic Pregnancy..What is it?
An ectopic pregnancy happens when you conceive but the fertilized egg implants itself somewhere other than the uterus . Around 95% of the time the misplaced implantation occurs in the fallopian tube, usually due to scar tissue from previous pelvic infections.
The major health risks from ectopic pregnancy come from internal bleeding. Before detection methods improved, many women died from an ectopic pregnancy.
If you are in the early stages of pregnancy, look for bleeding, dizziness, or pelvic pain as symptons to be concerned about. This is serious stuff and can prevent your chances of having a healthy pregnancy later on.
Miscarriage..feeling the loss
Finally making it to the pregnancy stage and having it end in a miscarriage is tragic loss. The risks for miscarriage increase with age. Women between the ages of 35 -44 have a 21% chance of miscarriage. That jumps to 50% over the age of 45.
There are various newsgroups and mailing lists on the internet that offer support for those who have gone through a miscarriage.
Genetic Testing
Women over the age of thirty-five have an increased chance of carrying a fetus with chromosomal abnormalities. Genetic testing can help ease some of the fears that older women have when they get pregnant.
The two most commonly performed tests are anmioncentesis and CVS. Anmio is usually performed 14-16 weeks into the pregnancy and takes about three weeks to get the results.
CVS can be performed earlier, 10-11 weeks into the pregnancy but has a slightly higher risk of miscarriage.
What Does It Show
Genetic tests can help determine if there are specific genetic problems in the fetus. The most common is Down 's syndrome, but tests for Tay-Sachs disease,cystic fibrosis and sickle cell anemia can be performed if their is a family history of these conditions.
An added benefit is the ability to find out the sex of your baby. Some parents choose not to take this option and wait for the birth.
It can make it easier to plan ahead and tell people what to get you for gifts.
Having a C Section
Statistics show more cesearean section deliveries are performed on older moms. The main drawback is a longer hospital stay and recovery time than with a vaginal birth. It can however be a lifesaving procedure for both the mother and infant.
C sections are generally performed when the baby is breech (feet first) or the mother has other health complications. Many women feel disappointed if they are unable to have "natural childbirth" or at least a vaginal birth.
The miracle remains the same..nurturing a life inside your body and bringing someone into the world, is cause for celebration, regardless of which route you take.
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