Pregnancy After Forty

These days, many women are putting off pregnancy to later age due to several reasons including relationship concerns and career. However, the odds of getting pregnant are much lower as women age, and after 45, it is practically impossible to get pregnant with own eggs. Getting pregnant after 40 can be quite discouraging and daunting task form many women as there are many misconceptions regarding starting a family late in life. Some of the problems due to late conception could be caesarian delivery, inability to conceive due to reduced fertility, complications during delivery and so on.


Though there are several dangers and complications associated with late pregnancy, there are many women who have countered all the roadblock to have a baby in the later stages of their lives. At this age, the fertility rates of women are much lower, and if after many attempts, the woman is not able to conceive, the couple should consider other options. The main area of concern if trying to become pregnant after 40 is the higher chances of genetic disorders such as Down syndrome. After the age of 40, the rate of miscarriage increase to about 25%.


Some of the other risks associated with late pregnancy are giving birth to a baby with low birth weight, complications during delivery and several illnesses that can affect fetus and the new mother. Symptoms of pregnancy for older women are quite similar to those of pregnant woman of lesser age, and many women confuse it with early menopause. Some of the symptoms of both pregnancy and menopause are missed periods, fatigue, mood swings, frequent urination or incontinence and tender and painful breasts. Aged women have positive perceptions of their bodies, and can tolerate the symptoms of pregnancy more easily.


Women who get pregnant after the age of forty also are at the higher risk of bearing the child with genetic abnormalities. Most common genetic problem is Down syndrome, and additional tests must be done to determine if the fetus has any kind of genetic abnormality or not. There are also emotional benefits for couples who wait to have children as they are more focused on their children. For women becoming pregnant after 40, chances of developing the health problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes and preeclampsia pregnancy are higher.


Age of partner can also affect the fertility, and though men can father a child even in their forties and fifties, the quality of sperm deteriorates quite significantly.