Getting pregnant after 40

Why Women Wait Until 40?

Career

Many women put off having a kid because of their employment and the rigours of the workplace. As you progress up the corporate ladder, your performance is expected to improve, and more work is handed to you. Getting pregnant is put to the bottom of your priority list as you go through the rigours of deadlines and submissions.

Financial Security

As a young couple, you plan your future and aspire to acquire a home to raise a family. A dual-income enables you to obtain better health insurance and medical services. You want to be financially secure to start your life; therefore, getting pregnant is put off until later. This is a practical method for preparing for the third person in your life.

Change in Home Locations

Moving to a new place for work or a change of address can need packing and moving belongings. You must assist in sorting out what you will bring and what you will discard while thinking of a million other things. Because you still have to settle in your new neighbourhood for the next few months, the stress of relocating is not a great time to become pregnant.

Relationship Issues

You and your partner may experience a difficult period in your relationship at times. Getting used to each other’s peculiarities and issues isn’t easy. It’s ridiculous to talk about becoming pregnant to start a family of three unless you commit to sorting things out. If you can’t resolve your differences sooner, I believe you don’t want your baby to witness them.

Biological Conditions at 40 Years and Older

According to the CDC, 30% of women between the ages of 40 and 44 see a reduction in infertility. Your chances of becoming pregnant drop as you get older because your body isn’t the same as it was in your 30s. According to studies, women’s fertility begins to diminish from the age of 32 and dramatically declines by 37.

Diabetes, hypertension, and autoimmune illness, to mention a few, all appear around the age of 40. At 40, the body that once carried a baby will have to work twice as hard to bring another life. The quantity and quality of the oocytes or eggs you carry decreases. You have a 25% probability of having healthy eggs when you are 40 years old. However, three years later, barely 1 percent of the population is still alive.

AFTER 40 & HAVE A HEALTHY PREGNANCY

Getting pregnant at 40 and having a healthy baby is achievable, and many women have done so. It all starts with self-care and providing your body with the vitamins and nutrients it requires. Here are some tips for keeping you and your baby healthy during pregnancy.

• Begin a healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet, adequate sleep, and the use of vitamin supplements.
• Visit your doctor and healthcare advisor frequently.
• Stopsmoking, drinking alcohol, consuming too much coffee, and abstaining from narcotics.

Medical scans and tests are required to track your pregnancy. Until you give birth, your doctor will monitor your blood pressure, general health, baby’s growth by stomach measurement, baby’s heartbeat, and movements at each visit. Be prepared to schedule a total of 8-10 prenatal appointments.

You’ll get a thorough blood test, urine test, cervical screening, vitamin D deficiency screening, and Down syndrome screening at your first antenatal visit. You’ll view your baby in an ultrasound between weeks 19 and 20. On weeks 26-27, you’ll need to do a diabetes screening for glucose tolerance.

You’ll get a blood test, an anti-D injection for RH negative blood type, and a pertussis vaccination in week 28. You’ll require a vaginal swab test for Group B strep (GBS) and another dose of anti-D injection if you’re RH negative at 34-36 weeks. They will also check the baby’s position and engagement in your uterus at this time. After that, there’s an exciting wait until your due date around weeks 40-41, when you’ll be able to hold your lovely baby for the first time.

Medically Assisted Ways To Get Pregnant at 40

If you have difficulty getting pregnant after six months, then you can opt for medically assisted procedures. The first step is to see the condition of your eggs and the sperm of your partner. You will undergo initial tests before proceeding to the different medical options.

• Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) to see if you are still producing eggs for pregnancy.
• Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) is the reproductive hormone that causes your egg and your partner’s sperm to develop and mature.

Once your egg and sperm counts are medically viable and healthy, you and your partner can consider the various alternatives accessible to you:

• Fertility Drugs aid in the successful ovulation of your eggs by assisting your hormones.
• Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) involves collecting eggs and storing them in a lab dish before injecting them into the uterus.
• Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), often known as artificial insemination, is a procedure that involves injecting sperm into the uterus.
• In Vitro Fertilization IVF) or assisted reproduction combines sperm and egg in a lab dish until a fully formed embryo or fertilized egg is generated, after which it is inserted into the ut

Risks on the Mother 

A 40-year-old woman’s pregnancy comes with its own set of risks. Keep in mind that the best course of action is to contact your doctor right away if you see anything unusual. You and your baby can avoid difficulties if you keep a close eye on your health. If a 40-year-old mother tries to become pregnant, she faces the following risks:

• Miscarriage
• Preeclampsia
• Premature Labor/ Birth
• Gestational Diabetes
• Hypertension or High Blood Pressures

Possible Negative Effects on the Baby

When you’re 40 or older, your eggs aren’t as healthy as they were in your 30s. During ovulation, there may be immature egg cells that grow due to stress on the DNA strands. If the baby survives the 40-50 percent likelihood of miscarriage, it may have a chromosomal defect or impairment.

Let me emphasize that, regardless of the circumstances, many mothers have given birth to healthy kids. A 45-year-old woman can have a perfectly normal kid even if she has a 1/35 risk of having a Down Syndrome baby. The following are some possible side effects for your baby but keep in mind that this is not a guarantee of how your kid will react.

• Down Syndrome
• Congenital Conditions
• Birth Defects
• Low birth weight

Benefits of Having a Baby at 40

I think back to my early twenties and my first work and realize how different my life is now. I am grateful for the stability I have at 40 years old, and I am confident that all of the efforts I will put into having a baby the second time around will be a wonderful experience. The difference between my first and second pregnancies is that I am emotionally prepared, financially secure, and want to focus on my family this time.

Emotionally Stable

A woman’s job and relationships have their highs and lows. She then realizes that something in her life is lacking. Some people will take a break and pursue a pastime. Others will tour the world, checking off destinations on their bucket list. However, many people will desire to work hard to get pregnant and start a family.

Financially Stable

Your career path is on the ascent, and you have job security after attaining success at work and demonstrating your valuable contribution to the organization. You now have a secure position in the company and a sizable financial account to show for your efforts. Your effort, sweat, and tears have gotten you to the point where you can afford to have a family.

Additional Family Time

As you become older, you notice that the people who matter most to you are heading in separate directions. This makes you want to spend more time with your family before it’s too late. You and your partner establish a more incredible bond when you decide to try for a kid. It’s a collaborative endeavour in which you both put your money, and every high and low is a part of your shared experience.

Final Thoughts

I’m hoping to get pregnant sooner rather than later as I write this piece. My husband and I recognize that the possibilities are slim, but science and technology can help us make it happen. And who knows, maybe in a few months I’ll write about the joys of being a mother for the second time around.

If you enjoyed this article, please do check out my other LIFESTYLE articles.

Thank you for reading!