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This article was co-written by Lacy Windham, MD. Dr. Windham is a Board Certified Obstetrician & Gynecologist in Tennessee. She attended medical school at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis and completed her residency at East Virginia School of Medicine in 2010 for which she was awarded the Distinguished Residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Doctor of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Best Resident in Oncology and Best Resident Doctor.
There are 11 references cited in this article that you can view at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 21,351 times.
Many women decide to have a baby late, and many of them have had a healthy pregnancy. With increasingly advanced science and technology, older women are protected more and more safely than ever before. However, pregnancy at the age of 40 still carries many risks and complications for both mother and fetus. Preparing yourself before getting pregnant will put your body in the best condition for a healthy pregnancy.
Steps
See a doctor
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Schedule a consultation with your personal doctor or obstetrician. The older a person gets, the more likely they are to have health problems like high blood pressure or diabetes. Older women may also be more susceptible to problems that adversely affect the fetus.
- Your doctor will perform an exam and may perform a cervical cytology test as well as a pelvic exam. The exam usually takes no more than 15 to 20 minutes, but it’s also worth the time to talk to your doctor about your pregnancy. [1] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source
- Ask your doctor how to increase your chances of conceiving and what lifestyle changes you need to make to ensure a healthy pregnancy. Be honest when talking about your current lifestyle and try to get advice on lifestyle changes. [2] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source
- Discuss with your doctor which of these medications you can continue to take while you are trying to become pregnant, as well as during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Ask your doctor if alternative therapies or medicines are safe for your pregnancy, and given your medical history, whether these are really effective. [3] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source
- Work with your doctor to assess which health issues are most important to you before you get pregnant. Since some diseases like high blood pressure can get worse as you get older, it is essential to find solutions to control these problems. [4] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source
- Get vaccinated as advised by your doctor. Your doctor may run a blood test to check if you have antibodies to diseases like rubella or chickenpox. Wait a month after getting the vaccine before you try to conceive. [5] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source
- Your doctor may need to do tests to assess your ovarian reserve or the probability that a good egg will remain.
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Discuss the risk of gestational diabetes and high blood pressure. The risk of certain health-related problems during pregnancy increases with age. Discuss your risks with your doctor and see what you can do to limit them.
- Occasionally, high blood pressure can temporarily develop in pregnant women, and some studies show that this risk increases with age. Women of any age need to have their blood pressure checked regularly throughout pregnancy, so your doctor will try to make sure your blood pressure is within a manageable range. You may also need to take blood pressure medication during pregnancy to ensure a safe delivery. [6] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source
- Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that only occurs during pregnancy and is more common in older women. Untreated gestational diabetes can cause your baby to grow larger than normal, so it’s important to control your blood sugar with exercise, diet, and medication as needed if you’re diagnosed with gestational diabetes. this disease. [7] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source
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Carefully consider your birth options. A lot of women in their 40s are able to give birth vaginally. However, because pregnancy-related complications increase at this age, the likelihood of having a cesarean section also increases with age.
- Review a specific birth plan with your doctor and make sure you include the possibility of a cesarean section in this plan. If you have had a cesarean section, some doctors will not allow you to have a vaginal birth this time. Discuss any concerns you have with your doctor and state your birth wishes. [8] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source
- The older you get, the greater the stress of pregnancy. Problems related to high blood pressure and placenta during delivery will also increase with age. Your doctor needs to check your health carefully throughout your pregnancy. If your doctor thinks you’re at risk for birth complications, you’ll probably be asked to have a cesarean section. [9] X Research Source
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Consider fertility treatments. Conceiving a woman in her 40s can become more difficult, so you may need to consider fertility treatments. Talk to your doctor about your chances of getting pregnant while taking medication or having surgery.
- Oral medications, such as clomiphene or clomiphene citrate, are taken during the day, from the third to the seventh day or the fifth to the ninth day of the menstrual cycle. These drugs will increase the chances of ovulation. There is a 10% chance of having twins when using these drugs. The success rate of conception and delivery using the pill is 50%, but only if the user is not ovulating. These drugs do not actually increase the pregnancy rate if the user has already ovulated on their own. [10] X Research Source
- Gonadotropins and Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) are hormone injections used to increase the chances of pregnancy in older women. The injection will be administered after the first 2 to 3 days of the menstrual cycle and lasts from 7 to 12 days. You will need a transducer ultrasound during your medication to check the size of your eggs. The rate of multiple pregnancies when using this method is quite high. About 30% of women who conceive using hormone injections carry multiple pregnancies, and two-thirds of these are twins. [11] X Research Source
- If there is any damage to the reproductive system that makes it difficult to deliver, your doctor may perform surgery to correct the problem. If successful, the surgery will significantly increase your chances of conceiving. [12] X Research Source
Lifestyle Change
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Take control of any health problems before you get pregnant. If you have any health problems, make sure they are under control before you try to get pregnant.
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can interfere with your ability to conceive, so see your doctor to see if you’re at risk for any STIs. Most STIs can be effectively treated with antibiotics. Treat these conditions thoroughly immediately and do not try to conceive until you are completely cured. [13] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source
- If you’re taking medication for a chronic condition like hypothyroidism, it’s a good idea to have a pre-pregnancy blood test to make sure any problems are under control. You’ll need regular checkups throughout your pregnancy, and your doctor will also have to slowly change the dose of your medication. [14] X Research Source
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Start a healthier diet. Changing your diet is very important during pregnancy because you will need to increase your nutritional intake during pregnancy. Make sure you’re ready for a healthy diet.
- More than half of the grains you eat each day should be whole grains like whole barley, brown rice, whole wheat pasta, and whole wheat bread. You should also eat a variety of fruits and vegetables throughout your pregnancy. [15] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source
- Try to add protein, preferably from lean meats, nuts, eggs, and legumes. Fish is a good source of nutrients and protein, but you should avoid fish such as mackerel, shark, swordfish and sardines because they are high in mercury. [16] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source
- Dairy products also play an important role when you’re pregnant thanks to their rich calcium and Vitamin D content. If you cannot tolerate dairy products, consult your doctor about calcium supplements. [17] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source
- There are many foods that need to be completely restricted during pregnancy because they can harm the unborn baby. Raw and deli meats can contain toxins that are harmful to the unborn baby. Smoked seafood can also be a toxic food source. Any food that contains raw eggs or egg yolks can be harmful, so be sure to always eat fully cooked eggs. Soft cheeses such as Brie should be avoided as they are often made from unpasteurized milk. You should also reduce your caffeine intake during the first trimester. [18] X Research Sources
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Maintain a reasonable weight. If you are overweight or underweight, your doctor will want you to get your weight back to a healthy level before you get pregnant. Talk to your doctor about how to gain or lose weight in a healthy way, and work with him or her to develop a diet and exercise plan that works for you. [19] X Research Source
- Underweight is when your BMI is below 18.5, and overweight is when it is above 25. A BMI of 30 or more is considered obese. If you were underweight before pregnancy, you should gain more weight during pregnancy, and if you are overweight, you should gain less weight. Since it can be difficult to control your weight during pregnancy, it’s best to have a healthy weight before you get pregnant. [20] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source
- Being overweight during pregnancy increases the risk of gestational diabetes and high blood pressure. Meanwhile, being underweight can increase the risk of premature birth, and your body is not strong enough to support the fetus. [21] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source
- Please consult a nutritionist before pregnancy to achieve a reasonable weight, in proportion to your height. Discuss exercise and nutrition, as well as what lifestyle changes you need to make to stay at a healthy weight. [22] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source
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Avoid harmful substances. During pregnancy, you need to avoid smoking, alcohol and stimulant drugs, so even when planning to become pregnant, you should also limit all these substances. Minimize caffeine use as caffeine should only be used sparingly during pregnancy. If you are a coffee addict, try to cut back gradually before becoming pregnant to minimize the symptoms of caffeine deficiency. You should only have about 150 mg of caffeine a day, which is equivalent to two cups of coffee. [23] X Research Sources
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Practice. Exercising is not only safe, but even encouraged when you’re pregnant. There are many types of exercises that are safe for pregnant women that you should participate in before as well as during pregnancy.
- Aerobic exercises, increasing endurance and flexibility are very important for pregnant women. Walking, stationary biking, yoga, swimming and weightlifting are also very safe. However, every woman’s pregnancy is different, so discuss your health with your doctor before exercising. Your doctor may advise more or less exercises, depending on your overall health. [24] X Research Source
- When you exercise, your heart rate will increase rapidly, but if you are over 40, it is important to keep your heart rate at 125 to 140 beats a minute. You can measure your heart rate by checking your pulse in your neck or wrist and counting the number of beats over a 60-second period. [25] X Research Sources
- Be careful with exercises that involve lying on your back. These exercises can be dangerous for the fetus because the blood will be restricted. [26] X Research Source
Understanding the Dangers
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Risk of chromosomal disorders. The rate of chromosomal disorders in infants born to mothers over 40 years old will be higher than in other children. You need to be aware of this risk and be prepared to do the necessary tests related.
- An aneuploidy, a mutation in the number of chromosomes, tends to be more common with a woman’s age and can cause disorders such as Down Syndrome. Every woman has a certain number of eggs in her body, and healthier eggs tend to be released at a younger age. Eggs with the chromosomal mutation are usually released and fertilized around the age of 40. By age 40, the risk of Down Syndrome is 1 in 60 and this number continues to increase with age. [27] X Research Source
- There are many types of tests used to check for chromosomal mutations. A sample of amniotic fluid or placental cells may be used for the test. These types of tests may slightly increase the risk of miscarriage. There is now a new type of test that can be performed without harming the fetus, a simple blood test called the free DNA screening test, which can detect fetal abnormalities. [28] X Research Sources
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High risk of miscarriage. Miscarriage has the potential to cause profound harm, and this risk, including stillbirth or miscarriage, increases with age, especially when you’re over 40.
- Watch out for the risk of miscarriage before you try to get pregnant. Many women give birth to healthy babies in their 40s, but the risk of miscarriage due to pre-existing health conditions and hormone abnormalities is even more common. It is necessary to prepare mentally as well as emotionally when accepting this risk if it happens to you.
- If you’re over 40, it’s important to have a careful prenatal check-up throughout your pregnancy to help prevent a miscarriage. Talk to your doctor about any age-related risks and ask your doctor to increase your visits throughout your pregnancy. [29] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source
- In your 40s, the miscarriage rate increases to 33% and this number continues to increase as you age. By age 45, the miscarriage rate is 50%. Talk to your doctor about what you can do to avoid this risk. [30] X Research Source
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Understand that the chances of having a multiple pregnancy are high. Your chances of having twins or triplets also increase with age, especially if you use in vitro fertilization or fertility drugs to increase your chances of conceiving.
- You need to make sure you have enough money when you are pregnant with multiples. Equip yourself with knowledge about twins and triplets, including birth options. Many women with twins have to use caesarean section. [31] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source
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Patient. Conceiving when you’re over 40 can take longer. Eggs from older women are not as fertile as those of younger women, and can even take up to six months to conceive. If you are still unsuccessful after six months, consult your doctor. [32] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source
- The chance of having a multiple pregnancy depends on many factors, but certain fertility therapies can increase the odds. Hormonal injections increase the chance of having a multiple pregnancy by 30 percent, while oral medications also increase the chance of twins by 10 percent.
Warning
- If your family has a history of certain genetic diseases, you should also seek genetic counseling. A specialist will review your family situation as well as blood tests of you and your husband to assess your risk of disease.
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This article was co-written by Lacy Windham, MD. Dr. Windham is a Board Certified Obstetrician & Gynecologist in Tennessee. She attended medical school at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis and completed her residency at East Virginia School of Medicine in 2010 for which she was awarded the Distinguished Residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Doctor of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Best Resident in Oncology and Best Resident Doctor.
There are 11 references cited in this article that you can view at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 21,351 times.
Many women decide to have a baby late, and many of them have had a healthy pregnancy. With increasingly advanced science and technology, older women are protected more and more safely than ever before. However, pregnancy at the age of 40 still carries many risks and complications for both mother and fetus. Preparing yourself before getting pregnant will put your body in the best condition for a healthy pregnancy.
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