How to get pregnant after 40 years: planning, risks, pros and cons

Modern women forget a little about their original purpose - procreation and postpone their pregnancy until the age of 40. Although medicine believes that today you can get pregnant at any age, women experience problems associated with many factors.

We bring to your attention useful information on how to get pregnant after 40. We will discuss the possibilities of successfully bearing a child at this age, and also talk about the means that will help with this.

Pros and cons of late pregnancy

For whatever reasons, pregnancy and childbirth are postponed, sooner or later a woman begins to think about a child, and then the question arises about the pros and cons of pregnancy at 40.

According to medical statistics, timely registration and constant monitoring of the condition of the mother and child makes it possible to give birth to a healthy baby.

Pros:

Psychological readiness for motherhood . Pregnancy at 40 is usually planned, and the expectant mother patiently endures all the hardships of this condition (constant visits to doctors, fatigue, toxicosis), and is meticulous about her health.
Financial position . At a more mature age, a woman already has “ground under her feet” and consciously takes this step.
Strong marriage . Relationships that have been tested over the years are an important component in the proper upbringing of children. Statistics show that a considerable proportion of marriages break up due to an unplanned pregnancy, when young people are not ready to become parents. At a more mature age, the family is already established, the spouses know each other well, have managed to live for themselves and are ready to raise a child together.
Update . Doctors believe that during pregnancy, the body rejuvenates, the production of sex hormones increases, which has a positive effect on a woman’s appearance. A child in adulthood is an incentive for parents.

Despite all the positive aspects of pregnancy and childbirth at 40, there are a number of factors that can darken a woman’s joyful expectations. But if you eliminate them in time, you can avoid unpleasant consequences.

Minuses:

The biological clock . After 30 years, the reproductive system begins to gradually fade away and the ability to get pregnant decreases every year. Irreversible processes occur in the reproductive organs, the functioning of the ovaries is disrupted, the number of active eggs decreases, so many women ask the question - how to get pregnant after 40? In addition, the older the man, the less chance of successful fertilization. However, experts state that the age at which menopause occurs is increasing. If previously the menopause began after 40, now a woman’s reproductive system functions up to 50, and sometimes even 53 years.
Risk of genetic abnormalities . Eggs do not have the ability to renew themselves, but can accumulate all the negative information that they received during the life of the expectant mother. As a result, there is a possibility that the child will receive an insufficient number of chromosomes or an excess of them. The risk doubles if someone in the family has such abnormalities. One of the most well-known chromosomal abnormalities is Down syndrome.
Long-term recovery after childbirth . Pregnancy and childbirth at 40 require maximum effort and physical health. Since the work of all organs and systems is at the stage of slow decline, the recovery process may be delayed.
Risk of complications. With age, the likelihood of complications increases, such as ectopic pregnancy, gestosis, oxygen starvation of the fetus, etc.
Psychological aspects . In addition to the fact that many women themselves doubt the correctness of their decision to get pregnant after 40 years, society puts pressure on them. Friends don’t understand, the employer is shocked, and even the gynecologist whom the expectant mother consults may behave incorrectly and blame her for her late pregnancy. The main thing is to remember that these are all nothing more than stereotypes.

What needs to be done before conception?

Everyone knows that the number of eggs in the female body is limited, and their number gradually decreases every year. The process becomes most active after 37 years. Studies show that after 40 years of age the possibility of getting pregnant decreases to 50%; after 43 years of age the rate drops to 2%.

To reduce these indicators, you need to do the following:

First, future parents need to undergo a full examination. Tests will show hidden infections that you may not even be aware of;
It is necessary to stop dieting, as well as the use of strong physical activity;
Start performing a set of physical exercises to strengthen your back and abdomen. Increase the amount of time you spend outside;
90 days before conception, completely give up all alcohol and cigarettes. Both partners must do this;
Eliminate junk food and caffeine from your diet;
Start taking vitamin complexes;
Minimize stressful situations.

After all this, if you cannot get pregnant, you need to consult a specialist for advice and further examination.

Planning a pregnancy at 40

If you are planning a pregnancy after 40, then the first thing you need to do is visit a doctor, get tested and find out what the health status of the future parents is.

Carrying a child is a colossal burden on the body, and at this time chronic diseases can worsen, threatening the health of not only the mother, but also the fetus.

The father of the unborn baby must also undergo a detailed examination. In men, even such a harmless pathology as a gum infection can cause failure to conceive.

Breastfeeding after 40

An issue that greatly worries older women in labor is breastfeeding. Indeed, even the most ideal formula does not provide optimal nutrition, and breast milk is very valuable for the baby. And of course, a mother who approaches the birth of a child responsibly cannot help but be interested in the issues of organizing feeding.

Meanwhile, the quantity and quality of breast milk depends more on health and genes than on age. It happens that lactation is not established at the age of 18, and there are cases where an older mother breastfed twins. In any case, if there is too little milk, you should not blame yourself and follow the lead of well-wishers who blame age for everything.

It is much wiser to follow all the advice of an obstetrician and neonatologist in order to stimulate lactation, drink more fluids, put the baby to the breast, and supplement with formula feeding only after feeding. Recommendations for breastfeeding are common to all women in labor, and worrying about the amount of milk is equally unwelcome at any age.

The question of supplementary feeding with formula, if necessary, should be discussed with a pediatrician - each baby develops individually, and you need to focus on the state of health, weight gain, the presence of pathologies and allergies. In general, allergies occur a little more often in later children, so a qualified doctor should select a formula for supplementary feeding or artificial feeding of the baby.

How to get pregnant at 40

The state of the reproductive system at this age makes it quite possible to become pregnant and bear a completely healthy baby. Of course, it may happen that pregnancy at 40 does not occur the first time, but this is possible at 30 and at 20. It has little to do with age.

How to get pregnant at 40? Do you need to do IVF and check the patency of the fallopian tubes? Don't rush into such drastic methods. Everything is much simpler.

When is the best time to plan to conceive?

The most likely time is the 14th day from the start of the menstrual cycle, although this is ideal. In reality, many factors influence the optimal time for conception. It is especially difficult to determine the day when your periods become irregular.
The second important point is the updated material, meaning male sperm.

To give birth to a healthy baby, it is better to abstain from sexual intercourse a few days before ovulation.

The most successful day for conception is the time of ovulation or a couple of days before it, since it has been proven that sperm live in a woman’s body for up to four days. All this once again confirms that there is still a chance of getting pregnant after 40 years.

How is childbirth at 40?

Based on the woman's age, many doctors recommend delivery by cesarean section. But surgical intervention is not always justified. When a woman is preparing for childbirth, is healthy and has no contraindications, natural childbirth is quite possible.

Moreover, natural childbirth has a more favorable effect on both the child and the mother. A woman who gives birth naturally will experience lactation faster, while with surgical intervention it may not occur at all. Recovery after childbirth is also much faster than after surgery.

On the other hand, with age, the likelihood of multiple pregnancies and malpresentation of the fetus increases. In this case, without a doubt, a caesarean section is necessary.

Second trimester

— II screening is carried out at the usual time. If possible, the second screening should be carried out in institutions where there is expert-class ultrasound diagnostics (perinatal centers, medical and genetic consultations). There are late-detected fetal developmental defects, and in order to diagnose them, a high-resolution ultrasound machine and qualified interpretation by a doctor of ultrasound diagnostics are necessary.

— amniocentesis after 15 weeks is carried out according to cumulative indications (age of mother and father, presence in the family of cases of birth of children with malformations and chromosomal syndromes, etc.). - continue taking multivitamin complexes for pregnant women (Elevit Pronatal, Femibion Natalcare II), iodine preparations (if it is not included in the multivitamins)

3. Third trimester

— III screening is carried out at the usual time at the place of residence. — the choice of medical facilities for childbirth is carried out in advance, hospitalization in the pregnancy pathology department is carried out according to indications.

What are the risks of pregnancy at 40?

Undoubtedly, being a mother is wonderful, but there are a number of dangers that can await a woman who decides to take this step at such a mature age. Pregnancy and childbirth at 40 are considered a risk group for the possibility of complications.

Risk for women:

Exacerbation of long-forgotten diseases. The load on the body doubles during gestation, and this can contribute to the exacerbation of chronic diseases. Diseases of the kidneys and cardiovascular system are of particular concern.
Miscarriage. The risk of miscarriage after 40 years reaches 33%. This is due to the aging of the eggs and changes in the structure of the uterus.
Multiple births. In women who decide to give birth at an older age, the number of cases of twin births is much higher than the number of multiple pregnancies in younger women. And this is an additional burden on a weakened body.
Development of diabetes. Diabetes mellitus develops in every tenth pregnant woman, and the risk of developing the disease increases with age. Gestational diabetes mellitus develops as a result of active hormonal changes. Mild forms of diabetes do not manifest themselves in any way. The first signs of more severe forms are a feeling of thirst and excessive urination. GDM is dangerous because it contributes to the development of late toxicosis. If this disease is detected, throughout pregnancy it is necessary to adhere to a diet that excludes easily digestible carbohydrates.
Preeclampsia (preeclampsia). Preeclampsia is a serious complication of pregnancy, occupying a leading position among the causes of maternal mortality. Preeclampsia appears only in the later stages. The main symptoms of the disease are increased blood pressure, swelling and the appearance of protein in the urine. Increased blood pressure causes the expectant mother to experience headaches, nausea, and vomiting. Swelling and protein in the urine indicate impaired kidney function. In severe cases, seizures may occur.
Placenta previa is a condition in which the placenta moves into the lower parts of the uterus and partially or completely covers the cervix. In late pregnancy, this condition can lead to bleeding.
Premature placental abruption. One of the causes of premature placental abruption is considered to be gestosis.
The occurrence of complications during childbirth - weak labor, the risk of rupture of the birth canal due to loss of elasticity.

Risk to the child:

Genetic abnormalities. The most common pathology is trisomnia. Mutation of eggs occurs due to exposure to negative factors on the body. After 40, the risk of having a child with disabilities increases every year.
Hypoxia during childbirth. The development of complications in the mother, such as weak labor, premature placental abruption, can lead to both temporary hypoxia and fetal asphyxia.
Premature birth. Birth between 28 and 37 weeks is called preterm. Children born prematurely require additional care and are more susceptible to pathogenic microflora.
Underweight. Hypertension and problems with the cardiovascular system can cause the birth of a child with low birth weight.

Despite all the possible risks, a woman who decides to give birth at an older age has every chance of giving birth to a healthy, strong baby. To do this, she needs to listen to her body as best as possible, visit the doctor more often and lead a healthy lifestyle.

How to prepare?

The issue of preparing for late pregnancy is increasingly becoming relevant. After 40, Hollywood divas, politicians and businesswomen give birth. The second and third pregnancies are planned by women who have finally reached the desired standard of living or who have felt the distance between their matured first-borns. In any case, conscious planning of pregnancy in adulthood allows you to almost completely avoid complications.

The expectant mother needs to pay attention to dental health, cure existing gynecological diseases, especially endometriosis and ovarian cysts, together with the expectant father, give up nicotine and alcohol, reduce the amount of coffee, sleep more and walk more often. Green vegetables rich in folic acid will be beneficial - for normal brain development in the unborn baby, boiled fish and lean meat, fruits, berries, and cereals.

Mothers with negative Rh should undergo a consultation at a family planning center and have their pregnancy managed by the same doctor who examined her. Such a measure is necessary to reduce the risk of fetal rejection and premature birth.

Before planning a pregnancy, women with menstrual irregularities should have their thyroid gland and adrenal glands examined, have an ultrasound of the pelvic organs, and if diseases are detected, treat them to eliminate hormonal fluctuations that negatively affect the course of pregnancy.

It must be remembered that conceiving a child after 40 is more difficult, and you should not be upset if the test does not show the coveted two lines in the first 2-3 months. To achieve pregnancy, you may need to take a joint vacation to a sanatorium, take a new honeymoon, or even undergo an IVF procedure.