In this modern age, many women now choose to wait to have children until after 30. This choice comes with women having more independence than ever before. Sometimes the choice to wait is based on establishing a career and being financially sound first, other times it can be due to not finding the right partner or other reasons that are unique to this day and age. Whatever the case, pregnancy after 30 comes with its challenges.
We are past the point when girls were expected to grow up, get married, have a family and stop at that.
Pregnancy After 30 Risk Factors
Although the benefits of this new age of choice are many, with it also comes plenty of risk factors. Child birth over the age of 30 has the risk of increased complications, and is considered to be a high risk pregnancy.
Rush University Medical Center states chromosomal abnormalities such as Down Syndrome to be one of the biggest risks, with chances of having a Down Syndrome baby jumping from 1 in 1,100 when a mother is between ages 25 and 29, to 1 in 350 when she is 35.
Largely attributed to this increase in chromosomal abnormalities is also the occurrence of more miscarriages in this age group than with younger women.
According to Health & Lifestyle Magazine, other potential health issue for women associated getting pregnant in their 30s, include heart disease, high blood pressure, and kidney problems.
Diabetes is also commonly associated with this type of pregnancy, as well as an increased risk of breast cancer later in life. Although, Womenshealth.gov says that breastfeeding will help to decrease the threat of breast cancer.
Proper prenatal care is a highly important aspect to the safety of mother and child with any pregnancy, but especially so in the instance of a pregnancy over age 30.
It Isn’t All Doom and Gloom
In any case, women are still making the choice to have children after age 30, and many of these mothers and their children are still healthy and happy. Well-known women have taken the stage in becoming mothers later in life, and everyday women have become celebrities in doing so.
The good news is that when a baby is born in a state of normal health, it is unlikely to have any more complications than a child of a younger woman.
Many women are saying that a settled lifestyle that comes with age is more conducive to raising a family at this time than in younger years.
Other Possible Benefits of Having a Baby Later in Life
- Boost your brain power
- The child may have a reduced risk of injury
- Parents may be more prepared emotionally
- The child is likely to be more tech-savvy and better educated
- Parents may be more financially stable
- Parents may live even longer
What Can Women Do to Increase Pregnancy After 30?
- Aim for a healthy weight – speak with their doctor or nurse to understand what is a healthy weight range
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet
- Take folate and iodine supplements as directed by a doctor
- Do regular, moderate exercise
- Relax- do yoga, meditate
- Avoid alcohol, drugs and smoking