Getting pregnant is the dream of many women. However, while some achieve this quickly, others are not able to or do not have this opportunity for many years. A pregnancy at 40, for example, is always synonymous with surprise, curiosity, and, above all, lots of questions. No matter the reason a woman decides to get pregnant later than usual, this is always a topic that raises many doubts. Is it really possible to get pregnant at 40? What are the risks? What precautions are necessary? We’ll answer these and many other questions in today’s article. Take a look!
Is it possible to get pregnant at 40?
The first issue we need to address here is whether it is really possible to get pregnant at 40 or even after that age. Many people believe that by this age, women are already entering menopause and, therefore, such a pregnancy would be impossible. However, even though some women may already show signs of menopause at 40, this period usually happens between 45 and 50, which means that the answer to this question is yes. If a woman is in perfect health, she can have a fairly smooth pregnancy even at this age.
However, it’s important to emphasize that getting pregnant after 40 is more difficult. This happens because, from age 30, a woman’s body already begins to decrease hormone production, including some essential for pregnancy, such as progesterone. This means that the older a woman is, the lower her chances of getting pregnant and the greater the risks if pregnancy does occur.
In recent years, we have seen an increasing number of women getting pregnant later, whether by choosing to focus on their career first or by making this decision years after what is considered usual. And this has actually been beneficial, as medicine has advanced a lot in this regard and nowadays the risks women face when getting pregnant after the age of 40 are considerably lower than those that existed 20 or 30 years ago.
What Are the Risks of Pregnancy After 40?
As we have made clear, a pregnancy after 40 can bring certain risks, both for the mother and the baby. Let’s discuss these two types of risks separately so you better understand why they exist and what you can do to prevent them from becoming a problem.
Risks for the Mother
One of the main risks of pregnancy after 40 that a woman may face is that her body is less adaptable to the changes that pregnancy brings. This means that an older woman might struggle a bit more than usual with weight gain, increased blood pressure, and, above all, the real hormone surge that occurs in a pregnant woman’s body.
These difficulties increase the risk of illnesses such as hypertension, gestational diabetes, and preeclampsia, for example, which can complicate the pregnancy. For these reasons, a pregnancy at 40 is considered a high-risk pregnancy.
Risks for the Baby
A pregnancy at 40 can also bring certain risks to the baby. Firstly, because at this age, the woman’s “healthiest” eggs have already been released, increasing the chances of having eggs with chromosomal abnormalities or genetic defects. Therefore, the chance of a baby having a syndrome is nearly 10 times higher than in a typical pregnancy.
Additionally, complications during pregnancy after 40 are much more common and chances of miscarriage or premature birth are also considerably higher.
Another point to mention is that the likelihood of having twins in any pregnancy after age 30 is greater. This occurs because a woman’s hormones start to change, resulting in irregularities in the menstrual cycle that can cause more than one egg to be released in the same month. Although this is not necessarily something negative, it is still a risk.
Necessary Care for a Healthy Pregnancy
Although pregnancy after 40 has its risks, taking certain precautions greatly helps prevent any kind of problem and makes this type of pregnancy as smooth and unique for the mother as any pregnancy should be. Some necessary precautions are:
- Consult a Doctor before trying to conceive
- Have a Specialized Prenatal Care
- Be aware of the Risks and Challenges
Let’s discuss each of these precautions in more detail and how they can help you.
Consult a Doctor before Trying to Conceive
Although we’ve already mentioned these risks here, it is only after a consultation with your doctor and having all the necessary exams that you’ll know exactly what condition your body is in for having a baby. It’s important to remember that age is just one of the factors for a pregnancy to be high-risk, and a woman’s lifestyle habits contribute a lot to pregnancy success. Therefore, consult your doctor and talk about your desire to get pregnant beforehand. This way, your perspective on the subject will certainly be richer and more conscious.
Have a Specialized Prenatal Care
When a woman is pregnant after 40, prenatal care is carried out differently, since special attention must be given to some aspects, mainly with regard to the baby’s development. This means that doctor appointments should be scheduled at shorter intervals than usual. In addition, the monitoring of the baby’s development must be more rigorous, following each step of the pregnancy and every change so that you and your doctor can make sure everything is okay.
Be aware of the Risks and Challenges
Another necessary precaution when it comes to pregnancy after age 40 is that both the woman and her partner need to be aware that this is a high-risk pregnancy. This means they must be psychologically prepared for all possible risks and the challenges such a pregnancy may bring. This is essential for avoiding surprises and for both to be able to deal with any disappointment that might occur.
Advantages of Getting Pregnant at 40
Getting pregnant after 40 does not only bring risks. This type of pregnancy also has its benefits and we need to mention them as well. One of the main ones is that a woman at this age is generally more mature and patient to deal with issues common with babies, which may be true challenges for younger women.
Moreover, it is more common for women at this age to have a more stable professional and financial life. This means she won’t have to worry as much about work issues and can give more attention to her baby. This is extremely positive for the child’s development and for the mother’s satisfaction as well.
Bringing a life into the world also means carrying a responsibility, so many people reflect for years before deciding whether to have a baby. And getting pregnant at 40 can be a woman’s choice. Due to lack of opportunity or simply by choice, it’s always something valid to consider. Of course, as we’ve made clear in this article, it is a high-risk pregnancy, which can be more prone to complications and requires more care than usual, but that does not mean – not at all – that a woman cannot have a child after 40. If this is your dream and you have this opportunity, even if you are a bit older, it’s important to be aware of the risks, take necessary precautions, and, above all, be conscious that this dream can come true.
