Pregnancy Amongst Older Women
Two weeks shy of her 50th birthday, singer/entertainer Janet Jackson confirmed she is pregnant with her first child. While the recent news is exciting for her family and fans, some are questioning is it even safe and healthy for her to carry a baby at her age. It is said that the average age a woman should be cautious about becoming pregnant is 35 and older. Well, it is clear to see that Janet Jackson is well over the average age, however she is not by herself when it comes to woman deciding to have babies at a later age.
According to research, “pregnancies among older mothers are on the rise in the United States.” Statistics shown by the CDC/NCHS, between 2000 and 2014, the proportion of births to mothers between the ages of 30 and 34 rose the most of any group, followed the births of mother over 35. So what does this mean as far as health is related, is it really safe for older women to continue on with the pregnancy? Studies have shown that older women may have a riskier pregnancy. For example, the risk of having a miscarriage is greater for a women over the age of 35 than a women at 25 years old.
Some women consider having an egg donor or consulting with a fertility doctor because women’s eggs decrease with age. What this potentially means is that there is a greater chance of birth defects which can be caused by chromosomal abnormalities. The reason why it can be highly recommended to consult with a fertility doctor. Now I know all of this talk can be scary to take in, but don’t be discouraged if you’re a woman in this age range considering having a baby. Even though it may be risky, it is possible to have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. The most important thing to take away is to always listen to what your doctor says. If the doctor tells you not to eat certain foods, then you probably shouldn’t eat it, or if it is recommended to add a light exercise daily to your routine or even to stop working until after you give birth, then you probably should listen. Whether it’s a little boy or girl, a healthy pregnancy and baby is what all women want after all.
