About this topic
More and more women are having babies at an older age. The risk of problems for older women may be higher after the age of 40. Older moms may be more at risk for diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart problems while pregnant. These health problems may affect the baby too. If you have diabetes and your blood sugar is high when you are pregnant, your baby may have problems. The baby may grow bigger than normal while inside of you. If blood supply to the baby changes, then the babys growth may not be as good. ‚
As a woman ages so do her eggs. Older eggs may be more likely to cause birth defects and growth delays. Older moms tend to have more: ‚
- Down syndrome babies
- Miscarriages
- Problems during labor and birth like early labor and bleeding problems
General
There are ways to help avoid these problems and lower risks such as: ‚
- Visit your doctor as soon as you decide to try and get pregnancy. If you have illnesses that are being treated, the doctor can make changes if needed before you get pregnant. Some drugs are not good to take when you are trying to get pregnant. Your doctor might change your drugs to ones safer for pregnancy.
- Ask your doctor about working with a genetics counselor. This counselor will ask questions about your family history, your age and health, as well as the fathers history. You will learn about the risks of different illnesses that you could pass on to your baby.
- See your doctor on a regular basis during your pregnancy and after the baby is born.
- If you are a smoker, stop smoking.
- Eat a healthy diet.
Talk with your doctor about tests that may be done while you are pregnant. These tests can tell you about the health of you and your baby. Tests may include: ‚
- Ultrasounds ¢ ˆ ’ Shows how the baby looks inside of you
- Amniocentesis ¢ ˆ ’ The doctor takes a small amount of fluid from around your baby. Results may show if the baby has any birth defects.
- Blood tests ¢ ˆ ’ To look for any birth defects
What will the results be?
You may avoid problems or have less problems while you are pregnant or as you give birth. ‚
What lifestyle changes are needed?
- Stay away from secondhand smoke.
- Talk to your doctor before taking any drugs, even over-the-counter drugs.
- If you have a cat, have someone else change the litter box. A germ in your cats litter may cause problems for the baby.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Give you more vitamins to help your baby grow.
Will physical activity be limited?
Ask your doctor about the right amount of exercise for you while you are pregnant. ‚
What changes to diet are needed?
- Drink lots of water.
- Avoid beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol). Alcohol may cause fetal defects and may hurt your babys growth.
- Try to eat every 3 hours while awake.
- Eat a healthy diet. Make sure that each meal has the right amount of nutrients and minerals that you and your baby need. You may ask your doctor to send you to a dietician.
- Avoid foods like:
- Raw meat
- Fish high in mercury like shark, swordfish, king mackerel, tuna, and tilefish
- Smoked seafood
- Raw shellfish like oysters, clams, and mussels
- Raw eggs and homemade foods made of raw eggs like mayonnaise
- Unpasteurized milk
What problems could happen?
- Loss of the baby
- Defects in the way the baby grows
- Baby is born early
- You get diabetes while pregnant. The diabetes most often goes away after the baby is born.
- You get high blood pressure while pregnant. Your blood pressure goes back to normal after the baby is born.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Vaginal bleeding
- Very bad belly pain or cramping
- You have any questions
Helpful tips
Let all your doctors know that you are pregnant. A lot of drugs and procedures are harmful for pregnant women. ‚
Where can I learn more?
American Pregnancy Association ‚
http://www.americanpregnancy.org/gettingpregnant/ttc35.html ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚