You know what they say. Age is nothing but just a number. But when it comes to pregnancy age is a number that can matter. However, many healthy women over 35 have delivered healthy babies. So you need not worry. Just take some smart steps to ensure you and the baby remains healthy throughout.
If you have made it to the third trimester without complications, so far, so good! However, there are still some things you should be aware of before your bundle of joy arrives. And also some precautions need to be taken to ensure safety for both of you.
- Keep up with your doctor’s appointments. You need to check your blood pressure regularly. And any other prenatal checks that the doctor deems fit. Take your vitamin supplements regularly.
- Eat leafy green vegetables, fruits, beans, whole grain cereals, pulses. Load up on calcium-rich fruits and dairy.
- Keep your teeth healthy. Visit the dentist regularly. Having healthy teeth and gums lessens the chance of pre term birth and that of having a baby with low birth weight.
- Gain the appropriate amount of weight. Even obese women need to gain some weight during pregnancy. Gaining the appropriate amount of weight lessens the chance of your baby growing slowly and of pre term birth.
- Gaining appropriate amount weight reduces chances of high blood pressure and gestational diabetes.
- Exercise regularly. It helps you stay at a healthy pregnant weight, become stronger and ease off the stress. However, do review your exercise schedule with the doctor. They can advise you about how much are too much.
- Do not smoke or drink alcohol.
Understand the Risks
- Being older means your chances of conceiving need a boost. If you have used any such intervention, then chances are that you might have multiple pregnancies.
- Gestational diabetes is more common among older women. Therefore have a tight control over your diet and exercise. Sometimes medication is needed too. Gestational diabetes left untreated, can cause your baby to grow significantly large. This increase risk of injury during birth.
- High Blood Pressure that develops during pregnancy is also more common among older women. You might have to take medication, to avoid complications. If it goes too high your doctor might suggest inducing.
- Low birth weight of the baby and premature birth are both associated with older age of the mother. Both of these can lead to medical complications.
- Placenta previa – a condition where the placenta blocks the cervix is more common among older women. This might mean you would have to undergo a C-section.
- The risk of chromosome abnormalities in higher in babies born to older mothers. Like Down’s Syndrome.
- The risk of pregnancy loss by miscarriage and stillbirth increases as you get older. This could be because of pre existing medical conditions or fetal chromosomal abnormalities.Do not make a big deal about being 35. But there are some risks that are discussion worthy here.
You can defy all these risks and come out a winner with a healthy baby in arms as long as you take care of the basics. Be healthy and happy and be blessed with a healthy baby.