Pregnant Over Age 35 - What Are The Medical Risks?

These days it seems common for women to get pregnant when they are either in or close to middle age (age 40). Although there are a variety of reasons for this, the truth is that there are medical risks for pregnant women who are older than 35. This article outlines some of those risks.

Not every woman over the age of 35 will have to deal with medicals risks, but they do exist, so it is best to be prepared. Fertility starts to decrease in the 30s, so just getting pregnant may be difficult. But, once pregnant, the chances for a miscarriage or birth defects goes up greatly the older a woman gets.

Miscarriage can, and does, happen at any age. However, research has shown that age plays a major role in the chances of miscarrying. According to the March of Dimes, the chance of miscarrying at any given age range is as follows (the percentages are approximate):

- 10% for women in their 20s

- 20% for women 35-39

- 35% for women 40-44

- 50% for women 45 and older

Just as with miscarriage, the risk of birth defects also goes up with a woman's age. Downs Syndrome, which is a chromosomal birth defect, is the most common (and well-known) birth defect for children born to women over age 35. Below are the chances for birth defects, as documented by the March of Dimes, based on a woman's age:

- 1 in 1,250 for women age 25

- 1 in 1,000 for women age 30

- 1 in 400 for women age 35

- 1 in 100 for women age 40

- 1 in 30 for women ate 45

- 1 in 10 for women age 49

As you can see from the above chart, the older a woman is when pregnant, the great the chance of her baby having a birth defect. Pregnant women have the option of doing genetic testing, which can determine if unborn babies have birth defects. There are risks associated with these tests, though. Although uncommon, there have been false positives, which can cause parents to take actions they wouldn't have otherwise taken. Or, also uncommon, miscarriage can be caused.

Multiple births is another risk of being pregnant over the age of 35. Older women are known to release more than one egg, which is the reason for the increase in multiple births. Being pregnant with multiple babies will likely cause a woman to be on bed-rest, to help the babies grow to full-term (or as close to full-term as possible).

It is important for any woman over age 35 who wants to get pregnant to be aware of the risks involved, both to their babies and to them. Whether already pregnant or trying to get pregnant, it is important that women who are 35 and older discuss all risks and options with their doctors, so they can be as informed as possible during this exciting time.

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10 Tips For A Healthy Pregnancy Diet Plan

When you are pregnant you may feel that you are eating for two. This does not mean that you should fill up on junk food or everything that you can get hold of. You need to supply your baby with all the vitamins and nutrients to enable them to grow and develop properly. Here are my ten top tips to help you stick to a healthy pregnancy diet plan.

1. The amount of salt in your diet needs to be monitored. Try to avoid too much salt when cooking at home, or if you are buying ready meals pay close attention to the nutritional values on the packaging.

2. Foods that have a high level of saturated fats should not form part of your diet. Try and search for healthier foods with no such fats. Also a lot of food can have little or no nutritional value, normally junk food. Sure this may be filling but you will get no benefit from these foods whatsoever.

3. Ensure that you have plenty of vegetables in your diet plan. You can do this simply by serving a good portion of veggies with every meal. There are many different recipes for vegetables so you can keep it interesting too.

4. Ensuring that you have the correct amount of vitamins in your diet is essential. If you feel that your diet does not supply the required dosage then incorporate more foods that will. As an alternative option you could always take vitamin supplements, but be cautious and select vitamins that are suitable for pregnant women.

5. You do not have to change your diet radically, or start to eat bizarre combinations, just be sensible. Instead of going for snacks or chips try going for some fruit or vegetable crudites instead.

6. Not all fats are bad for you. In fact your baby actually needs some. Try and incorporate these healthy fats into your food intake when planning your meals.

7. Ensuring you get enough fruit in your diet is important. Fruit contains many of the essential vitamins and nutrients that you and your baby require. Try taking fruity snacks with you in your bag for when you are feeling peckish. These will be better for you than sweets or chocolate.

8. Try and increase the amount of whole foods that you eat. This is items such as beans, pulses and grains. There are many tasty recipes that use these ingredients and i am sure you will find something that you like.

9. Water is one of the most important things you can have during your pregnancy. Your body must be hydrated at all times, so be sure to drink enough as recommended.

10. Now is definitely not the time to embark on crash diets. You will be putting some weight on due to the baby growing inside you, this is perfectly normal. If you are concerned about your weight then you should speak to a medical professional who will advise you on your options.

Not eating enough can be as harmful as eating too much. Remember eating the right foods that have a good nutritional value is the key factor. You may have to make some changes to your diet, but for the sake of your health and your baby's then it has got to be worthwhile.

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How Can I Get Pregnant? A Common Sense Approach

Getting pregnant is one of the easiest things for most couples. Many couples even struggle with unwanted pregnancies. Unfortunately, a small percentage of couples have trouble getting pregnant. 'How can I get pregnant?' is the question that is top most in the minds of many women who have trouble getting pregnant. If you are one of them, there are a few things that you can do to help you get pregnant.

How Can I Get Pregnant

1. Learn to predict ovulation

A series of consecutive events leads to conception. First, an egg is released from your ovary every month when the pituitary gland stimulates the ovaries through certain hormones. The egg then travels through one of the fallopian tubes towards the uterus. This is the best time to have sex. In order to be able to predict the time of ovulation, keep track of the day on which your period commences every month, and how long it lasts. If you have a normal 28-day cycle, then your ovulation is most likely to begin 14 days after the last day of your period. In other words, ovulation occurs roughly in the middle of your 28-day cycle.

Just prior to ovulation, your body would produce a vaginal secretion that is clear and slippery, almost like the white of an egg. You basal body temperature would also increase slightly. Plotting your temperature taken every morning using a special basal body temperature thermometer can help you recognize a repeating pattern every month. You can also use an over-the-counter ovulation prediction kit which tests for a surge in the level of hormones in the urine just before ovulation. Using any or all of these methods, you can predict the time of ovulation which is the best time for you to have sex.

2. Things you need to do maximize fertility

· Have sex regularly, at least twice or thrice a week so that you cover all periods of your monthly cycle, including the most fertile period closest to ovulation. Try to have sex daily before the ovulation period.

· Have a healthy lifestyle. Eat a balanced, healthy diet and include a moderate level of physical activity. Manage stress levels and limit your caffeine intake.

· Since folic acid is important for a baby's development, you should take prenatal vitamin or folic acid supplements.

3. Things you should avoid to maximize fertility

· Stop smoking as it can affect the cervical mucus and hinder sperm from reaching the egg. Smoking can also increase the risk of miscarriage and decrease the amount of oxygen and nutrients that reaches the baby in the womb.

· Stop drinking alcohol. It is a definite no-no if you wish to conceive.

· Do not take any medication without first consulting with your physician. Many medicines that are perfectly normal at other times can cause problems during conception or pregnancy.

· Do not do any strenuous exercise. Moderate levels of physical activity are OK, but overdoing them can affect fertility.

Unless there is a serious fertility problem, just following these simple suggestions can help you get pregnant most often within a year's time.

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Can a Woman Who Has Endometriosis Still Conceive a Child?

While it's no secret that one of the symptoms of endometriosis for many women is infertility, not all women with the disease are unable to conceive a child. A large amount of infertile women who undergo a laparoscopy to determine possible causes of their inability to get pregnant are found to have this condition, according to some reports. In fact, many women with the disease do not know they have it until they are diagnosed upon seeing a fertility specialist to help them figure out why they're struggling to get pregnant.

So why do some women with this condition struggle to conceive a child? Endometriosis is marked by tissue that is supposed to grow in the uterus growing elsewhere in the body-usually the ovaries, bowel or tissue around the pelvis. In rare cases, the tissue may grow outside of the pelvic region. These adhesions may cause infertility for some women. If the fallopian tubes get stuck to the pelvic lining, or if the ovaries get stuck, then infertility may be present. Adhesions may interfere with the fallopian tubes, which can prevent conception in some cases. Others believe that secretions from the implants formed by this disease may harm fertility.

For some, the best window of opportunity to have a child is immediately following laparoscopy over the first several months. Women may undergo certain medical therapies to remove adhesions and improve chances of conception, or may find success naturally. Each case is different, and women should speak with a fertility specialist in their area for more precise information pertaining to their specific case. Some women with this disease will get pregnant without any treatment or procedures whatsoever.

One of the more common procedures for women with endometriosis is called in vitro fertilization (IVF). It is used to treat infertile couples around the world with varying causes of infertility. Combining sperm and eggs in a laboratory creates embryos, which can be transferred to the uterus where they may implant in its lining and develop. Others turn to alternative treatment options or other traditional fertility procedures.

Unfortunately, if the disease is a severe case, hysterectomy may be required to remove the uterus and cervix. In some cases, the ovaries may be removed as well. These procedures would prevent women from becoming pregnant, and those who still wish to have a child will be forced to explore other alternatives such as adoption or surrogacy.

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Healthy Pregnancy

Making healthy choices is extremely important during pregnancy. During the holiday season it can sometimes be hard to keep up because of busy schedules and planned parties. Good nutrition is vital so here are a few tips to keeping healthy during the holiday season.

Stay Hydrated
Drinking plenty of water has many health benefits but it is especially important during pregnancy. Being dehydrated can cause labor issues as well as other pregnancy complications. Drinking at least eight to ten glasses of water each day should be a priority to stay healthy during pregnancy and prevent dehydration. Keep a water bottle with you at all times during the day to ensure that this amount of water is consumed.

Nutrition
Nutrition is all about making the proper food choices and ensuring that the body is getting the vitamins and minerals that it needs to function. Body function during pregnancy is enhanced so eating healthy during pregnancy is the best way to stay healthy for yourself and your baby. It is important to reduce junk food and not eat too much. Eating good portions of nutritious food such as whole grains and fruits and vegetables is the ideal way to get high quality food without adding unwanted pounds. The best tip to stay down the right path is to be aware of what you are eating.

Exercise
Being strong and having a good cardiovascular system are the best ways to help carry a baby as well as care for the child afterwards. Exercise can be difficult to fit in and even more so during the holiday season. Do not stress yourself if you are not able to workout for an hour each day. Do what you can even if it is just a ten minute walk. Find some maternity activewear and start small if you are not used to exercising and always do things that are manageable because overdoing it can cause body temperatures to increase which could possible harm the baby.

Mental Health
Yes health depends greatly on physical health including what you eat and drink and how much you exercise but this is not everything. Your mental health is also important and should be focused on to ensure a stress free pregnancy. Keep your mind positive and enjoy your pregnancy. Stressing over different things can cause risk during pregnancy. Do everything you can to stop stressing and keep your body, mind and spirit in good health.

A healthy pregnancy means a healthy baby so do the best you can to stay hydrated, eat properly and exercise during your entire pregnancy. In addition keep your mental health strong and enjoy your pregnancy and the holiday season.

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