Pregnancy after 40 can be very difficult, as a woman becomes less fertile at this age and chances of miscarriage increase manifold. She also runs a higher risk of getting problems like gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, premature delivery or a c-section. Even the chances of the baby having birth defects or chromosomal imbalance are higher.
Preparing To Get Pregnant
As an over 40 woman, you may have to make some extra efforts to conceive or get pregnant. Getting pregnant after 40 does not come that easily, as men and women have lower fertility. So, if you plan yourself for this beautiful change in your life, you will achieve success more easily and quickly. The preparations you make will signal your body that you are preparing it for a special change. Follow certain Do"s and Don"ts to make conception easier.
Avoid all types of physical and mental stress at home or work. Stay calm and relaxed.
Make dietary changes and switch to a healthy diet full of anti-oxidants. Ask your obstetrician for any vitamin supplements that you may require.
Indulge in exercises and meditation.
Have a positive attitude and look forward to the good news.
Use pregnancy wheel to calculate the best time for your delivery and accordingly plan yourself.
Special Checks To Detect Problems
Various pre natal tests are performed at different stages. These investigations are performed, besides other regular tests during pregnancy like the urine tests, blood tests, blood-pressure checks etc. As a pregnant woman over 40, you will be asked to take test for Amniocentesis and Chronic Villus Sampling (CVS). The test on fetus to rule out any genetic or chromosomal defects before birth is also performed.
These tests assure that everything is well with you and the positive feeling helps you stay and feel healthier. On the other hand, if a problem is diagnosed with the mother or the baby, immediate remedial actions can be taken. However, there is no surety of these tests being completely correct and hence there can always be a bit of uncertainty with pregnancy after 40.
Staying `In the Pink"
So, if you are getting pregnant over 40, take care of certain simple things, and make your pregnancy extremely vigorous. Rest as much as possible, drink lots of water, eat a healthy and balanced diet and keep a watch on your weight.
But, at the same time, it is mere caution and overflow of research that highlights the difficulties faced during this period. Each pregnancy is different, pertaining to the vast difference in metabolism in each human being. So, getting pregnanct over 40 may well be as normal as any other pregnancy. It might as well result in a perfectly normal delivery as well, and that is not a miracle. But paying caution and making use of available resources to detect problems can go a long way in making your pregnancy after 40, absolutely healthy and full of excitement.