By Iris Farrou
17 Oct, 2023
Health Conditions and Pregnancy, New Moms, Parenting, Pregnancy, Prevention, Women's Health
blood pressure, early pregnancy health care, fact, genetic testing, geriatric pregnancy, Gynecologist, heart rate, high risk pregnancy, HIV, how to take care of my body when pregnant, level, Prenatal Health, prenatal visit, Rh, Screening, STD, STI, weight, when should I see a doctor after positive pregnancy test, when to see OBGYN
Finding out you are pregnant is often very exciting, and it may come with a ton of questions as to what happens next, how you should take care of your body and your baby, how to prepare for their arrival, and all the combinations of both nervousness and excitement! Taking care of your baby begins the moment you find out you are pregnant, and seeking professional prenatal care early is key to a healthy pregnancy and successful delivery.
What Do I Do?
Very good question! Most mothers have asked the same, so here is a basic checklist:
- If you suspect you are pregnant, make an appointment with your OBGYN as soon as possible. If you don’t have a regular OBGYN, call your insurance and see which experts in your area accept your insurance. If you don’t have insurance, before you look into applying, contact family planning clinics and community health centers close to you–those do provide basic prenatal care either free of charge or at a low cost.
- Your first prenatal appointment usually happens when you are 8 weeks pregnant, when a review of your medical history will take place and possibly a urine and blood test as well.
- For uncomplicated pregnancies, expect to see your prenatal healthcare provider once a month up until the 28th week, twice a month for weeks 28-36, and weekly from week 36 until delivery.
How Does this Help my Baby?
During your prenatal visits your doctor or nurse will check both your health and the health of your baby: your blood pressure and weight need to be monitored, measuring your abdomen to determine your baby’s growth is important, and your baby’s heart rate will also be checked at every visit.
Studies have shown that babies of mothers who receive no form of prenatal care whatsoever are three times more likely to have birth complications or low birth weight. It is understandable that if your insurance doesn’t cover the cost of all suggested prenatal exams and tests, you may not be able to afford them all. Some tests are screening tests, meaning that they detect risks of possible health problems; based on their results, your doctor may suggest diagnostic tests to get more accurate results.
What are some of the tests?
First and foremost your doctor needs to know your blood type and Rh factor, as well as any STIs, infections, or HIV. Genetic testing may be suggested to diagnose birth defects or possible genetic conditions, tests for chromosomal abnormalities, gestational diabetes test, glucose tolerance test, as well as regular urine tests and ultrasounds.
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With many women opting for careers and stable relationships before starting a family, the average maternal age of first time mothers is on the rise. In fact, according to the CDC, around 9% of new mothers are over 35 years old. While the odds of conceiving drop with age, it’s still very possible to have children past 35.
Advanced maternal age generally refers to women 35 and older. Essentially women over 35 will face more risks and complications, including the following.
- Time to conceive: Because egg quality and quantity decreases with age, it often takes six to 12 months for women of advanced maternal age to get pregnant.
- Multiple pregnancy: Due to hormonal changes for older women, the body is more likely to release multiple eggs, leading to twins.
- Pregnancy conditions: In addition to issues conceiving, pregnancies risks include high blood pressure and gestational diabetes. Both conditions can lead to complications during pregnancy and during delivery, if left untreated.
- Chromosome abnormalities: Women over 35 will have a higher risk of chromosome issues such as Down syndrome.
- Pregnancy loss: The risks of miscarriages and stillbirths also increase for mothers with age. All of the above issues (egg quality, chromosome abnormalities, high blood pressure, and diabetes) can increase the risk of miscarriage.
While all of these risks are real and possible, many women have safe and healthy pregnancies after 35. The first step is always going to be diet and exercise. Get your diet in check with a focus on fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains. Aim to eat clean as much as possible, which refers to eating actual ingredients rather than pre-made foods. Find some quick and easy recipes that use real ingredients.
Exercise is also so important. Get moving! Almost anyone can take a 30-minute walk per day. It’s easy and available to most people’s current health condition. Walking is the most basic way to get moving, as it eliminates any excuse to skip exercising that day. Other ways to get in shape include swimming, aerobics, yoga, cycling, and circuit training. If you are new to working out, start by walking and work up from there.
It’s also imperative to severely limit or avoid alcohol and tobacco when preparing to conceive. While caffeine is okay, limiting the amount of caffeine is also a wise move.
In addition to diet and exercise, make an appointment to talk with your OBGYN to assess your own plan. Your doctor will discuss options for fertility testing, if and when it’s needed. Your doctor can also discuss DNA screening and testing for chromosomal abnormalities.
The real takeaway is that the best way to prepare for conceiving over 35 is to get healthy through diet and exercise in order to prepare your body.
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Over the past few decades, the average age of a first-time mother has shifted from 24 to 26. Moreover, many women will wait until their mid-30s or even 40s to have their first child. Of course, this number varies greatly based on a number of factors (married status, socioeconomic status, education level, geographical location, etc.). However, with a college education necessary to earning middle-class wages, many women are choosing to finish college and start a career before having children.
Generally, pregnancies up to 35 years of age are less risky. Once women hit 35, doctors begin to refer to this age range as advanced maternal age, as more risks can develop. However, many women of over 35 years of age can also achieve a healthy pregnancy. While deciding when to start a family is a uniquely personal decision, here are a list of aspects to consider.
Pros and Cons Regarding Advanced Maternal Age
Cons of Advanced Maternal Age
- Older eggs and chromosomal abnormalities: As the body ages with time, so does a women’s limited supply of eggs. As the eggs get older, chromosomes are more likely to become displaces, which can lead to genetic disorders. Additionally, down syndrome is more likely to occur in babies when mothers are over 35.
- Issues conceiving: With a limited number of eggs, getting pregnant may become more difficult past 35. Woman not ready for children before 35 may consider freezing eggs.
Pros of Advanced Maternal Age
- Cognitive development: Recent studies have shown that children with supportive care givers, do better cognitively. Thus, women who wait to find a suitable partner and/or stable career often have the means to foster a stable home life, which can lead to better cognitive development of the child.
- Establishing healthy habits: The best way to prepare for an advanced maternal age pregnancy is to start eating healthy, exercising, and limiting excessive habits (drinking, smoking, etc.). Many women achieve healthy pregnancies at 35 or 40 if they take care of their bodies.
The main takeaway is to plan accordingly. If having kids prior to 35 is within your means and interest, then there’s no reason to put it off. However, if you are approaching 35 or 40, there’s still time to figure it out. The best thing to do is begin living a healthy lifestyle as soon as possible. This starts with basic maintenance like eating five servings of fruits and veggies each day, limiting processed and high-fat foods, drinking plenty of water, and exercising 150 minutes per week. And remember to see your OBGYN before you plan on getting pregnant. He/she can help you come up with a healthy plan of action for pregnancy.
More
Finding out you are pregnant is often very exciting, and it may come with a ton of questions as to what happens next, how you should take care of your body and your baby, how to prepare for their arrival, and all the combinations of both nervousness and excitement! Taking care of your baby begins the moment you find out you are pregnant, and seeking professional prenatal care early is key to a healthy pregnancy and successful delivery. 
