 Words by Suzanne Sage of My Child Magazine
Pregnancy over 35
An increasing number of Australian women are having babies in their late 30s and early 40s. Suzanne Sage discovers some of the challenges and the many joys of motherhood at this age
S urprisingly, almost a quarter of babies today are born to mothers over the age of 35, while four percent of births are to mothers over the age of 40. This is almost four times as many as 20 years ago. Some people may believe there are too many health risks involved in later life pregnancies, but the good news is that successful pregnancies are experienced by the vast majority of older mothers.
Life Changes
Much has changed over the past two decades. The opportunities and choices for women today are many and varied. We have better access to tertiary education, the ability to develop a fulfilling career and greater earning potential than our mothers. While financially we are in a better position, our desire for material possessions means our cost of living expenses soar. Many couples may choose to have a dual income to meet their financial obligations and lifestyle choices. Meeting the right person may not happen for many of us until much later in life. When it does, a few years together may seem more appealing than having a family straightaway.
This delay in motherhood, however, may pose some problems when we do want to have children.
Fertility & Conception
Although the birth rates and fertility rates for women in older age groups have been consistently increasing, women over the age of 35 do face a greater challenge in conceiving. There is a gradual decrease in fertility once a woman reaches 30, an even greater decline in fertility from 35 and it really plummets once you hit 40.
As we age, blood flow to the ovaries decreases as does the quantity and quality of eggs produced. It is no surprise that women aged 35 and over are those most likely to seek assistance from fertility treatments such as in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) to aid in pregnancy success. Stephen and Samantha had been married for 10 years before they began to seriously consider a family. Both in their mid 30s, they tried to conceive naturally for more than two years before seeking the help of IVF treatment. While the process was long and stressful, they were delighted when, after many attempts, Samatha found she was pregnant. They went on to welcome their son, Ben, when she was 37. Just six months later they were stunned when she fell pregnant naturally and gave birth to another son, Max. Samantha was 39.
Pregnancy Health
Once you do conceive, your GP or obstetrician will carefully monitor you and your baby's health. High blood pressure, gestational diabetes and low lying placental problems can occur more frequently in older women. However, if you have no pre-existing conditions and lead a healthy lifestyle, there is a strong chance you won't experience these issues. Miscarriage and stillbirth rates also tend to increase as you age. Often miscarriage is the result of chromosomal abnormalities in the developing foetus. Although miscarriage can happen to a mother of any age, older eggs and the increased age of the father can be contributing factors. Genetic abnormalities such as Down syndrome are probably the biggest concern for older mums. The chances of this occurring are dramatically higher, particularly for women who are aged 40 plus. The risk is one in 60 compared to one in 1,500 for women 25 years of age. Many couples choose to undertake screening tests in the first trimester to determine the risk to the baby. More detailed diagnostic testing, such as an amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling (CVS), is available for couples who choose to know whether or not their baby is suffering from a chromosomal abnormality. These procedures are more invasive and there is an increased risk of miscarriage. After experiencing two miscarriages at 38, I was not prepared to undertake any invasive tests during my last pregnancy. After my 12-week scan and blood tests, my obstetrician advised my baby's risk of chromosomal abnormality was similar to that of a woman half my age. I was 39.
When you are pregnant, ensure that you choose medical professionals who are supportive and experienced with older mothers. They should be encouraging and able to provide you with accurate medical information and advice.
The Birth
Statistics show that older mums do tend to have more interventions such as epidurals and induced labours during the birthing process. It is not really known whether this is a result of overly cautious medical carers or truly brought on because of a woman's age. Caesarean births can be as high as 40 percent for the older mother.
I had an emergency Caesarean with my first son, Jock, who was born when I was 37. I had an elective Caesarean with my second son, Flynn, born when I was 40. Both Caesareans were the result of medical complications including a breech presentation. This could have happened even if I had been 25 years of age. Ultimately, the only thing that mattered to me was a safe delivery and a healthy baby.
Vicky and Michael didn't have any problems with the births of their two daughters. Their first child, Keelie, was born when Vicky was 35 after a great pregnancy and smooth delivery. Five years later, as Vicky was preparing for her 40th birthday, she was surprised to find herself pregnant for the second time. Both girls were conceived naturally, each pregnancy progressed smoothly, and both of the labours were completely natural. Charli was delivered after just three hours. Vicky had a positive attitude and didn't consider age a barrier. She acknowledges that she felt more tired with Charli post birth, particularly in the early months. She attributes some of that to her age, but also to looking after an older child who was starting school and needing her love and attention during such a formative year.
The Benefits
While there may be some increase in health concerns, the advantages of having a baby over 35 are many. You will most likely be in a secure and happy relationship. Together you may have worked to establish a comfortable home and have a moderate or high level of financial security. You may be able to take extended time off from work or work part-time.
Life experiences will give you a much greater perspective on what is truly important. More time would have allowed you to enjoy a lot of the things you really wanted to. You are also likely to have more patience and be in a position to enjoy every moment with your baby since you have waited so long to actually have one.
Life balance will eventually return, but many older mothers aren't in a hurry to get their old lives back. They don't feel they are missing out and they really do enjoy every minute. I never tire of it or think I could be doing something better.
The Challenges
The biggest disadvantage of being an older mum is the tiredness and low energy levels you may experience. Though all mothers complain about the sleepless nights and fatigue, it is the older mothers who tend to notice it the most. You really need to look after yourself, particularly in those early months with a newborn.
Another difficulty is the lack of support from your own parents. Younger grandparents are often able to provide help with caring and babysitting duties. In my case, my mother is aged 84 and my husband's parents are both 80 years of age. While they adore their grandchildren, they physically aren't up to long stretches of babysitting.
Starting late will see you and your partner approaching 50 or even 60 when your child is in his or her teens. This shouldn't pose a significant problem for yourself or your child if you both maintain good health. Of course, if your children decide to delay parenthood, you too will be an older grandparent.
There is no right or wrong age to have children. If you are aged over 35 and want to have your first or fourth child, there is no reason why you can't deliver a beautiful baby. You can be encouraged and comforted to know that the success rate is extremely high. The rewards of having kids at this age far outweigh the wait or any of the challenges you may have to overcome in the process.•
TIPS ON WHAT TO DO
- If you have tried to conceive for three to four months without success, speak with your GP or obstetrician.
- Prepare for pregnancy by eating a healthy diet and include foods that are high in protein, iron, vitamin C and zinc.
- Consider your partner's health, diet, exercise and habits as well.
- Be aware of your cycle. Know when you are ovulating and when you are fertile.
- Enjoy moderate exercise and sleep seven to eight hours each night.
- Quit smoking and avoid alcohol and caffeine. All impact on fertility and increase your chances of miscarriage.
- Take a quality folate supplement to reduce the risk of neural tube defects.
- Once pregnant, choose a caring and supportive obstetrician or midwife who has dealt with mature mothers-to-be.
- Select the delivery option that ensures the safety of you and your baby.
Resources
FURTHER READING
- Conception, Pregnancy And Birth by Dr Miriam Stoppard (Dorling Kindersley, $49.95).
- Pregnancy: Older Women An Essential Guide by Jo Johnson (Forward Press,$19.95)
- What To Expect When You're Expecting by Heidi Murkoff & Sharon Mazel (Harper Collins, $35.95).
This article is brought to you by My Child Magazine.
My Child is a fantastic parenting, health and lifestyle magazine that helps mums and dads know what to expect during pregnancy and birth, babyhood and the toddler and preschool years. There are great articles, heart-warming stories, personal tales of parents' experiences, and gorgeous fashion, interiors, style and product pages. This is Australia's first truly stylish and informative parenting magazine. Available quarterly. You can also visit our friendly forum or subscribe at www.mychildmagazine.com.au.
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