What kind of examinations should women who give birth at an advanced age receive
With the development of society and the improvement of women's living standards, more and more women choose to postpone the childbearing age. However, the elderly childbearing has brought some risks and challenges. In order to ensure the safety of mothers and babies, women who give birth at an advanced age need to undergo a series of examinations. The following will elaborate on the examination items that older women who have given birth need to accept from four aspects: reproductive health examination, genetic counseling, physical health assessment, and preparation before pregnancy.
1. Reproductive health examination
Older women who have given birth need to have a reproductive health examination to assess their fertility and potential risks. These examinations include ovarian function assessment, menstrual history assessment, uterine and pelvic examination, etc.
First, ovarian function assessment is the most important examination. Female fertility mainly depends on the function of ovary. Doctors usually assess the status of ovarian function through blood tests to detect the levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH, LH) and estrogen.
Secondly, menstruation history assessment is an important basis for judging female fertility and potential problems. By asking women about their menstrual cycle, menstrual volume and dysmenorrhea, we can initially understand their fertility and whether there are abnormalities.
Finally, the purpose of uterine and pelvic examinations is to exclude women with congenital or acquired gynecological diseases, such as uterine malformations, uterine fibroids, pelvic inflammation, etc. These diseases may increase the risk of infertility or miscarriage.
2. Genetic counseling
Women who give birth at an advanced age also need to receive genetic counseling to assess the risk of genetic diseases and decide whether to carry out relevant genetic tests.
The purpose of genetic counseling is to assess whether couples carry some common or specific genetic diseases, so as to understand the genetic risk of children. During the consultation, the doctor will collect the family medical history of both the husband and wife and make corresponding risk assessment. If there is an obvious risk of genetic disease, the couple can choose to carry out relevant genetic tests, such as gene mutation screening, chromosome abnormality detection, etc., to assess the genetic status of the pregnant fetus.
The purpose of genetic counseling is to help couples make fertility decisions and provide them with relevant knowledge and advice on genetic diseases.
3. Physical health assessment
Older women who have given birth need to carry out a comprehensive physical health assessment to ensure that their health conditions are suitable for pregnancy and childbirth.
First of all, women need to have a comprehensive physical examination, including evaluation of blood pressure, heart and lung, thyroid function, liver and kidney function, etc., to exclude the existence of chronic or systemic diseases.
Secondly, women also need to be screened for infectious diseases, including hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, HIV, etc. These infectious diseases may have a serious impact on the fetus or newborn.
Finally, women need to carry out routine screening related to childbearing age, such as breast cancer screening, cervical cancer screening, etc., to ensure that there are no other potential health problems.
4. Preparation before pregnancy
Older women who give birth need to make some preparations before pregnancy to ensure their physical and mental health and the good development of the fetus.
First, women need weight management and nutrition assessment. Reasonable weight and balanced diet can reduce the risk of complications during pregnancy and promote the normal development of the fetus.
Secondly, women need to stop some bad habits, such as smoking and drinking. These bad habits will have a serious impact on embryos and fetuses.
Finally, women need to take folic acid and other necessary vitamins and minerals before pregnancy. Folic acid supplementation can prevent fetal neural tube defects, and supplementation of other vitamins and minerals can enhance nutritional requirements during pregnancy.
Summary
Women who have given birth at an advanced age need to undergo four examinations: reproductive health examination, genetic counseling, physical health assessment and pre pregnancy preparation. These examinations can assess women's fertility and potential risks, and provide them with appropriate fertility decisions and relevant health guidance. Through these examinations, women who give birth at an advanced age can ensure the safety and health of mothers and babies. Therefore, before deciding to postpone the childbearing age, women should know in advance and actively accept these necessary examinations.
