The risk of elderly childbearing on maternal and infant health
With the development of society and the improvement of people's awareness, more and more women choose to postpone the childbearing age. However, whether there are risks to the health of mothers and infants due to the aging of childbirth is a topic of great concern. This article will elaborate on the possible risks of elderly childbearing from four aspects: fertility, pregnancy complications, newborn health and psychological impact.
1、 Decreased fertility
As women grow older, the quality and quantity of eggs will gradually decrease, and the ability to conceive will also gradually decline. A study found that the pregnancy rate of women over 40 years old is only about 15% per month, while women under 30 years old can reach 20% to 25%.
In addition, the abortion rate of older pregnant women is higher than that of other age groups. Research shows that pregnant women over 35 are twice as likely to miscarry as those under 30. This is because the decline in egg quality increases the risk of chromosomal abnormalities in embryos, which increases the possibility of miscarriage of pregnant women.
In addition, the elderly pregnant women are also prone to ectopic pregnancy. With the growth of age, the function of the fallopian tube declines, so that the fertilized egg cannot enter the uterus smoothly, but is implanted in the fallopian tube and other parts, forming an ectopic pregnancy.
2、 Increased risk of complications during pregnancy
Older pregnant women will face more risk of complications during pregnancy. First, older pregnant women are more likely to suffer from pregnancy induced hypertension, which may increase the risk of pregnancy complications such as pre eclampsia and eclampsia.
Secondly, older pregnant women are at a higher risk of diabetes. Gestational diabetes will increase the risk of fetal macrosomia, make the delivery process more difficult, and may also lead to neonatal hypoglycemia.
In addition, older pregnant women are also prone to complications such as placental abruption and oligohydramnios, which may pose a serious threat to the health of mothers and infants.
3、 Newborn health problems
The elderly childbearing is closely related to the health problems of newborns. Research shows that babies born to older pregnant women are more likely to have chromosomal abnormalities, such as Down syndrome. In addition, the babies of older pregnant women are also more likely to have birth defects, such as heart disease, cleft lip and palate, etc.
In addition, the fetus of older pregnant women is also more likely to have low birth weight and premature delivery. All of these will increase the health risks of newborns and require more medical attention and care.
4、 Increased psychological impact
For older pregnant women, the psychological pressure they face will also increase. Due to the decline of fertility and the increase of complications during pregnancy, older pregnant women are more likely to feel anxious and worried. Some women may feel the pressure of reproductive ability and doubt whether they have the ability of mother.
In addition, elderly mothers may face greater difficulties in caring for newborns, because their bodies may not recover as quickly as young mothers. These psychological pressures may have a certain negative impact on the health of mothers and infants.
Summary
To sum up, there are certain risks to the health of mothers and infants in the elderly childbirth. The fertility of elderly pregnant women is reduced, and they are prone to face the risk of abortion and ectopic pregnancy. Pregnancy complications are also more common, which may pose a serious threat to the health of mothers and infants. At the same time, babies born to older pregnant women are more prone to chromosomal abnormalities and birth defects. In addition to physical risks, older pregnant women also face more psychological pressure. Therefore, for women who plan to give birth at an advanced age, they should consult their doctors in advance to understand and assess their health status, and comprehensively consider the risks of childbirth and the possible impact on the health of mothers and infants.
