Approximately after the 1960s, the pace of women's lives changed configuration by setting priorities beyond marriage and motherhood. Undergraduate and graduate degrees, introduction into an increasingly competitive job market and the advent of contraceptive methods, like the pills, they have allowed us to currently have the option of deciding the best time to have a child, even after 35 years old.
Along with all these changes, medicine and research have progressed a lot, allowing this desire to be a mother to be viable for those that, a few decades ago, they should have given up on the dream: IBGE data reveal that the number of mothers over 40 in the country grew 27% between 1991 and 2000.
But why this risk, attributed to later pregnancies?
One of the difficulties of having children in the age range of 35 consists mainly in the conception itself, since not all eggs are viable and not every month, necessarily, there is ovulation. Generally at this age, the probability of all eggs having a certain quality decreases, which can lead to malformations, such as Down syndrome. Furthermore, gynecological problems such as cysts, fibroids, infections and endometriosis contribute to this greater difficulty.
However, these changes are also linked to the woman's way of life and her health status. Healthy women are less susceptible to this type of complication, regardless of age.
A tip is to visit a competent specialist doctor before conception to have routine tests such as blood counts and urine tests done. Supplementation with folic acid three months before this is recommended, as it reduces the risk of malformation of the child's central nervous system. Periodic visits to the gynecologist and ultrasound to monitor the progress of the pregnancy are very important, too.
Thus, maintaining a good state of health - both physical and emotional - and medical follow-up greatly increase the chance of succeeding in this endeavor.
In addition to, say, natural methods for conception, infertility treatments are highly sought after thanks to these advances in the field.
Finally, it is worth remembering that a child alters – and a lot – the routine. Women who work hard must reorganize for the sake of their health and their babies.
By Mariana Araguaia
Graduated in Biology
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/biologia/gravidez-apos-os-35-anos.htm