pregnancy

Pregnancy after 30

As more and more women are choosing to get pregnant after 30 years of age, it is the need of the hour to be aware of the complications that may arise in these pregnancies.

Genetic disorders

The risk of giving birth to a child affected by Down's syndrome is 1 in 1000 at the age of 25 yrs, it increases to 1 in 294 by the age of 35 yrs

Higher rates of miscarriages

Higher rates of aneuploidies and other chromosomal abnormalities result in higher failed pregnancies with first trimester miscarriages.

Multiple pregnancy

With increasing age chances of double or multiple ovulation increase which result in higher chances of multifetal pregnancy in older women.

Hypertension and preeclampsia

Women more than 35 years of age are at an increased rise of developing high blood pressure and preeclampsia during their pregnancy.

Higher rates of cesarean section

With increasing age there are studies which have shown a higher rate of labour dystocias.

Gestational diabetes mellitus

Considering the fact that getting pregnant in your 30s gives you financial security and gives you the time and maturity that is needed to nurse a baby, we need to be aware of the additional measures which should be taken in these pregnancies -

Preconceptional counselling and check up

This helps to address any undiagnosed medical conditions before conceiving and to understand better the problems which you may face during your antenatal period. An individualized care plan can be chalked out for you during this period.

Geneticist consult

If you have experienced multiple pregnancy losses before 10 weeks of conceiving or have a baby with a genetic disorder, then a visit with your partner to the geneticist is essential.

Tips

  1. Maintain healthy BMI/Weight.
  2. Take nutritional supplements as prescribed by your doctor.
  3. Learn and practice stress management.
  4. Lifestyle changes to incorporate more fibre rich food, increase protein content and get good sleep
  5. During pregnancy it is important to get your dual marker test and an early anomaly scan done to identify any abnormalities in the baby early in first trimester .Based on your case you may be further advised a cell free fetal DNA testing, amniocentesis, chorionic villius sampling for testing any chromosomal defects.

Tags: pregnancy after 30 pregnancy high risk pregnancy
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Dr. Namrata Agrawal

Dr. Namrata Agrawal is a renowned ICU specialist with experience in managing all critical patients and performing all invasive procedures for the last 6 years. She always strived to be a doctor and worked hard for it. She did her MBBS from Simmer, Surat. Later, she did a Certificate course in Critical Care Medicine (CTCMM) from Apollo Hospital in Ahmedabad followed by an Indian Diploma of Critical Care Medicine (IDCCM) from Nanavati Hospital in Mumbai.