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Pregnancy Over Age 30

Many women today are waiting until later in life to have children. In the United States, birth rates for women in their 30s are at the highest levels in three decades. However, an older mother may be at increased risk for miscarriage, birth defects, and pregnancy complications such as twins, high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, and difficult labors. Some studies show that while there may be a greater likelihood of pregnancy complications in older women, their babies may not have more problems than babies of younger women. This is more likely when women receive prenatal care and give birth in a healthcare facility equipped to care for high-risk mothers and babies.

Risk of chromosomal abnormalities and maternal age:

The risk of having a baby with chromosomal abnormalities increases with maternal age. Listed below are the risks for having a baby with Down syndrome, one of the most common chromosomal birth defects, as well as the overall risks for having a baby with any type of chromosome abnormality, including Down syndrome:

Risks for Chromosome Abnormalities by Maternal Age

Maternal Age

Down syndrome

Any abnormality

15 to 24 years

1/1300

1/500

25 to 29 years

1/1100

1/385

35 years

1/350

1/178

40 years

1/100

1/63

45 years

1/25

1/18

It is possible that risks may be higher as many statistics only report live births and do not take into account pregnancies with chromosomal abnormalities that were terminated or ended due to natural pregnancy loss. There are approximately 400 different types of chromosome abnormalities that have been observed in humans, however, many are rare. The risk for Down syndrome makes up almost half of the maternal age risk for chromosome abnormalities.

In general, for women under the age of 40, after having one child with Down syndrome, the chance of having another baby with Down syndrome is 1 percent. After age 40, the recurrence risk for Down syndrome is based on the age of the mother at delivery. It is important to know that about 75 percent of babies with Down syndrome are born to women under the age of 35. This is because women under the age of 35 have more babies than women over 35. The physician may refer parents to a genetic specialist or genetic counselor who can explain the results of chromosomal tests in detail, including what the recurrence risks may be in another pregnancy and what tests are available to diagnose chromosome problems before a baby is born.

Prenatal testing is available to help diagnose or rule out chromosomal abnormalities and other genetic birth defects. Testing may include blood tests, ultrasound (using sound waves to look at internal structures), chorionic villus sampling (testing the tissues around the fetus), or amniocentesis (withdrawing a sample of the amniotic fluid).

Risk of miscarriage and maternal age:

Some studies have shown a higher chance of miscarriage (early pregnancy loss) in older mothers. When considering all women, about half of first trimester miscarriages occur because of a chromosomal abnormalityin the fetus. Because these abnormalities increase with maternal age, miscarriage is also more likely.

If you are pregnant and over the age of 30, talk with your physician about your individual health and discuss plans for helping you and your developing baby maintain a healthy pregnancy.

Discover How You Can Treat Infertility Naturally, Without Drugs or Surgery

How to Increase Your Chances of Getting Pregnant

A child is a gift from God. Unfortunately, not all people are given these gifts. Some couples do not get to have children while others had to wait a long time before they were given children. There are actually a host of reasons why women do not get pregnant. With the complexities of both the male and the female reproductive system, reasons for not conceiving are innumerable. But there are still ways to increase your chances of getting pregnant.

Some just can’t have children because of problems in the body’s functioning or hormonal imbalances while others are just not given the blessing of children even if they can bear children. And while there are ways to prevent conception, there are also ways to increase your chances of getting pregnant and ensure that the baby is on the way. Of course, these methods will only work when problems in the body are already resolved and both male and female are healthy individuals capable of producing children.

Below are some ways to increase your chances of getting pregnant and finally have a baby that you can call your own.

Visit a doctor

One of the most important things that you should do when trying to conceive is to make sure that you are capable of conceiving.

If you feel that you have been waiting too long for a baby, it is time to visit the gynecologist obstetrician to check what the problem is. Some women, it seems, cannot conceive because of the lack of certain chemicals in the body. These chemicals, hormones to be specific, are needed in order to develop the egg and to fertilize it. Often, to increase your chances of getting pregnant and to correct the hormonal imbalance, you will be asked to drink medicines.

Have vacations

Of course, no baby will be conceived if the couples do not even see each other for more than two hours in a day. This often happens with couples who are career-oriented. Oftentimes, they will see each other at night and frequently, they will have work inside their briefcase. In order to increase your chances of getting pregnant, couples should also make an effort to have quality time together.

If both have work, it is good to plan vacations every once in a while in order to increase your chances of getting pregnant, relax a bit and enjoy each other’s company. If you can, it is even better that you allot time every week for dates, wherein you can be together. You don’t even have to go anywhere special to increase your chances of getting pregnant. Just stay at home and enjoy being together.

De-stress

Stress is also another factor that inhibits conception for people who are healthy and capable of producing offspring. If you can’t help but be stressed out from work and all the other things that you do in your life, it is good to set aside a day in which you can relax and just lie in to increase your chances of getting pregnant. Have a spa. Have sauna baths. Enjoy sports. Delegate works that you can pass on to another.

Lead a healthy life

Although nothing has been proven yet, it is believed that alcohol, caffeine and nicotine can affect the reproductive system. It seems that these chemicals slow down the development and movement of sperm cells in men and egg cells in women.

As much as you can, lead a healthy and clean life to increase your chances of getting pregnant. Not only will this help you in conceiving a child, it will also ensure that you will pass on to your future children a healthy lifestyle.  

If you have tried everything to increase your chances of getting pregnant and found no success, don’t lose hope. Did you know that there are changes you can make in your life to solve fertility problems and increase your chances of getting pregnant, no matter how hard you’ve tried before?

Discover how a 41 year old woman conceived after years of trying and was able to conceive 3 times with this powerful natural way to increase fertility and get pregnant visit Fertility Secrets Handbook

To know more about health remedies visit Great Discovery-Health and Beauty.

Know The Signs And Symptoms Of Preterm Labor

Full term pregnancy is 37 weeks. If you go into labor before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy, this is preterm or premature labor and too early for your baby to be born. Preterm or premature babies have a higher risk for lifelong or life-threatening health problems.

There are medications that can delay or stop preterm labor. In many cases these medications can delay the birth long enough to get mom to a hospital with a neonatal intensive care unit. If the baby still comes too early, there are also medications that can improve the baby’s health.

Symptoms of premature labor include:

• Contractions (abdomen tightening like a fist) every 10 minutes or more often
• Change in vaginal discharge (losing fluid or bleeding from the vagina)
• Pelvic pressure (a feeling like your baby is pushing down)
• Low, dull backache
• Cramps that feel like your monthly period
• Abdominal cramps with or without diarrhea

If you experience any “one” of the above symptoms you need to call your health care provider or go to the nearest hospital and/or emergency care unit right away.

Any pregnant woman can experience preterm labor and delivery. There are some women at higher risk for preterm labor. Researchers continue to study preterm labor and birth; they have identified some risk factors that include:

• Women who have had a previous preterm birth
• Women who are pregnant with twins, triplets or more
• Women with certain uterine or cervical abnormalities

Even if you are one in the above categories of high risk for a preterm birth, researchers still cannot predict which women will give birth too early. If you have a risk factor it does not mean you will be a woman to give birth too early. It just means you might be more likely to have problems of preterm labor or birth more so than other women.

Also if you are a woman in one of the high risk categories it is especially important for you to know the signs and symptoms of preterm labor and what to do.

Certain lifestyle factors may put a woman at greater risk of preterm labor. Lifestyle factors include:

• Late or no prenatal care
• Smoking
• Drinking alcohol
• Using illegal drugs
• Exposure to the medication DES
• Domestic violence (physical, sexual or emotional abuse)
• Lack of social support
• Stress
• Long working hours with long periods of standing

The medical conditions during pregnancy that may increase the chances of a woman delivering too early include:

• Urinary tract infections
• Vaginal infections
• Sexually transmitted infections
• Possibly other infections
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Clotting disorders (thrombbophilia)
• Bleeding from the vagina
• Certain birth defects in the baby
• Being pregnant with a single fetus after in vitro fertilization (IVF)
• Being underweight before pregnancy
• Obesity
• Short time period between pregnancies (less than 6-9 months between birth and the beginning of the next pregnancy)

Other high risk categories researchers have identified include:

• African-American women
• Women younger than 17 or older than 35
• Poor women are at a greater risk than other women

Keep in mind that even if you have one of these risk factors, it does not mean for certain you will deliver your baby or babies early. This only means these are the risk factors identified by experts who study pregnancy and preterm labor. On the other hand, it is also possible for a woman to deliver early who is “not” in one of these high risk categories. Either way it is important to know:

• The signs and symptoms of preterm labor when you confirm a pregnancy
• Know what to do if you have any of the signs and symptoms of preterm labor
• Take very good care of yourself and your baby while you are pregnant to help ensure a full term delivery

Source: March of Dimes Association

Disclaimer: *This article is not meant to diagnose, treat or cure any kind of a health problem. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Always consult with your health care provider about any kind of a health problem and especially before beginning any kind of an exercise routine.

This article is FREE to publish with the resource box. Article written 5-2007.

Signs of pregnancy

Am I pregnant? It ‘ s the FAQ by most of the women either wanting or not wanting pregnancy every month. Most of the times no symptoms are noticed until the women miss their periods. If the woman fails to keep the record of her menstrual cycle or if the cycle is not regular the chances are that woman is not sure when to expect periods. If the woman start experiencing any or more of the given symptoms and she have not got her periods for a while then chances are that she is pregnant. It is better to take a home pregnancy test for confirming.

Signs of pregnancy
1 ) Swollen or Soft Breasts: One of the earliest symbols of pregnancy is sore and sensitive breasts. These are caused being of the intensification esteem hormones. The soreness resembles the one that is felt before the periods but it is its marked serial. The discomfort of breasts decrease or reduces later first trimester now neighboring this expression the body adjust itself ditch in addition straight of hormones.

2 ) Enervate: Are you motility exhausted suddenly? If indubitably then and it burden perform one of the earliest notation of pregnancy. No one knows the cause of weariness effect early pregnancy; but it is verbal that it fault speak for in that of surge command progesterone that contributes to relaxation.

Once the pregnancy enters second trimester; the woman start feeling more energetic. Sometimes it returns in third trimester; since the women have to carry more weight and she is not getting a peaceful sleep at night because of other pregnancy discomforts.

3 ) Implantation Bleeding: Some women may experience some vaginal bleeding after around 12 days of conception. The cause of bleeding is that fertilized egg burrows itself on the lining of uterus. The bleeding is light and may last for one or two days.

4 ) Morning Sickness: Most women do not experience morning sickness until after a month of conceiving. Still some women start to feel queasy much earlier. Pregnancy related morning sickness is not only confined to morning it can be experienced at any time in morning, afternoon or even in evening.

Source: Signs of pregnancy

Question by Maven: 17 Pregnant With Triplets and 56?
I’m 17 and I have been having an affair with my chemistry teacher who is 56 years old, and now I’m pregnant. And not with one baby… with three. Yes, i’m having triplets, and what’s worse is that my parents have disowned me and the teacher wants nothing to do with me because he’s afraid of losing his job and ruining his reputation..
What can I do?

Add your answer in the comments!

Top Prenatal Vitamins For Getting Pregnant After 40

Increasing chances of getting pregnant can be important, especially for women over 40. Taking the top prenatal vitamins is one of the best tricks to getting pregnant fast. Below you’ll find a recommended prenatal vitamin for every situation, plus some additional help on your quest in trying to conceive a baby.

The good news is that pregnancy after 40 isn’t as difficult as it used to be. A getting pregnant calendar should be your first step: make sure you carefully mark the days of your cycle in order to maximize your chances. Knowing your ovulation date is the single most important factor when it comes to conceiving a child, so make sure you and your partner are aware of when these days are.

The best pregnancy food to eat includes anything that will help you stay energized. Balance proteins such as meats, fish, eggs and poultry against healthy carbohydrates like fruit, nuts, and whole grains or cereals. Drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated, and try to increase your physical activity so that you’re getting at least 30 minutes of exercise each day. Getting pregnant after 40 requires your body to be in the best possible shape, both for you and your future baby.

The best pregnancy vitamins include supplements that your body may no longer be getting enough of. As a woman advances in age her metabolism decreases, and the breaking down of food and nutrients isn’t as efficient as it used to be. Trying to conceive a baby while your body is deficient of essential minerals can be an uphill battle, which is why the following recommended prenatal vitamin regimen should be considered:

* Folic Acid – This supplement is a must have. It’s the number one pre-pregnancy vitamin prescribed to women of any age, and it’s an important part of early fetal development. You should make sure Folic Acid is at the top of your list.

* Iron – Getting enough iron can be a problem as you get older. For women who are anemic, iron is especially important. Make sure you’re getting your daily recommended allowance.

* Calcium – As you probably already know, calcium breakdown can be a common female problem as age increases. Ovulation and getting pregnant requires that you get more than enough of this vital element.

* DHA – Many top prenatal vitamins include docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). This is an omega-3 fatty acid normally found in fish that is important for brain and heart development and health. Because women trying to become pregnant often limit their intake of fish due to concerns about mercury, they sometimes miss out on getting enough DHA in their diet. Make up for it here.

* Alpha Lipoic Acid – Essential to producing energy at a cellular level, C0Q10 and alpha lipoic acid are fairly expensive and not commonly found in most prenatal supplements… but these nutrients can have incredibly powerful effects on your body’s function. If you can work these into your budget, they’re certainly worth it.

* Zinc – Want to really boost fertility? Zinc has been shown to do just that, in numerous studies. It can be taken while trying to get pregnant in order to stimulate fertility and you should continue to take it while pregnant to help in the development in your baby’s tissues.

* Vitamin B6 – Not only do the B-complex vitamins help give you an energy boost, but this particular supplement has been proven to decrease symptoms of morning sickness. By increasing chances of getting pregnant with this mineral, you’re also helping out with how you’ll feel once you’ve already conceived.

No matter how old you are, it’s never a bad idea to be on the best pregnancy vitamin plan possible. It’s also important to realize that there are foods that you should avoid while trying to get pregnant, and over the counter medications and herbal remedies that could be counterproductive to having a baby. On the flip side of the coin, there are many that can actually help in Getting pregnant after 40.

Question by Mommy2be: During the first 5-7 weeks of pregnancy can a twin pregnancy be be mismeasured in terms of gestation?
..In such a way that the measurement of the gestational sac(because of size) would say that you are further along than you really are(if there were in fact twins)
PS…I don’t know if I am having them, I am just curious. Ultrasound on Nov. 7th though
gestational sacs have to have a different range if they are looking at twins, right?
..maybe if they did not know that they were looking at twins?

Give your answer to this question below!

You and Your Baby at 31 Weeks Pregnant

When you are 31 weeks pregnant, you are into your last trimester of the pregnancy. While your body has already undergone tremendous changes, there are still changes yet to come. At this time you are starting to get impatient waiting for the baby to arrive. You may also experience moments of anxiety wondering about the baby ?if it is going to be healthy, if you have everything you need for the baby arrival and if you are going to be a good mother. These are normal emotions and thoughts that all expectant mothers have, so you shouldn be concerned. You may also start feeling apprehensive about the impending labour and birth.

During this time your baby needs more oxygen as the lungs are starting to develop and the baby is starting to breathe on its own. This means you need more iron from your food. Your diet should include a lot of dark green, leafy vegetables, dried fruits and nuts and lean, red meat. Drinking lots of water is also essential so that your organs have the fluids they need to function properly. When you drink at least eight glasses of water each day it will help to decrease the amount of fluid you retain. This is especially important if you notice that your hands and feet are swelling. The water will help to build new cells in your body and in the baby and improve the blood flow.

Because your belly is expanding, you may be feeling uncomfortable when you lie down at night or just to take a nap during the day. If you have a body pillow that you can wrap yourself around, this tends to reduce your discomfort. Don drink a lot of fluids just before bedtime because this will cause you to have to go to the bathroom several times during the night. You should also avoid caffeinated drinks that may keep you awake or cause you to have heartburn.

Your baby is starting to grow rapidly at this time and the internal organs are really starting to develop. You will experience more and more kicks and a lot of movement. At this time of the pregnancy, the baby usually weighs a little over three pounds and measures about fourteen inches long.

If you were to have a 3D ultrasound at this time, you would really be able to see the facial features of the baby and see it kicking its legs. The baby will likely be sucking its thumb. If you want to know whether you are having a boy or girl, this is the time when you can really see the sex organs on an ultrasound and know without a doubt the preparations you need to make for the clothing and the nursery.

It is important for you to get lots of rest and stay off your feet whenever possible. Morning sickness has passed and you have a renewed interest in going out with friends. However, you still have to watch what you eat so that you don have indigestion problems. The growing baby is putting more pressure on your kidneys and growing back. This means you may have backache and still have to make frequent trips to the bathroom.

Question by Noah’s Mommy & Ava due 9/11: Did you get pregnant right away after getting off birth control?
I’ve had Mirena in since the end of July last year and am making an appointment with my doctor to have it removed. My husband and I are planning on TTC this month(yay!!).

For those of you who have used Mirena(or any method, really) how long did it take you to become pregnant after removing/getting off it?

What do you think?

Question by HoopTherapy: WHAT ARE THE CHANCES OF HAVING A TWIN PREGNANCY?
ARE THERE ANY FACTORS TO CONSIDER FOR THE CHANCES OF HAVING A TWIN PREGNANCY OR IS IT STRICTLY BY CHANCE.

What do you think?