In cases of childbirth at a late age and unplanned pregnancy, the woman experiences a major shock that continues with her even after giving birth (Pixels)
On the verge of forty, or a few years after crossing the threshold, medical opinions indicate that a planned pregnancy is not a good idea for women, and the majority of women do not welcome pregnancy at this age stage, being content with the boys and girls they have been blessed with, out of appreciation for public health.
But what about an unplanned pregnancy, that surprise that may strain the stability of a family and a lifestyle that has been arranged over many years.
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Symptoms begin with bloating in the abdominal area, or a feeling of cold symptoms in the stomach, or perhaps completely without symptoms, as happened with Safaa Abdullah (42 years old), a woman who has been married for nearly 15 years. God blessed her with a daughter and a son, and she was satisfied with them and decided to make an effort. She and her husband do their best in raising and educating them.
However, the irregularity of the menstrual cycle for the forty-year-old woman was not a concern that calls for thought, as she knows the nature of her body, which tends to develop cysts on the ovaries, in addition to being close to the years of menopause, but what Safaa did not expect was for the doctor to tell her that she was pregnant, and the biggest surprise was that she was carrying twins.
The shock that befell a woman in her forties, after her unplanned pregnancy, studies indicate that it is increasingly frequent among women over the age of forty, and according to data issued by the National Center for Health Statistics in the United States, approximately 4% of new children are born to mothers who are over their age. 40, and more than 75% of pregnancies in this age group are unplanned.
As for the case of Heba Mansour, (39 years old), although she was not yet forty when she decided to become pregnant, the date of birth coincided with her entering that age stage. “Heba” told Al Jazeera Net, “I conducted all medical examinations to ensure a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby, and I decided To go through the journey from the beginning, with the hope that it will come true and that I will have a healthy baby girl.”
Heba added that she knew all the risks and read a lot about pregnancy at that age before taking this step. She also underwent genetic testing before the fourth month and confirmed that the fetus was healthy and decided to enjoy the journey of pregnancy until birth.
The most important risks that worry pregnant mothers at this age are gestational diabetes and preeclampsia (Shutterstock)
Why do the chances of pregnancy increase after forty?
Reaching the forties of life means, for most women, reaching the safety zone. Pregnancy is not possible at this age, as fertility levels decline by the mid-thirties. Most cases indicate that pregnancy at this stage requires medical intervention and complex technology different from the natural method of pregnancy. This is what many women believe, but are these ideas scientifically correct?
In perimenopause, the ovaries are once again trying to adapt to the new normal, so they become overactive and send out intermittent bursts of estrogen, stimulating the production of groups of hyperactive eggs and their release during ovulation.
Intense stimulation to produce additional eggs is often the reason why fraternal twins are the most common in pregnancies over the age of 40.
Many women try to alleviate the pain of contraceptives and their side effects. After reaching the age of forty, they resort to removing them and resorting to natural methods, or calculating their ovulation periods. According to Dr. Omaima Ibrahim, a consultant in obstetrics and gynecology, many pregnancies after forty that It is presented to her, and the patient begins to suffer from menopausal symptoms that resemble those of late pregnancy.
“How will I start again?” says the gynecology consultant. This is the first sentence she hears when a wife is surprised by pregnancy. Some women are excited to have children, re-raise and care for infants, but the majority feel in danger.
Study: Rates of pre- and post-natal depression rise to 23% among mothers who become pregnant after the age of forty (Getty)
Health and psychological risks of pregnancy after forty
The most important risks that worry pregnant mothers at this age are gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, caesarean section, and having a child with Down syndrome. Fortunately, all of these risks can be medically controlled by adhering to a healthy diet and good follow-up during pregnancy.
But what about psychological risks, the rates of which are higher than those in natural pregnancy? According to a study published by the JAMA Scientific Network on unplanned pregnancy and its impact on the health of the mother and child, in the United States of America, the results indicated an increase in the rates of pre- and post-natal depression to 23% among women. Mothers who became pregnant unintended after middle age, and late-life unintended pregnancy was significantly associated with adverse maternal and infant outcomes.
Psychological support and parental participation are factors that reduce the risk of depression for the mother and infant, especially with fears of attrition and starting from scratch that constitute an obsession among mothers.
Dr. Asma Afifi, a psychological counseling specialist, points out that in cases of childbearing at a late age and unplanned pregnancy, the woman experiences a major shock that continues with her even after birth, and this shock may cause her pregnancy disorders and may threaten her safety and the safety of the fetus, so psychological support The participation of her family and husband, and avoiding frustration, blaming her, or ridiculing her, are among the most important factors that save her from these dangers.
Asmaa also added that sharing responsibility with children may contribute to reducing the burden on the mother, and also teaches children to participate and cooperate with the mother to care for the new infant.
Source: Al Jazeera + websites