Trying for Pregnancy After 35 Years of Age

Getting pregnant after 35 years of age is a challenge for many couples. The older you get, the fewer eggs you have is what studies have shown. This means that your fertility rate begins to decline as early as age 30. So, does that mean you need to give up on having a kid and start searching for adoption agencies? No! We’ll discuss how the body works after 35 years of age and what you need to do to have a happy pregnancy.

Does Age Factor Affect Fertility?

Yes. Age affects fertility. As the body gets older, it falls under a higher risk of being exposed to different medical conditions and chronic diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure.

Complication of Pregnancy After Age 35

Let’s not forget the different risks of pregnancy after 35 which arise due to different medical conditions and beyond. Here are the following factors you need to be aware of-

• Low birth weights, premature birth, and genetic disorders
• Risk of a multiple pregnancy (twins, triplets, and quadruplets)
• Fertility problems including having trouble getting pregnant due to fewer eggs in ovulation phases
• Pre-existing diabetes, which damages different internal organs and causes fertility problems
• Gestational diabetes and chronic medical conditions like preeclampsia, hypertension, etc.
• Cases of stillbirths (when babies die inside the womb after 20 weeks of pregnancy), miscarriage and birth defects (like babies being born with Down Syndrome and chromosomal abnormalities)

What Tests Need to Be Done to Have a Healthy Pregnancy After 35?

Getting a prenatal test and healthcare evaluation are priorities for pregnant mothers. Do not wait until the last moment and make sure you do the following tests before and after your pregnancy.

Before Pregnancy Test:

The two main issues that arise during this time are fertility problems or need diet/mental health issues. In these cases, it is imperative that you converse with your local medical professional and get an updated evaluation of your health. A before-pregnancy test will reveal whether or not you’re fit for pregnancy.

• Get a preconception counselling done and a medical evaluation. Talk to your doctor regarding your medical history. These include genetic health conditions that run in the family. This will be useful in figuring out whether or not your baby will be at risk of having birth defects and chromosomal abnormalities.

• Are you suffering from chronic medical ailments like diabetes, high blood pressure or depression? If yes, then this is the time to seek treatment for them before choosing to get pregnant.

• Overweight and morbidly obese mothers are at a higher risk of developing pregnancy complications like gestational diabetes and preeclampsia. Lose your weight and go on a nutritional diet plan (combined with exercise regimes) to shed those pounds and prepare for a safer pregnancy.

• 400 mcg folic acid multivitamin supplements are recommended for mothers who are planning on becoming pregnant. Folic acid promotes proper cell and tissue growth in the body and prevents birth and neural tube development defects in babies.

• Avoid smoking, overdosing on prescription drugs or using illicit drugs. These not only harm you but can put the health of the foetus at risk. Some of the issues that can crop up because of this include premature and underweight babies.

• Avoid exposure to unsafe chemicals at home and outdoors, including chemicals from certain cleaning products and detergents. These may lead to birth defects in babies.

After Pregnancy Test:

Congratulations! You’re pregnant. Now it’s time for your after-pregnancy tests.

• Go to all your prenatal tests and get a healthcare evaluation even if you feel fine. We recommend cell-free DNA foetal screening and maternal blood screening for mothers who recently became pregnant. Diagnostic tests like chorionic villus sampling and amniocentesis will uncover whether or not your baby is at risk of developing certain birth defects. Ask your trusted health professional whether you need any vaccinations. Mothers are usually expected to have a flu shot after getting pregnant.

• Check with your healthcare provider or doctor regarding any existing medications you take and their dosages after the pregnancy. You may need to alter dosages or change medications depending on how they affect your baby and the overall pregnancy

• Your emotional state matters during a pregnancy. Practice yoga, meditation and participate in stress-free activities which make you feel good and happy. Get plenty of rest and keep yourself mentally and emotionally healthy.

• You will need to gain weight during pregnancy`. Ask your doctor how much you need to gain and consult with your dietician regarding adding specific supplements and foods to your diet. Make sure you’re not sedentary and stay moderately active for a healthy delivery.

How Can You Lower the Risk of Pregnancy Problems?

If you’re trying to conceive after 35, here’s what you can do to lower your risk of pregnancy complications –

• Avoid illicit drugs, caffeine, smoking, and alcohol consumption.
• Stay healthy by being active and living on a healthy, nutritionally-balanced diet.
• Take care of your emotional and mental wellbeing by being stress-free through yoga, meditation, and regular exercise.
• Give it time. Ideally, it takes between 1 to 2 years for older women to conceive, so stay positive and do not expect results immediately.
• Maintain a healthy weight since being overweight or underweight affects hormonal functions.
• Consider shopping for fertility screening instruments and over-the-counter at-home fertility screening tests. These can be used for checking your basal body temperature, state of cervical fluids and identifying whether your partner has any fertility problems. This will make things go a lot smoother as they will help pinpoint the ideal time for regular intercourse for conception.
• Consider taking a supplement which contains myoinositol. This will bolster the quality of your eggs during ovulation and increase the chances of fertilization.
• In some instances, you may have tried every method stated above and still can’t seem to conceive after a period of six months. If this is so, then it’s time to visit your healthcare provider or a doctor for undergoing medically-diagnosed fertility tests.

Treatments for Women Having Trouble Getting Pregnant

The following are the treatment options available for women who have trouble getting pregnant.

1. Healthy Lifestyle: Maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding drugs and alcohol and eating a healthy diet are everyday choices that you need to make. It can treat your fertility problems and make it easier getting pregnant after 35 naturally. Make sure you’re physically active and that your partner is too.
2. Rest and Relaxation: Life can be hectic for all of us but that shouldn’t stop you from spending the time to relax mentally and emotionally. These are natural therapies for any woman who wishes to have a healthy pregnancy after 35. You can try attending yoga classes, Tai Chi, Qi Gong and try out Art therapy for a dose of relaxation and everyday holistic wellbeing.
3. Medical Methods: You can try artificial insemination, IVF and variations including ICSI if you’re having trouble getting pregnant. Hormone therapy is recommended as well. However, keep in mind that none of these methods will guarantee successful conception or pregnancy since success rates vary with age and individual profiles.

Things to Remember

Before you lose heart, please remember that it takes time to conceive naturally if you’re 35 and older. Changing your lifestyle and habits into healthier ones are things every mother should strive for before deciding to conceive or have a baby. Discuss with your partner any fertility problems and attend couples’ therapy (if you’re having relationship issues) to make sure that you are both on the same page. After that, make sure to follow up with a fertility specialist before getting pregnant and you’ll be good to go!

It’s not impossible to get pregnant after 35. In fact, if you live healthily and take good care of yourself, you’ll increase pregnancy chances after 35 a lot more and make it a reality. Start preparing early, and you’ll thank yourself down the line.