As you get older, you are at a higher risk as compared to younger women to have certain health complications before and during pregnancy. Women who get pregnant after 35 may have to face complications such as premature birth, birth defects and pregnancy with multiples among other things. If you’re older than 35, getting a prenatal screening test might be a good idea to see if your baby is at risk for any birth defects. Here’s how you can manage your pregnancy in the best possible way:
- Take a Prenatal
As discussed above, pregnancy after the age of 35 can increase your risk of birth defects. Taking prenatal vitamins which have about 400 mg of folic acid before getting pregnant can help prevent neural tube birth defects such as spina bifida. This is a condition in which the tissue over the baby’s spinal cord doesn’t close.
- Get Regular Check Up
If you’re planning to become pregnant in your late 30s, visit your doctor for a pre-pregnancy check-up. Your gynecologist will be able to help you find the prenatal vitamins you need. They will also guide you through pregnancy diet, safe prenatal exercise, and environmental factors that you should avoid for the next nine months.
- Manage your Existing Conditions
When you suffer from health problems such as high blood pressure or diabetes, make sure your doctor knows about it. When you’re trying to conceive, sharing these details with your doctor and they can help you manage your existing conditions better. They may offer advice and diet plans to keep your body in shape.
- Check your Weight
Women who are overweight when they get pregnant are more likely to develop problems during pregnancy and may have trouble with labor and delivery too. Make sure you lose some weight before you try for a baby.
- Choose the right foods
Pregnancy is a time to really focus on what you’re eating. Make sure you include a wide variety of nutritious foods in your diet. Try eating foods that are rich in folic acid. Foods such as spinach, beans, lentils, and sunflower seeds are all good sources of the same.
- Get enough Sleep
Make sure you’re getting enough sleep when you’re trying to get pregnant. It might be a good time to reassess your sleeping environment too. Experts suggest to avoid watching TV in the bedroom and to keep your laptop and cell phone away from you. This ensures better sleep quality for you and your partner.
It helps the woman if she is aware of the risks associated with delayed motherhood, so that they can make informed decisions on when to start their families. Although later-age pregnancy can put you at a higher risk for a number of health concerns, there may be some positive aspects as well. Talk to our experts at KIMS Cuddles to help you plan your pregnancy better.
*Information shared here is for general purpose Please take doctors’ advice before taking any decision.
