Delayed motherhood is becoming very common as women are getting more career-oriented, but one must know that the risks of a late pregnancy are linked to both the mother and the child. A middle aged woman finds bearing her pregnancy difficult, and later on caring for the child gets tiring for her. One must be on the lookout for early symptoms after the age of 35, because of the increased risks attached. The chances of complications during pregnancy nearly double from 10.37 percent for women in the age group 20-29 years to more than 23 percent for women in the age group of 35-39 years.

Let Us Have A Look At The Risks Linked With A Late Pregnancy –

Genetic diseases are more common in late pregnancies. The probability that your baby will get Down’s syndrome or Patau’s syndrome or other chromosomal abnormalities gets very high if you conceive after the age of 40. In many such cases, one might have to terminate the pregnancy, after conducting screening tests.

Late mothers suffer from fibroids, diabetes and high blood pressure. Moreover, since their skin loses its elasticity due to their age, it may affect the mother later on.

Women with a belatedly pregnancy are also at a higher risk of developing breast cancer. Other associated risks are miscarriages, stillbirths and an increased risk of death of the mother after labor.

The duration of labor is longer in case of delayed pregnancy and you are also at an increased risk of giving birth to twins or triplets. Many ladies need to be given induced labor. The rate of caesarean section as well as forceps delivery also increases.

Preeclampsia (very high blood pressure) is a significant risk of a late pregnancy. It can lead to seizures, renal and liver complications, even leading to death of the mother. Babies of such mothers are premature or with stunted growth, and later on face problems in social adjustment.

Fetal growth restriction or what can simply be stated as an undernourished baby occurs due to placenta problems (low lying placenta) in older women. This inhibits the passage of nutrition to the fetus. In the long run, such a baby suffers from heart problems, high blood pressure, diabetes and many more health problems.

Another risk associated with it is a premature baby caused due to instant preterm labor, which can lead to death of both the baby and the mother. Premature babies have other growth problems in the afterward stages of their life.

At present, there is no kind of screening test that can detect which late pregnancies will develop such type of complications. The best way out is to go in for regular prenatal tests with a doctor. Although, many problems crop up suddenly, but at least they can be detected early, and the risk of further severe complications can be cut down if not eliminated.

Doctors advise that the best age for bearing a child is before you turn 33 years, so that you can safely avoid the risks related to it. However if for certain unavoidable reasons you are a late mother then go in for pregnancy tests that might help assess your risks for probable diseases. Besides, precautions may also help you cut down on the risks associated with a late pregnancy period.