Childbirth at 37 years old: features, possible deviations, opinions of doctors

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Recently, there has been an increasing trend towards late pregnancy, so meeting a 35-year-old woman with a tummy is not surprising. We can say that childbirth at 37 and even a little after 40 has become a kind of trend. You can observe a clear pattern - the development of the country affects the age. The more developed the country, the older the woman in labor. Why is this happening?

Late pregnancy

In post-Soviet countries, some doctors still use the wording "old primiparous", only here women in labor are meant, whose age is not more than 28 years old and not younger than 26. However, more advanced gynecologists with the term "late pregnancy" correlate expectant mothers, who conceived a baby after 35.

Birth at 37 is more common in developed countries where the normal age to get pregnant is under 40. It plays a significant role here whether it is the first childbirth or not. If the child is the first, then the accuracy and alertness of the gynecologist is reasoned and understandable. However, if this is already the 3-4th baby, then the doctor’s excessive attentiveness can becomean irritant for a woman.

Pregnancy and childbirth at the age of 37 have their positive and negative sides. Late Conception Benefit:

• Stability in everything. By a more mature age, there is already a certain stable financial situation, as well as strong family relationships.
• Rejuvenation. Doctors say that during late pregnancy a woman becomes younger - this is influenced by the hormonal background, which literally colors and makes a woman only more attractive.
• Awareness. Psychologically, by the age of 35, a woman is already ready for pregnancy.

But where there are pluses, there are always minuses:

• Open bleeding.
• Premature birth.
• Diabetes mellitus in expectant mother.
• Exacerbation of chronic diseases.

As you can see, there are positive and negative sides, and three important aspects should not be forgotten: medical, social and psychological.

Is it possible to get pregnant at this age?

Pregnancy is always an exciting and wonderful time. However, for the first time, childbirth at 37 years old, according to doctors, is undesirable. The ideal age for conception and bearing a child is between twenty and thirty years. It is during this interval, according to statistics, that most of the pregnancies occur, because the female body is already mature and ready to endure and give birth to a he althy baby. Often, the expectant mother does not yet have serious chronic diseases that can be observed in old-timers.

Some women over 30 are veryseriously take the stage of planning a baby, the state of their body and nutrition. In order for childbirth at the age of 37, according to doctors, to go smoothly even at the planning stage, it is necessary to visit a gynecologist and pass all the prescribed tests. The probability of giving birth to a he althy baby after 35 will increase significantly if the expectant mother does not smoke or drink, monitors nutrition, takes a complex of vitamins in accordance with age, and does not stress her body and nervous system.

If pregnancy occurs at this late reproductive age, then you should not miss routine examinations and trips to the gynecologist to avoid complications and the development of malformations or congenital diseases in the child.

First Time Pregnancy

Not every woman manages to get pregnant before 35 naturally, so doctors often resort to the practice of artificial insemination. This method allows you to get pregnant, even if a woman is a little over 40. Based on statistics, you can see that caesarean deliveries at 37 years old are done very often, and the older the woman, the higher the likelihood of such a procedure. However, many doctors note that after 30 women do not experience such severe pain during contractions, moreover, they endure them much easier.

Second pregnancy

As a rule, pregnancy planning for the second time begins no earlier than two years after the first, if the first birth is at 37, then the second child will be born no earlier than 40. Secondchildbirth and the period of bearing a baby are slightly different from the first time. The psychological aspect plays a significant role here - the gestation period seems to be shorter (although, as statistics show, the second birth occurs in the same way, in rare cases 1-2 weeks earlier). The second baby, based on the same statistics, is larger than the first. The location of the abdomen when carrying a second child is lower due to the already slightly weakened muscles, which put increased pressure on the organs. Childbirth at 37 with a second pregnancy in most cases occurs naturally.

Third pregnancy

Traditionally, a woman in her early 30s has a planned pregnancy for the third time. Despite the experience that comes from two previous pregnancies, delivery can be slightly different.

Thirds tend to be sudden and swift. The prolapse of the abdomen in a woman can occur 2-3 hours before the onset of labor, in contrast to primiparas, in which the abdomen is displaced two (three) weeks before the scheduled day of delivery. The cervix during the third birth at the age of 37 opens faster, and the pain is minimized, it follows that the "training" contractions that are characteristic of the appearance of a baby for the first time may be absent. The expectant mother should listen to the body and respond to the slightest changes in it.

Previous births have already prepared the birth canal, so their opening is much faster and the "elasticity" is much better, which reduces the risk of injuring the baby. It is not excluded the appearance of secondary generic weakness, in other words,cessation of fights. The consequences are fetal hypoxia. The obstetrician taking delivery decides whether to perform a caesarean or not. The process itself proceeds faster, on average, its duration is 6-7 hours, of which about 5-6 hours are contractions, and attempts do not exceed an hour, sometimes even a few minutes.

Complications with a third child

With 3 births at 37, there may be risks or complications in the postpartum period. The most severe consequences that a woman may face include bleeding, as well as endometritis. Due to the age-related decrease in the elasticity of tissues during childbirth, injuries, separation of the membranes, or abnormal contraction of the uterus are possible. These factors can affect heavy bleeding, which is dangerous for the he alth and even life of the mother.

Endometritis is an inflammation of the lining of the uterus. A decrease in contractility affects the secretions: they are delayed, creating a wonderful environment for the development of infections. The disease can be detected only a week after childbirth, the symptoms are pain in the lower abdomen, high fever.

The venous system also changes with age, so hemorrhoids, varicose veins, varicose veins and even iron deficiency anemia are no exception. According to statistics, these diseases are present in a woman after the first birth, and after the third time they progress. The constantly changing hormonal background can confuse even the most experienced woman in labor. Recall how labor begins:

• Baby behavior. Before the birth itself, the child may"calm down" and prepare to appear in this world.
• Bleeding.
• Amniotic fluid.
• Sagging belly. However, not all multiparous women note the fact of abdominal prolapse.

Pregnancy for the third time is both different and not from the previous ones, everything seems to be so familiar, but at the same time, the body is physically and psychologically ready. It is worth remembering that these same harbingers may not be present during the third birth, so the only advice to the expectant mother is to listen to your body very well and have everything you need for yourself and your baby to go to the hospital right away. Pre-pregnancy:

• Pump your abs.
• Kegel exercises. This is a workout for the muscles of the vagina.
• Contrast shower for the last couple of months of pregnancy.
• You may need to wear a tummy tuck during pregnancy.

As a rule, the scheduled date of delivery usually does not coincide with the actual day X: the muscles during the third pregnancy at this age are not so strong, it is already difficult for them to hold the baby. Don't worry that the process started two or three weeks early. Get ready.

Psychological side

A woman's perception of pregnancy affects the overall physical condition of the expectant mother. When giving birth at the age of 37, the opinion of doctors is unanimous in the following: the age, if you want to give birth to a child, is far from being in the first place, even if this is the first baby in the family. Even though pregnancy has occurredafter 35 years, the expectant mother receives so many positive emotions that they help her go through a difficult period of motherhood. All this provided that there is a desire to have a baby or baby.

Sometimes desire is interrupted by numerous fears, which affects the appearance of a depressive state due to an unfulfilled goal. Depression, like a chain reaction, contributes to a sharp deterioration in he alth and exacerbation of hereditary diseases. Among other things, during the decline of the emotional state, the development of endocrine and autoimmune abnormalities is not excluded.

When pregnant with the second, third and subsequent children, slightly different rules apply, because the woman has already tried what it is. The readiness and decision to give birth to a child is caused by the non-completion of the reproductive age and the unwillingness to be left without a baby at all. This is a thoughtful and balanced decision. Due to the fact that relations with a partner and in the family have already fully developed by this time, there is experience in raising a child (or children) and all the pitfalls are already known, from the psychological side, it is much easier for a woman to decide on this again. Especially when there is more than one child in the family, parents' anxiety is less pronounced, which contributes to a more relaxed mood.

Socio-economic factor

From the point of view of medicine, he alth includes a combination of physical, psychological and material well-being, therefore, the socio-economic factor is not the last in childbirth in 37years. Just at this age, the financial side of the family is already established and quite strong. There are funds to fulfill all the nutritional whims of the future mother, and if necessary, undergo expensive treatment or pay for pregnancy management, a comfortable single ward with all the conditions and childbirth in commercial medical organizations.

But what about work? The age of 35-40 years is a period of professional achievements in a career. The woman has already achieved certain goals and occupied a certain position, which is important, because after leaving maternity leave she will not have to climb back to this peak. However, caring for a baby is still a break, and a rather big one, because not all families can hire a nanny. Not necessarily due to financial difficulties. It is psychologically very difficult to give the baby, whom she carried under her heart for 9 months, gave birth and cared for him, to an unfamiliar woman.

With a highly paid prestigious job before pregnancy, a woman's career growth may stop. Especially if the employee is required to keep abreast of constantly changing technologies. Here it is worth weighing the pros and cons even before the conception of the baby.

Late pregnancy is a woman's personal choice. No one can influence her decision. And even the opinion of doctors is not always the ultimate truth. However, the expectant mother needs to carefully weigh all the risks so that her choice is right.

It is better to be prepared for the fact that during the bearing and breastfeeding of the baby, the financial situation in the family will be precarious, there will be difficulties inrestoration to work, when the child will be left with someone or he will go to kindergarten. Sometimes a mother has to look for a new job, which is a little difficult after 40. A late child is primarily a woman's choice. Neither husband nor relatives can influence her. And even a medical opinion during childbirth at the age of 37 is not decisive.

Doctors and mothers

Medical opinion during childbirth at 37 is ambiguous. Some are convinced that such childbirth can affect the appearance of prolonged depression or, even worse, age will increase the risk of abnormalities in the unborn baby. While others say that at this age it is imperative to become pregnant. Indications for conceiving a baby after 35 are:

• vegetovascular dystonia.
• cyst;
• fibroadenoma;
• myoma;
• endometriosis;
• mastopathy.

According to a study by American scientists, babies who were born to women over 34-35 years old grow up more adapted to social life, less prone to illness, more talented and quick-witted compared to other children of their age. Scientists note that during this period a woman is better aware of her role than at 20-25 years old, mothers are more attentive to their children, but at the same time calmer and more patient. Childbirth at the age of 37 has different reviews, but basically it all comes down to one fact: the main thing is the mood of the expectant mother. Both doctors and women in labor speak about this.

Dangers of Late Pregnancy

Carrying and childbirtha baby after 35 years of age may have complications. First of all, the following medical problems are possible:

• difficult pregnancy;
• gestational diabetes mellitus;
• complicated postpartum period;
• exchange imbalance;
• chronic disease detection;
• Chromosomal abnormalities in baby;
• complications during childbirth.

It is not necessary that every woman at 37 will experience some or all of these problems when she gives birth. For some women in labor, the entire pregnancy is easy, even easier than in 20-year-old girls. But it's better to know what to expect in order to prevent all possible consequences and visit a doctor in a timely manner.

Difficult pregnancy. In this case, everything is ambiguous and it is difficult to identify any one reason. Of course, at the age of 25, the general condition of the body and activity are higher, and any complications are perceived differently. Pregnant women after 35 often notice fatigue, susceptibility to depression and apathy. Sometimes, in response to a strong load, the body succumbs to various diseases. Severe toxicosis or oligohydramnios is possible, as well as premature detachment of the placenta.

According to reviews, in the first birth at the age of 37, it is better to avoid even the usual SARS, since any viral diseases or weakened immunity can cause an exacerbation of chronic diseases. The higher the age of the expectant mother, the more various pathologies she has, and frequent colds affect the launch of microflora that negatively affects the baby. As a result, unpleasant sensations in the throat, a runny nose that does not go away,enlarged lymph nodes, chronic pharyngitis.

Childbirth at 37 is not at all scary and still exciting. The main thing is to listen to your body and take care of yourself. Before conception, visit the clinic to treat everything that the doctor reveals and give birth to a he althy baby.