Fourth pregnancy: features of the course, possible risks

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

Today it is rare to find a couple who decide to have more than two babies. Despite this, there are still large families. At the same time, a woman faces not only the difficulties of upbringing. Many problems appear already during the period of gestation during the third and fourth pregnancies. In this article, we will tell you what a woman may face in this situation.

Features

The optimal reproductive period, according to most experts, ends after 30 years. At the same time, the fourth pregnancy in most of the fairer sex, as a rule, occurs at an older age. This significantly increases the risk of complications for the mother and child. Of course, it cannot be argued that all women over 30 will definitely face trouble after conception. However, it is necessary to register as soon as signs of a fourth pregnancy appear. It is good if, even before the onset of conception, it is possible to undergo a complete examination of the body. In this case, the risk of complications will be significantly reduced.

Pregnancy with a fourth child can be problematic if there is a predisposition to genetic complications. It is worth thinking about if previous babies were born with certain defects. Already in the early stages of pregnancy, it would be useful to be examined by a geneticist.

Each subsequent pregnancy is aggravated also if a Rh conflict is diagnosed. The most problematic blood type is the fourth negative. Pregnancy, if it occurs, can be interrupted at an early date. To avoid such a situation, a special immunoglobulin is administered intravenously to a woman.

Even if the previous periods of gestation passed without complications, it is recommended to register the expectant mother as early as possible. The optimal period is 7 weeks. An earlier examination will eliminate the risk of complications. If an ectopic pregnancy is diagnosed, the patient will be referred for surgery.

How is the fourth pregnancy different?

Each haunting pregnancy creates a serious burden for the female body. At the same time, unpleasant symptoms can develop in any system of life. A fourth pregnancy can lead to an exacerbation of chronic ailments. Features of this process consist in a more vivid manifestation of all unpleasant symptoms. A significant deterioration in well-being can be observed if a representative of the weaker sex decided to become a mother again closer to 40 years old.

The belly in the fourth pregnancy begins to increase significantlybefore. Already at the 10th week of pregnancy, others, as a rule, notice the interesting position of the expectant mother. Moreover, the size of the abdomen may be larger. In this case, the weight of the baby does not always matter. This is due to the fact that the abdominal muscles are already stretched, which allows the uterus to freely increase in size.

Interesting is the fact that a woman begins to guess about her position much earlier. Many future mothers even before the delay know that changes have occurred in their body. Movements are also observed much earlier during the fourth pregnancy. The expectant mother will feel the shocks closer to the 13th week of the gestation period.

Due to the fact that the risk of complications with each subsequent pregnancy increases significantly, the expectant mother is advised to follow a number of rules. It is strictly forbidden to lift weights. In this regard, the fourth pregnancy should be planned when the older children are already a little older. Any physical activity can lead to premature labor.

Fourth Pregnancy Delivery

The expulsion of the fetus in this situation also has its own characteristics. If the representative of the weaker sex complies with all the doctor's prescriptions, the fourth pregnancy will end with a successful birth. The symptoms that the baby has decided to be born can be blurry. Abdominal prolapse during repeated pregnancies is not always observed, and the mucous plug begins to move away just a few hours before the onset of labor. The need to collect a bag in the hospital may suggest a decrease in puffiness. What kindcan there still be harbingers of childbirth during the fourth pregnancy? Reviews show that a few hours before the baby is born, it becomes much easier to breathe. This is due to the advancement of the fetus to the cervix. Frees up space around the lungs.

Pregnancy with a fourth child often ends in rapid labor. It can take only half an hour from the start of the first contractions until the baby is born. In this case, there is a serious risk of complications for the life of the mother and child. The expectant mother may experience a rupture of the soft tissues of the birth canal. The baby may be diagnosed with intracranial hemorrhage. To avoid unpleasant consequences, towards the end of the fourth pregnancy, it is recommended to go to the hospital before the onset of contractions (closer to the 37th week).

With each re-pregnancy, the risk of weak labor activity also increases. In this case, the woman will feel intense contractions against the background of a slight opening of the cervix. In this case, the doctor may decide to stimulate labor by dripping "Oxytocin". If such actions do not show a good result, delivery will be carried out by caesarean section.

What week is the fourth birth?

The calculation of the timing of the onset of labor is influenced by many factors. At the same time, it does not always matter whether a woman is carrying the first baby or the fourth. The maturity of the baby is of great importance. Some babies are fully mature as early as 37 weeks. It often happens thatand at 41 weeks the baby is in no hurry to be born. In this case, the absence of labor activity may indicate hormonal disorders in the mother's body. If labor does not start at week 42, the doctor decides on stimulation. In this case, it is often enough to open the fetal bladder, as full-fledged contractions begin.

Artificial labor activity is carried out with extreme caution. The doctor makes sure that after attaching the dropper with Oxytocin, contractions come no more than once every 5-7 minutes. Stimulation often leads to rapid labor with subsequent complications.

If stimulation at 42 weeks of pregnancy does not show good results, labor does not occur, the baby is born through surgery.

The fourth pregnancy and childbirth is a serious test for a woman. The absence of contractions at the 40th week, pain in the lower abdomen, decreased fetal activity - all this may be a reason to go to the maternity hospital.

Features of the fourth multiple pregnancy

The risk of complications is significantly higher if two or more fetuses develop simultaneously in the womb. It is worth being under the close supervision of medical personnel when it comes to the fourth pregnancy. Fetal movements, an increase in the abdomen, a deterioration in well-being - all these signs will appear much earlier. A twin pregnancy puts a huge strain on the body. Starting from the middle of the second trimester, a woman almost alltime will be spent on conservation (in a hospital setting). This is the only way to avoid dangerous complications.

It is worth remembering that with multiple pregnancies, babies develop according to the principle of competition. Therefore, a woman must have enough strength so that both babies receive the necessary amount of nutrients. With age, the likelihood of carrying he althy babies in multiple pregnancies is significantly reduced. Already at the 6th week of the expectant mother, it is recommended to register.

Food deserves special attention. You will have to eat a little more than with a singleton pregnancy. It is worth remembering that the risk of obesity increases with age. It would be useful to contact a professional nutritionist who will develop a diet on an individual basis.

You should be prepared for the fact that labor activity in multiple pregnancies can begin much earlier.

How dangerous is childbirth at a late age

It should be understood that the fourth pregnancy after the age of 35 carries a certain risk to the he alth of the mother and unborn baby. Statistics show that children with Down syndrome are more likely to appear in old-bearing mothers. Every year, the risk of exacerbation of chronic pathologies will increase significantly, which can also affect the development of the fetus inside the womb.

Those who decide on a fourth pregnancy closer to the age of 40 should be prepared for spontaneous abortion. The risk of miscarriage increases significantly due to chromosomal defects in the fetus. Woman's bodythus getting rid of a child who is developing defectively.

After late pregnancy, problems with the placenta often appear. Chronic placental insufficiency often leads to premature birth. At the same time, the baby is born with pathologies.

Pregnancy immediately after childbirth

Signs of a fourth pregnancy may be blurred if a woman has recently given birth to a third baby and is breastfeeding. Often, the expectant mother finds out about her situation when the gestation period reaches 12 or more weeks. At the same time, it is already too late to terminate the pregnancy.

A serious threat arises primarily for the life of the unborn baby. The female body has not yet had time to fully recover. As a result, all the necessary substances will get to the baby in a limited amount. In addition, the mother's body is configured to feed the already born baby. With the fourth pregnancy immediately after the third, children may be born prematurely. If the child was born after the 30th week of pregnancy, he has every chance for a full life. He will be able to restore his strength thanks to artificial feeding.

The fourth pregnancy immediately after childbirth can cause a significant deterioration in the well-being of the expectant mother. The period of gestation in this case is quite difficult. A woman needs to make a decision, pay attention to an already born baby or completely entrust his relatives andsave a fourth pregnancy. It is possible that almost all nine months will have to be spent in a hospital for preservation.

If you can no longer give birth

For a difficult fourth birth, a specialist may recommend a woman to ligate the fallopian tubes. Surgical intervention is done if the representative of the weaker sex is no longer recommended to give birth. The intervention can be carried out in a gynecological clinic. At the same time, the likelihood of complications and side effects is minimized. The operation provides 98% protection against pregnancy. Despite this, the menstrual cycle is not disturbed, and the woman's libido does not suffer.

A full pregnancy cannot occur after surgery. However, there is always a risk of ectopic development of the fetal egg. If your period does not come on time and the test shows two lines, you need to seek help immediately.

In addition to the difficult fourth pregnancy, there are other indications for tubal ligation. These include: leukemia, severe diabetes mellitus, active hepatitis, kidney failure, advanced hypertension.

Preeclampsia

With each subsequent pregnancy, the risk of late toxicosis increases significantly. Preeclampsia is a pathological condition in which dangerous symptoms occur, such as edema, a significant increase in blood pressure, and a rapid deterioration in well-being. Such complications are observed in 20% of cases in the fourth pregnancy. ATthe most difficult cases develop eclampsia. This condition is characterized by seizures. A pregnant woman may fall into a coma. There is already a serious threat to the life of the expectant mother and child.

Dropsy is one of the first manifestations of late toxicosis. Initially, the woman begins to suffer from swelling of the arms and legs, then excess fluid appears in the lower abdomen. At a late stage of the pathological process, edema appears already on the face. Unpleasant symptoms develop against the background of a decrease in diuresis. In addition, a woman may have protein in her urine. Such a symptom will indicate a defective kidney function.

Dangerous is also considered a rapid increase in blood pressure. An increase in the diastolic index may indicate a decrease in placental circulation. The pathological process leads to oxygen starvation of the fetus. As a result, the baby may die or be born prematurely.

Women in their fourth pregnancy with gestosis must be hospitalized. Thanks to round-the-clock monitoring, it is possible to eliminate violations in the vital systems of the body. If the risk of eclampsia increases at a later date, the doctor decides to induce labor.

Summarize

The fourth pregnancy poses a serious threat to the life of the woman and the unborn baby. However, interrupting the life of the fetus is not worth it. If the expectant mother registers in a timely manner and follows all the instructions of a specialist, there are many chances to bear a he althy child without complications.