Since the body declines as we age, doctors have always cautioned that pregnancy is riskier the older a woman gets. However, it is still possible to have a successful pregnancy into your 40s and even 50s these days—celebrities such as KeKe Wyatt, Kandi Burruss and Naomi Campbell, J. Lo are proof. But did you know that conceiving a child at the age of 35 puts you in the category of “geriatric”?
I know, I know. Looking back in retrospect, the girls who started their families immediately after high school might have been on to something. Nonetheless, it is still possible to get pregnant in your mature years and thrive without totally comprising your goals and aspirations.
If you’re a woman of a certain age who wants to get a bun in the oven in a year or two, now’s the time to assess your fertility situation and map out a pregnancy plan. Here are 6 tips to getting preggo after 35.
Take a look down under
Get a preconception check at your earliest convenience. This is your opportunity to get insight on the quality of your eggs and talk to your doctor about your health history, previous and current medications, as well as health information pertaining to your partner. Keep in mind that honesty is the best policy and there’s no need to be ashamed of sharing your sexual history or previous miscarriages and abortions. The more candid you are, the more support your OBGYN can provide on your baby journey.
Treat your current issues
Once your doctor gives you the rundown of your health, continue to be proactive and treat any health issues such as depression, diabetes, high blood pressure, etc. It’s also important to visit your dentist because oral hygiene plays a role in having a healthy pregnancy.
Pop your vitamins daily
Physicians recommend that aspiring mommies take a multivitamin with 400 micrograms of folic acid each day. Folic acid is a vitamin that every cell in your body needs for healthy growth and development. Taking folic acid before and during early pregnancy can help prevent birth defects in your baby’s brain and spine, as well as mouth defects such as a cleft lip and palate.
Ditch the bad habits
I know you like to sip your Crown Royal and stuff, but it’s time to put that kind of bottle down, mama! But seriously, if you’re planning a pregnancy at this stage in life, one has to conclude that having a baby is something you truly desire and a matter of importance. So with that being said, nixing smoking and drinking should be a miniscule sacrifice. Seek professional help for addictions to prescription and street drugs.
Get down to a healthy weight
This will be a big step toward your baby bump journey AND snapping back after the bundle of joy arrives. You’re more likely to have health problems during pregnancy if you’re overweight (and underweight in some cases). To get to a healthy weight before you get pregnant, start an exercise routine that will help you subtract those extra pounds, in addition to eating the right foods. If working out is already something you dread, find fun physical activities like dance fitness or walking with a girlfriend.
Block stress like *67
Whatever triggers your anxiety, anger, or depression make like Elsa and let it go–especially if it’s a another human being. For everything else, find a therapist and implement prayer to help you develop healthy coping mechanisms because stress is a silent killer that depletes your physical and mental health. According to statistics, 20-30% of geriatric pregnancies result in miscarriage, and stress can certainly cause complications that lead to losing a fetus.
Would you have a geriatric pregnancy? Or do you feel it’s too late to think about babies?
