The nationwide relaxation of the two-child policy has brought immense joy to many families with only one child, as everyone seeks to take advantage of this policy to have a second, legally recognized child. However, age has become a significant hurdle for many older mothers. It is widely known that pregnancy after age 35 carries greater risks than for younger mothers. Not only are miscarriages, premature births, and birth defects more likely, but the risk of developing dangerous pregnancy complications also increases significantly.Obstetricians at Jilin Guojian Maternity Hospital emphasize that older mothers must overcome four major hurdles to achieve a successful delivery.Statistics show that the miscarriage rate for women of prime childbearing age is 12%, while it rises to 31% for older mothers. A key reason for this is that egg quality declines with age, increasing the likelihood of abnormalities in older women's eggs. Following the natural principle of survival of the fittest, fetuses with defects may result in spontaneous miscarriage.
2. Risk of pregnancy complications.As women age, many develop chronic conditions without realizing it. Mothers over 35, those who are overweight or obese before pregnancy, those with a history of impaired glucose tolerance, or those with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) face significantly higher risks of complications during pregnancy. These include gestational hypertension, placenta previa, preterm labor, premature rupture of membranes, gestational diabetes, and postpartum hemorrhage, compared to women of optimal childbearing age.Therefore, older mothers must undergo comprehensive pre-pregnancy health examinations.
3. Increased risk of fetal abnormalities. Genetically, children born to older mothers exhibit higher rates of congenital malformations. External factors like noise pollution, exhaust fumes, and microwave radiation can disrupt fertilized egg division. The older the mother, the greater the potential for external interference during cell division, increasing the likelihood of various pathological changes in the developing embryo.
Studies indicate that the incidence of Down syndrome is approximately 1 in 5,000 among mothers aged 25–29; 1 in 900 among those aged 30–34; 1 in 250 among those aged 35–39; and as high as 1 in 40 among mothers over 45.This is because women over 35 experience declining bodily functions, making the chromosomes carried by their eggs more prone to abnormalities that can cause fetal malformations. The probability of fetal abnormalities is approximately 10% higher than in younger pregnant women.The rate of difficult labor among older mothers is significantly higher than in other mothers. The proportion requiring assisted delivery methods such as cesarean sections or forceps delivery is over 20% higher than in non-older mothers. This is primarily due to the mother's advanced age, which reduces the elasticity of the soft birth canal and impairs the uterus's ability to contract effectively after delivery, making postpartum hemorrhage more likely.
Given the significant risks of advanced maternal age, doctors generally do not recommend subsequent pregnancies.However, if an older mother insists on conceiving, she must maintain a healthy lifestyle: avoid makeup, steer clear of tobacco, alcohol, and radiation. Ensure a nutritionally balanced diet and engage in appropriate exercise during pregnancy to aid delivery. Begin taking folic acid and supplements like Alkaline Baby Essentials three months before conception to reduce the risk of birth defects. Additionally, attend all scheduled prenatal checkups throughout pregnancy to promptly detect any abnormalities.