Q: Reports indicate that childbearing age among urban women in China is generally delayed. Is this trend clinically evident? President Zhang: Clinically, we do observe widespread delayed childbearing. Previously, women giving birth at obstetrics hospitals were predominantly around 25 years old. Now, it's common to see expectant mothers in their mid-30s. However, alongside this delay, another phenomenon exists: many women born in the 1980s are experiencing a noticeable resurgence in childbearing at an earlier age.On average, 30 seems to be the peak age for urban women choosing to fulfill their childbearing responsibilities. Q: Many urban career women choose to become mothers after 30 or even after 35. Is delaying childbearing significantly detrimental to health?Dr. Zhang: The optimal age for childbirth requires consideration from two perspectives. Physically, 28 is widely recognized as the ideal childbearing age. Psychologically, however, a slight delay can be beneficial for better managing labor and building confidence in the delivery process. Moreover, even individuals of the same chronological age may have differing health statuses. Therefore, age isn't an absolute standard. Those aspiring to motherhood should start maintaining their physical health now.As your magazine once highlighted in an article: Be a healthy woman and keep your body ready at all times.
${FDPageBreak}Q: How does current medical technology assist career women planning later pregnancies in achieving their ideal motherhood journey? Director Zhang: From a female perspective, the key to a healthy pregnancy lies in egg vitality.Many women understand the importance of protecting their health to maintain a youthful state. However, for those in their 30s who are not yet ready to have children, they should consider freezing some of their eggs for future use. For a woman, nothing is more heartbreaking than wanting to have a child at 40 only to be told by her doctor that she has missed her optimal fertility window.As an expert, I would much rather see a 42-year-old woman use eggs frozen in her 30s than have her rely on her body's aging, nearly expired eggs in her 40s. Q: How can birth defects be effectively avoided in advanced maternal age pregnancies? Director Zhang: The first step is pre-pregnancy health preparation.Quit smoking and drinking, adjust your diet, exercise appropriately, and undergo pre-pregnancy checkups. Begin taking folic acid 3–6 months in advance under medical guidance. If your occupation involves radiation or chemical exposure, seek early isolation. Only conceive after your body is fully optimized for health—that’s responsible parenting. Additionally, for conditions with familial inheritance patterns, genetic screening may be necessary. With medical assistance, you can nurture a healthy baby.Of course, establishing a medical record at a reputable hospital after conception and adhering to scheduled follow-ups and examinations as directed by your doctor are essential steps for a healthy pregnancy. Q: Are there better options for delivery methods today? Who do you think is suitable for painless childbirth? Director Zhang: An increasing number of mothers are opting for painless childbirth. This is the least painful method of natural delivery and is suitable for most healthy mothers.Clinically, modern childbirth has become significantly safer, with more options available to reduce labor pain. These include doula-assisted births with family support, nitrous oxide inhalation during labor, and water births. All these choices can help lessen the pain of childbirth, transforming it into a unique life experience. Q: With the current baby boom, maternity wards and delivery rooms are crowded. As a doctor, do you recommend home births? If choosing home birth, what precautions should be taken?Dr. Zhang: Unless the mother is multiparous (not a first-time mother) and has professional birth support personnel assisting, I do not recommend expectant mothers choose home birth for convenience. Since the 1990s, our country has advocated for hospital births. After all, hospitals are places where comprehensive medical resources are concentrated, making them a safer choice for both mother and child.