The Shandong Population and Family Planning Regulation Amendment stipulates: Moving forward, the Family Planning Service Handbook will adopt a first-contact responsibility system to eliminate disputes between registered and current residence authorities. The elimination of the second-child birth interval requirement stands as the amendment's most significant highlight.
Since the 1988 enactment of the Shandong Family Planning Regulation, the province has enforced a policy requiring mothers to be at least 30 years old for a second child.
With societal progress and evolving family planning dynamics, birth interval policies warrant appropriate relaxation.With societal progress and evolving population dynamics, the birth spacing policy may be appropriately relaxed.
Wang Junjun, Director of the First Obstetrics Department at Gaomi People's Hospital, explains that advanced maternal age leads to declining bodily functions, posing risks to both mother and baby. Therefore, she advocates for women to conceive within an optimal age range.
Who qualifies as an older mother?
Older mothers generally refer to pregnant women over 30 years old. Scientifically, pregnancy is best recommended around ages 25-30, as this is more beneficial for both the fetus and the mother.
What risks do older mothers face?
1. Increased risk of fetal abnormalities
Cui Shihong, Chief Obstetrician at the Provincial Maternal and Child Health Hospital, explains that advanced maternal age increases the likelihood of giving birth to a child with abnormalities. As a woman ages, her eggs deteriorate. Once eggs deteriorate, the probability of chromosomal abnormalities during fertilization and cell division rises, leading to a higher risk of birth defects.Cui Shihong states that the optimal childbearing age for women is before 30. While one in over 700 births occurs with a birth defect among younger mothers, this rate rises to one in over 200 births for older mothers. After age 40, the risk increases to one in over 60 births. Additionally, older pregnancies carry a higher risk of miscarriage compared to younger pregnancies. Data indicates that the miscarriage rate for women of optimal childbearing age is 12%, while it reaches 31% for older mothers.
2. Increased Risk of Pregnancy Complications
Cui Shihong explained that gestational hypertension is more common among older mothers. If a mother develops hypertension during pregnancy, the fetus may grow in a chronically oxygen-deprived environment, resulting in low birth weight and physical weakness. Many such infants require emergency care after birth.Doctors generally strive to treat hypertension in pregnant women. If it cannot be controlled, termination of pregnancy may be necessary, as unchecked hypertension can lead to cerebrovascular accidents in the mother, posing a life-threatening risk.
Cui Shihong noted that bodily fluids increase during pregnancy, placing a significantly greater burden on the heart. If a woman's cardiac function was already compromised before pregnancy, pregnancy can likely exacerbate her cardiac discomfort.
Advanced maternal age also heightens the risk of gestational diabetes. This stems from two factors: first, age-related declines in glucose tolerance; second, the increased susceptibility to obesity around middle age, which itself predisposes women to diabetes. Gestational diabetes frequently leads to macrosomia (excessively large babies), and newborns may experience hypoglycemia.
3. Slower Postpartum Recovery
Hu Mengcai, Director of the Postpartum Recovery Center at the Provincial Maternal and Child Health Hospital, explains that for older mothers, pregnancy risks don't end with childbirth. After delivery, their bodies recover more slowly than those of younger mothers—this includes skin, body shape, and the reproductive system.
Cui Shihong notes that breastfeeding becomes a significant challenge for older mothers postpartum. "While a mother's ability to lactate doesn't diminish with age, the quality of breast milk may decline due to the mother's reduced physical condition."
Essential Tests for Older Mothers
In addition to routine prenatal checkups, older mothers must undergo targeted screenings such as: • Fetal nuchal translucency scan to detect chromosomal abnormalities, particularly Down syndrome; • Amniocentesis to screen for various fetal chromosomal disorders (including Down syndrome);Chorionic villus sampling for cytogenetic diagnosis, genetic analysis, and screening for congenital biochemical metabolic disorders. Follow your obstetrician's guidance regarding the optimal gestational week for each specific test.
Secondly, expectant mothers should maintain a regular lifestyle, abstain from smoking and alcohol, and limit coffee and tea consumption. Additionally, minimize exposure to radiation by reducing use of computers, mobile phones, microwaves, and television viewing.
Furthermore, appropriate exercise is absolutely beneficial for older expectant mothers, helping to regulate mental well-being while preparing the body for optimal pregnancy conditions.