Pregnancy in Mid Life

I'm Having a What?

Oops!  I thought I couldn't get pregnant!  I haven't had a period in a couple of months!  I didn't think I was ovulating anymore. 

I'm having a baby? 

Many women when they enter perimenopause get a little lax in the birth control department.  They believe they're too old to get pregnant, they're not ovulating, they're uterus is too old, or they don't have sex often enough to worry about it.  WRONG!  During perimenopause there will be months when you don't ovulate however, it is difficult to pinpoint exactly which months you are and which you aren't.

Of course, more and more women are deciding to wait to have a baby until they are older and more financially stable.  Though this may offer more challenges it seems to be a growing and acceptable trend. 

Either way, you are having a baby...so what now? 

As the risk of miscarriage is higher in women over age 40, it is important that you be in the best health you can.  Good health means following a heart healthy diet, getting blood pressure under control and balancing blood sugar. 

Of course, there is the babies health to consider as well.  Poorer egg quality as we age, may lead to genetic abnormalities, like Down syndrome.  And if the little bundle was an accident you should know that the chance of having twins or triplets goes up with the increase in age.  Although that may not be such a bad thing as they can keep each other company while you catnap! Here are a few suggestions for ensuring you are in the best of health for your baby and for dealing with pregnancy in midlife!