Information:
Pregnancy after 40!

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Please note: The information on this page is general and in no way replaces consultation with a health professional. Whereas every effort is made to ensure accuracy and relevance this in no way replaces seeing a Health Professional.
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Being over 40 and having a baby. There’s plenty to look forward to and think about, such as the benefits of being an older mother with life skills and experiences that will benefit your growing child and complementing their emotional development. You know yourself better than when you were 20
Most women over 40 have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies. But there are some thing you need to think about, and you’ll want to be sure to get good antenatal care. Contact Dr. Petrina here for options with no commitment here.
Antenatal care is an important way to keep yourself and your growing baby healthy. The aim is to provide advice, answer questions, deal with any fears and help you prepare for the birth.
Antenatal care for mature women is largely the same as for younger women. But there are a few things that are more common for women over 40. 
Older women are more likely than others to:
  • have a miscarriage
  • have placenta praevia, in which the placenta develops in the wrong part of the uterus
  • have high blood pressure, Pre-eclampsia or gestational diabetes
  • go into premature labour
  • have twins or even triplets
So good antenatal care is even more important.
As with any women who is pregnant, you’ll discuss:
  • a healthy diet
  • folic acid and vitamin D supplements
  • quitting smoking, Alcohol and recreational drugs
  • screening tests
  • anything that runs in your family
  • what you might be worried about
  • any illnesses or conditions you have
  • anything else that is important to you.
You might also want to talk about other aspects of your life such as exercise, work, sleep or travel.
You can also discuss your plans for your birth and, as the time gets closer, put those plans into action.
Genetic conditions
Older women (>35yrs) are also more likely than others to have a child with a genetic condition such as Down syndrome.
It is worth talking to your doctor or midwife about the chances of problems, and what you would like to do about it.
There are tests you can have, but none of them are compulsory – they’re a personal choice.
If you want, you can have screening tests, such as an early ultrasound and/or a blood test.
And if it looks like there might be a problem, you can have a diagnostic test such as chorionic villus sampling and amniocentesis.
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You can also arrange to have genetic counselling, where a specialist counsellor talks to you about your family, about what might or might happen with your baby, and about how you might handle the situation.
For more information and advice Contact Dr. Petrina HERE.

Remember Contact Dr. Petrina or your midwife if you have any questions or concerns.

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  • Home
  • About
  • Petrinas' Blog
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • FAQ's
  • Information
  • Information for Doctors.
  • Information RANZCOG leaflets.
  • Logo explained
  • Site Map
  • Useful Links