D#12, HW#8 -- Rough draft.

Summer Bretz
11/14/09
English 102
Section# 24271
Bretz-WP#3 rough draft

Is Pregnancy an Option After 35?

The ability to create life and start a family is not a decision that is taken lightly by most women. There are lots of risks and requirements that pregnant women face. They have to constantly monitor their diet and water intake to make sure that the baby is getting all of the nutrients that are required. There are risks involved with any pregnancy such as high blood pressure, low birth weight, miscarriages, and moms may develop diabetes. Delivery has it’s risks as well; such as, cesarean deliveries are much harder on a woman’s body than natural delivery. Once delivery happens there are many possibilities of birth defects for the baby as well.
The number of women waiting until later in life to have children rises every year. Women are exploring career options or getting a degree before they are settling down. This new trend sounds like the perfect scenario, women can enjoy their 20’s, go to college, have a career, and the n be more stable in life when they start a family. Unfortunately, there are many downsides to this theory as well. Women experience many more complications during pregnancy after the age of 30 than women in their 20’s do. The controversy revolves are if it’s smart to wait to have children or if it’s just selfish. Women over the age of 35 should be aware of the high risks because doctors say that risks increase after the age of 35 and even if a woman is healthy chromosomal diseases in newborns are increased.
Risk factors for older moms are increased chances of diabetes, hypertension, preeclampsia, heart disease, kidney problems, abruptio placenta, placenta previa, cesarean section, cancer, and maternal death. Hypertension and preeclampsia are both shown by extensive swelling in the mothers that increases rapidly in all parts of the body. The only way to stop the swelling is for the baby to be delivered. Preeclampsia in pregnant women can also be the cause of the cause of increased heart disease in women. Kidney problems can complicate a pregnancy if a person already had kidney problems prior to pregnancy. The kidney problems by themselves can create a lot of other risks; such as, hypertension, high blood pressure, premature labor, and miscarriage. Abruptio placenta is the separation of the placenta (the organ that nourishes the fetus) from the site of uterine implantation before delivery of the fetus. Once this organ is detached from the mother the baby can no longer receive nutrients from it. In a normal pregnancy the placenta does not detach until the baby is being delivered. Placenta previa is a complication of pregnancy in which the placenta (organ that nourishes baby) grows in the lowest part of the womb (uterus) and covers all or part of the opening to the cervix. This causes blood loss and bed rest, but the placenta generally will move for delivery. Cesarean section is delivery through surgery due to complications with vaginal delivery. Most complications are related to age because as time goes on women are likely to have medical problems before becoming pregnant, and each ailment gives way to another.
Cesarean Section can be a way of delivery for any women if there are complications with delivery. There are many reasons why ceserean delivery may be necessary, and the purpose is to get the baby out of any distress. Recovery for mothers after a cesarean delivery takes longer than a traditional vaginal delivery. Losing “baby weight” may also take longer due to exercise and diet restrictions given by the doctor. A study done by Jeffrey Peipert MD and Michael Bracken PhD in 1993 concludes that “Maternal age appears to be an independent risk factor for cesarean delivery. The reasons for this clinical important and statistically significant increased risk are unclear but may be due to physician and patient concern over pregnancy outcome in older women.”
Preterm delivery is a huge concern regarding the babies health. 40 weeks is the standard length of time for pregnancy. Any delivery before 40 weeks is considered preterm delivery. If a baby is born before 36 weeks their lungs haven’t fully developed yet. If a baby is born any time before the 36 week mark comes the baby is at risk for low birth weight. If a baby is not big enough to survive or it’s organs are not developed yet they will suffer and possibly die. Studies show that 6% of mothers ages 26-30 have low birth weight babies and 8% preterm delivery. Women ages 31-35 have a 6.8% chance of having a low birth weight baby and 9.2% chance of preterm delivery. Statistics jump to 7.9% for low birth weight babies in mothers 36-40, and 10.9% chance of preterm delivery. (Delpisheh, Ali PhD; Brabin, Loretta PhD; Attia, Eman MD; Brabin, Bernard FRCP©. P.965)
Chances of having babies with chromosomal abnormalities are increased for older mothers. Down syndrome is the most common type of chromosomal abnormality found in mothers of advanced maternal age. A study found on the MUSC Children’s Hospital website show that a woman’s chances of having a baby with down syndrome ages 25-29 are 1 in 1,100 and 1 in 385 children with any abnormality. Women at age 35 have a 1 in 350 chance of having a baby with down syndrome and a 1 in 178 chance of having a baby with any abnormality. Chances heighten more giving 1 in 100 chance of having a baby with down syndrome and 1 in 63 chance of having a baby with any abnormality for mothers at age 40.
Current textbook descriptions of down syndrome Give statistics stating that women under the age of 30 are 1 in 3,000 and jumps significantly to 1 in 300 in the 35-39 age group and 1 to 9 at age 48. (Tortora, Gerard; Derrickson, Bryan; p. 1169). Down syndrome is characterized with flat profile, broad skull, slanted eyes, large tongue, and a round head as the facial features. Sexual maturity is rarely attained in people with down syndrome. Life expectancy is shorter due to kidney defects, suppressed immune system, and malformations of the heart, ears, hands, and feet. (Principles of Anatomy and Physiology, p. 1169).
Fetal death is also listed as a risk of having a baby at a later age in life. A study done by Ruth Fretts, MD; and Robert Usher MD state that “Women 35 years of age or older had approximately one in 440 births end in unexplained fetal death, compared to one in 1,000 births for women younger that 35.” What contributes to causes in fetal death are unknown; leaving the prevention unknown as well. Doctors can do advanced screenings and testing, but without any explanation or medical study there is no way to prevent fetal death.