“What age is best for a woman to get pregnant and start a family?” I asked myself this question as I approached my 30s because I was constantly reminded that “time doesn’t wait for a woman.” Most ladies within the Black community who are in or close to their 30s can relate to this.
As you grow older, senior family members and friends may begin to pressure you to get married and start a family because they are afraid you may not be able to give birth when you are much older. You’re not alone. A 2016 article by Women’s Health and a 2017 article by Vanguard News highlighted the intense pressure women in the Black community go through when they don’t have any children and remain unmarried in their 30s. The primary factor for this pressure from friends and family is FERTILITY.
Infertility is a major issue that hits Black women harder than our white counterparts. There are real reasons why this is happening:
- Many Black women face barriers when trying to get the healthcare they need. They might not have access to the same quality of reproductive services as others
- Black women are more likely to deal with certain health conditions that can affect their fertility, like fibroids, endometriosis, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- The stress and pressure of living in a society that’s not always fair or equal can also take a toll on fertility
- Increased exposure to environmental toxins and stressors can also play a role in infertility
For women considering motherhood, time is not always on our side when giving birth. Often, we face mountains of career aspirations, personal readiness, and even health concerns while juggling the idea of getting married and giving birth. But is there any consequence of wanting to give birth much later in life as a woman? We will look at what science and health experts say about this.
The Perfect Age for Having Children: What Does Science Say?
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the peak period for women to conceive is between their late teens and 20s. At this age, women produce more quality and quantity of eggs. However, as we get to 30, our ability to get pregnant starts to decline because the quality and quantity of our eggs decline as we get older.
When a woman is 35 years old, she is said to be in her advanced maternal age. Findings by Your Fertility show that women’s fertility is lower by 30% at this age. By age 40, this will go up to 53%. However, the problem isn’t just about the difficulty of getting pregnant. The real issue comes during and after pregnancy.
Various findings from the Cleveland Clinic, National Library of Medicine, and ACOG show that at advanced maternal age, women are at an increased risk of having stillbirth, miscarriage, premature birth/low birth weight, gestational diabetes, and preeclampsia. But that’s not all. At this age, the chances of giving birth through C-section also increase.
Bear in mind that, from 35 years and above, the chances of having multiple births increases. According to the NHS, advanced maternal age is one of the leading factors responsible for giving birth to twins or more.
In some women, older maternal age can increase the risk of many birth defects and complications during pregnancy, especially in Black women. Let’s take a look at some of these birth defects:
- Congenital heart defects: Children of older mothers are at risk of having congenital heart defects like Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD), and Atrioventricular Septal Defect (AVSD). On top of that, Black infants are more prone to these heart defects than their white counterparts.
- Down syndrome (Trisomy 21): The risk of Down syndrome increases with maternal age. Although younger White women are more at risk of this than their Black counterparts, this risk increases after 35 or above 40.
- Polydactyly: As a woman over 40, you are more likely to birth babies with extra fingers or toes. Unfortunately, this condition is mostly found in Black families.
- Cleft lip and cleft palate: As you get older, your baby’s risk of having cleft lip or cleft palate increases significantly if you belong to the Black community.
- Hydrocephalus: According to research, babies born to Black women over 40 are at a higher risk of having excess fluid build-up in their brain.
- Clubfoot: The exact cause of this condition, which turns the baby’s foot inward or downward, isn’t clear as some researchers attribute it to genetics and environmental factors. However, it seems to be more common in babies born to women of older maternal age.
How to Increase Your Chances of Giving Birth to a Healthy Baby
Many women desire motherhood despite knowing that it comes with a considerable price. If you are a woman over 45 years old considering getting pregnant, here are things you need to do to give birth to a healthy baby.
1. Ask yourself hard questions.
It is true that women quickly forget pregnancy pains once the baby arrives, but I can tell you for free that 9 months of pregnancy is the longest nine months you will ever experience. Hence, you must ask yourself:
- Am I emotionally and physically ready to bring a child into this world?
- Can I have access to standard prenatal care?
- Can I handle challenges associated with pregnancy at an advanced age?
If your answer to these questions is not “YES,” it means you should probably reconsider because the chances of having a congenital disability will increase.
2. Regular check-up.
Regular checks are essential for women who are considering having children or who are already pregnant. According to Women and Infants, gynecological exams and fertility assessments can help you get pregnant quickly when you are ready as a woman.
In contrast, prenatal checks help you deliver a healthy baby if you are already pregnant, according to the US Office of Women’s Health.
3. Healthy lifestyle.
Healthline and Tommy said that a balanced diet, regular exercise, and ensuring you do not smoke or take alcohol can help women get pregnant and give birth to healthy babies.
For centuries, age has been a determining factor in women’s ability to conceive and give birth to healthy babies. Modern medicine has helped women outside the natural age to conceive quickly, but this comes with a price. Aside from the adverse effect on the mother, the babies may be born with congenital heart defects, Down syndrome, polydactyly, cleft lip and cleft palate, hydrocephalus, and clubfoot.
Elevate Black Health encourages women who are considering having a baby at an older age to really think it through. Having a child at such age can affect you and your baby mentally, physically, and financially. Take the time to weigh your options before making a decision.
To learn more, visit:
https://www.womenshealthmag.com/relationships/a19906755/pressure-to-get-married-at-30
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/01/societal-beliefs-pressurise-single-ladies-marriage-certain-age
https://www.yourfertility.org.au/everyone/age
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22438-advanced-maternal-age
https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/finding-out/pregnant-with-twins
https://www.womenshealth.gov/pregnancy/youre-pregnant-now-what/prenatal-care-and-tests
https://fertility.womenandinfants.org/treatment/female-fertility-tests
https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/healthy-pregnancy
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/states/topics/maternalhealth.html
https://www.marchofdimes.org/complications/birth-defects
