Geriatric Pregnancy: Breaking the Stigma of Having a Baby Later in Life

pregnancy

For some women, starting a family is an exciting and fulfilling life goal. However, biological clocks don’t always match our life plans, and women may want children later in life.

Geriatric pregnancy, also known as advanced maternal age (AMA), is a term that comes with a lot of stigmas and negativity. What are the risks and benefits of a geriatric pregnancy? And how can we change the conversation around having a baby in later years?

No matter how old you are, making healthy choices is vital for fertility and pregnancy. While you can control genetics and age, you can ensure optimal health.

Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices Helps You Control What You Can

Eating healthy ensures your body has the nutrients for a healthy pregnancy and reduces the severity of nausea and fatigue. Plus, it enhances the potential for establishing a viable breastfeeding relationship.

Nutrition

Talk to your doctor about any vitamins or supplements they suggest for pregnancy health.

Vitamins

Exercise

Exercise can help reduce stress, improve overall health, and eventually ease labor pains.

Negative attitudes toward older mothers are still surprisingly widespread despite the many advances in medicine and science that make geriatric pregnancies much safer than they used to be.

Breaking the Stigma Around Geriatric Pregnancy

The term “geriatric pregnancy” can make women feel anxious, ashamed, or embarrassed about their pregnancy age. It can create guilt or pressure to have a baby earlier in life. But women of all ages can have healthy and successful pregnancies.

Age is Just a Number

Rather than listening to harsh judgments or worrying about others’ thoughts, have an honest conversation with your obstetrics doctor about what to expect. Struggles with infertility, miscarriage, and beyond can happen at any age- so don’t let these scare you.

Doing Life on Your Own Terms at Any Age

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