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Healthy Tips for Starting a Family in Your 30s or 40s
More women than ever are starting
families in their 30s and 40s. Most
have happy, healthy pregnancies and
children, even though many of these
moms are considered "high risk."
"Women ages 35 and older have a
slightly increased risk for some problems
during pregnancy," says Shirley
W. Tsong, M.D., a board certified
OB/GYN affiliated with Riverview
Medical Center. "These include high
blood pressure and gestational diabetes.
You're also somewhat more
likely than a younger woman to have
a baby born early, with birth defects,
or at a low birth weight."
Dr. Tsong advises taking these
actions to decrease your risk:
- Get at least 400 micrograms of
folic acid each day to prevent birth
defects — even before you get pregnant.
Eat fortified cereals or take a
multivitamin with this nutrient.
- See your doctor right away to
begin prenatal care. He or she will
tell you how often to come back
for checkups. Regular visits will
help your doctor detect and treat
any problems quickly.
- Stay at a healthy weight. You can
do this by eating right — stock
up on fruits, veggies, and whole
grains. Ask your doctor how to
exercise safely.
- Don't smoke, drink, or use illegal
drugs. These can cause long-term
harm to your child.
- Talk with your doctor about genetic
counseling and testing. Screening
procedures can help you assess
your baby's risk for birth defects
and make informed decisions.
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