How do a couple over 40 have a child safely?

Question

MY wife and I would like to start a family

Answer 1

Nature allows it so you'll be fine
Have a look at this great website.........

good luck
http://www.mothersover40.com/

ps:forget all the negative replies, theyre a waste of time. take your challenges as you meet them.

Answer 2

Go for genetic counseling, first. Find out if there are any increased risks for birth defects or hereditary diseases, in your family. Second, remember that, for example, a 40% chance of a birth defect means there is a 60% chance that it won't occur. My wife was born when her mother was 40 and her dad was 48. As much as I'd like, I know better than to tease her about this being the reason that's she's "not quite right, somehow". My wife is not the youngest child, either. Neither my wife nor her sister have any genetic problems. They are both quite normal. Being a man, I sometimes cannot see women as normal, especially as far as their thinking goes, but that's what women say about us men, as well.

Answer 3

I am 55 and my youngest son is 16. My wife is 54.
I think it depends largely on your state of health. Of course the risks of defects such as Downs are known to be greater. You have to be willing to accept that risk (and other people have loved and raised Downs children) But the risks are still low and even with younger couples, things can go wrong. That's life.

The medical profession will class your wife as Elderly "Prima Gravida" (which means first pregnancy). If you are inclined to be nervous they will give you plenty of reasons to support that view. In my view many of those reasons (and the medical view of age) are based on outdated information. Lots of people are still young in themselves at 40. Our parents generation was different.

We chose to engage an independent midwife and not see a doctor at all. Even if you would not do that, I recommend changing doctor if yours has an unsupportive attitude. It may not affect the outcome but it will certainly make for a more pleasant and stress-free experience.

For me the bottom line to your question is that if you both (but especially your wife) are healthy and fit you have a good chance. If not, take the steps to be fit. Good nutrition is very important. Detoxing now will help reduce the likelihood of morning sickness. Being fit will help blood pressure and ability to cope with the physical strain of carrying the baby and increase its likelihood of optimum development.

You are probably aware that if you have a long history of being on the pill conception can be more difficult. Be patient and willing to surrender to the possibility that it might not work.

One pregnancy in four ends in miscarriage. This is normal, so don't panic.

Our experience was a good one, even though we ended up delivering by caesarian - so didn't entirely escape the doctors. That would have happened just the same at 25. We have a thriving teenager who started sixth form college yesterday.
Good luck

Answer 4

their is no safe way to have a baby, lots of people under 40 have babies that have something wrong with them, everybody that has a baby takes a risk no matter what their age is, but it has been proven when your over 40 their are alot more things could go wrong with your baby, but talk to your doctor about it and if u do get pregnant just make sure your wife stays off her feet and see thes doctor regularaly and hope for the best. any baby from god is a blessing. good luck and god bless

Answer 5

As per the medically if you are above 40 and then u increase the family than as per medical advice so less chance for the child safely

Answer 6

As soon as you know your wife is pregnant, contact a serious doctor and start making ecographies.
Make sure you get a Morphological Scan as soon as possible (usually after 2 and a half months) and a blood test for genetic risk.
If you have a high chance of having a defectuous fetus you can follow an abortion procedure within the next weeks before the fetus get bigger.

Answer 7

Make sure you and your wife get plenty of the vitamins and minerals you need to help this process. Your never guaranteed a healthy child but do every thing you can to give your body what it needs. Also buy a pregnancy book this will give you loads of advice before, during and after the event and also tell you what vits your partner needs. (Pregnacare is good) I hope everything works out for you.

Answer 8

In todays news there was a story about men over 40 having more autistic children than younger men..

Answer 9

Unfortunately, the safest bet at this point would be adoption. It really isn't very safe or easy for a woman in her 40's to have a baby on her own.
Sorry :-(

Answer 10

There are so many people these days who are waiting to have children in their forties, just go for it, speak to your doctor and good luck.