Weight in gold: why there are fewer women capable of becoming moms
The decline in Russia's birth rate, about which alarms are already being sounded at the highest level, is a heavy legacy of the past. Demographic problems may arise because in the late nineties and early noughties women were reluctant to have children. Now people who were lucky enough to be born then are becoming parents. Is it possible to stay on the edge of the demographic pit, how to look after yourself to keep reproductive health for many years - in the material "Izvestia".
Born in years deaf
According to First Deputy Minister of Health Victor Fisenko, the birth rate in Russia has approached the indicator of 2000, one of the lowest in the history of modern Russia. The Ministry of Health attributes this to a decrease in the number of women of reproductive age and a decline in the intensity of childbearing. The situation is expected to improve after 2027.
Lyubov Erofeeva, a senior lecturer at the Medical Faculty of Synergy University, gynecologist, notes that the reproductive age of women lasts from 15 to 45 years. This time period is considered to be the period when the necessary number of eggs matures, the cycle is established, which means that there is less probability that the child may have some health problems.
The decline in the birth rate is not only due to the fact that a small cohort of women has entered the age of marriage, demographers say. The problem is aggravated by the fact that girls born at the turn of the century are in no hurry to have children.
- In Soviet times they married after barely waiting until their eighteenth birthday to finally put a stamp in their passports. Back then, society did not support extramarital affairs, especially among the young. First-born children were mostly born to 20-year-old spouses," comments Lyubov Erofeeva. - Now the birth of first-born children in Russia has shifted to the age of 27-28. The trend is the same in European countries and the USA. Women there also give birth for the first time at the age of 28, or even 30.
Before planning a family, Russian women try to get an education, realize their profession and achieve a high level of income. All this takes up a lot of time for potential mothers.
"Postponed" motherhood has its advantages. Gynecologist gives credit to the fact that the modern woman with the greatest attention to the choice of future husband. In particular, to look closely at each other, the partners live together for some time, without making joint plans for the future.
- But sometimes women too long trying to figure out whether a particular man will be a good father for future children. Or years live with a man under the same roof, waiting for a marriage proposal. People get together, split up, go in search of a new destiny, - comments the expert.
Health does not increase over the years. Despite the upper bar of reproductive age (45 years), not everyone comes to the finish line with the necessary margin of safety to conceive a baby. Reproductive intentions, as well as opportunities, eventually come down to the desire to have one or two children.
Still, the situation does not look like a stalemate.
- Our birth rate is not very critical now - 1.41. This is about one and a half children per woman. In some European countries it is much lower. For example, in Catholic Poland, where it is actually forbidden to perform abortions without good reasons related to the risk to health and life, this coefficient is 1.1, - comments Erofeeva.
The expert notes that the birth rate is traditionally high in Chechnya, Tyva, Ingushetia and Dagestan. All prospects for a baby boom are in a number of northern territories, where local authorities make reasonable use of financial opportunities, support large families, and provide young families with housing.
A passive minority
Contrary to the opinion of skeptics, Russia is not threatened by such a phenomenon as childfree, especially since the propaganda of such views in our country is prohibited.
- Such cases have always been the exception to the rule. Most often we are talking about women who believe that they should not have offspring. These are people with some somatic or mental health disorders. Perhaps they were brought up in very strict puritanical families or where they grew up, women's dignity was humiliated: the mother suffered and the daughter saw it. We are also talking about girls whose mothers died in childbirth or from diseases related to the gynecological sphere," says Lyubov Yerofeeva.
Such reasons can sometimes put an end to a woman's happiness and fertility, the expert emphasizes. But other considerations in this matter are minimized.
- I can say reliably, based on the data of sociological studies, that only 3.8% of men and 2.4% of women believe that for them life is full of other interests besides childbearing. These small groups of people are not going to have children, but there were as many of them 25 years ago, when there was no ban on the propaganda of Childfree, - explains Lyubov Yerofeeva.
By the way, the Ministry of Health notes that the number of abortions in Russia over the past 10 years has decreased by more than 3.5 times. Preventive work with women plays a role. Elena Sheshko, Director of the Department of Medical Care for Children, Maternity Services and Public Health of the Ministry of Health of Russia, is sure that thanks to this there is a certain reserve for increasing the birth rate.
Products for expectant mothers
In order to experience the joy of motherhood, women need to monitor their health, lead a healthy lifestyle and regularly visit the doctor. The frequency of visits to the "female doctor" is determined individually, but it should be done at least once a year, and from 35-40 years - twice a year. Adolescent girls need to visit a gynecologist, so that the doctor can explain in which situations it is necessary to urgently seek medical help and how to behave in order to preserve reproductive health.
The gynecologist emphasizes that girls should be vaccinated against the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV). Such a measure will help protect against the unpleasant prospect of cervical cancer. From 2026, this vaccination will become mandatory - it will be included in the National Calendar.
Nutriciologist, chief technologist of the company "Vivo Market" Julia Makeeva notes that proper nutrition plays a key role in maintaining reproductive health at all stages of life. Diet affects the hormonal balance, the quality of eggs and sperm, as well as the general condition of the reproductive system.
- Proper nutrition is especially important during puberty in children and adolescents. Protein and healthy fats (eggs, fatty fish, nuts, olive oil) as well as micronutrients such as zinc and selenium (beef, pumpkin seeds, seafood) are necessary for normal growth and development of the reproductive organs. Girls need enough iron (liver, buckwheat, apples) to establish the menstrual cycle," says the nutritionist.
According to Makeeva, at the age of 18-35, when reproductive function is at its peak, it is important to maintain fertility.
- Women need folic acid (greens, spinach, legumes) to prevent fetal malformations, as well as omega-3 fatty acids (salmon, flaxseed oil) for healthy eggs and antioxidants (berries, nuts, avocados) to protect against oxidative stress," explains Makeeva.
Men should also look after themselves. The body to increase the level of testosterone and sperm motility should be enough zinc - there is a lot of it in oysters and beef. Nutritionist also draws attention to the fact that L-carnitine contained in red meat and dairy products helps to improve the quality of sperm, and vitamin D, the source of which in addition to sunlight is eggs and mushrooms, is necessary to maintain hormonal balance.
- After the age of 35, when fertility gradually declines, it is especially important for women to maintain hormonal balance and overall health. Phytoestrogens (soy products, flaxseed) are useful for smoothing estrogen fluctuations, as well as magnesium and vitamin B6 (bananas, nuts) to reduce PMS symptoms and support the nervous system, - says Yulia Makeieva.
For men at this age, nutritionist advises to include in the diet products containing arginine (nuts, chicken) - they are good for improving blood circulation and preventing erectile dysfunction. And for the production of energy in sperm is important coenzyme Q10, which is found in liver and fish.
- After the age of 50, women go through menopause, and men may experience a decrease in testosterone levels. During this period it is important to support the body with calcium and vitamin D (dairy products, almonds) to prevent osteoporosis, as well as to monitor the intake of omega-3 and antioxidants necessary for the health of the cardiovascular system,- explains Julia Makeeva.
For men, the nutritionist recommends paying attention to products that improve blood circulation and potency (garlic, pomegranate), as well as an anti-inflammatory diet (vegetables, berries, nuts) to reduce the risk of prostate diseases.
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