Experts named the reasons for the growing popularity of late motherhood in Russia
The number of women who decide to have a child after 35 and even after 40 continues to grow. This trend is related both to the development of reproductive medicine and to changes in the life priorities of modern women. Experts spoke about the biological risks of late motherhood and the psychological reasons for postponing pregnancy. All the details are in the Izvestia article.
What happens to fertility after 35 years
As Olga Ulankina, a gynecologist and expert at the Hemotest Laboratory, explained, despite the achievements of modern medicine, the biological mechanisms remain unchanged. According to her, a woman is born with a fixed supply of eggs, which gradually decreases with age. A noticeable decrease in fertility begins after the age of 35.
"If at the age of 30 the probability of natural conception in one menstrual cycle is about 20%, then by the age of 40 this indicator decreases to about 5%. At the same time, the problem lies not only in the number of eggs, but also in their quality," the expert explained.
According to her, the risk of genetic changes increases with age, which increases the likelihood of chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus and spontaneous termination of pregnancy.
What opportunities does modern medicine offer?
The expert notes that reproductive technologies can significantly expand the possibilities of late motherhood. Among the most effective methods are IVF, ICSI, as well as the use of donor eggs.
In addition, vitrification, the freezing of eggs at a younger age, remains one of the ways to preserve reproductive potential. As Ulankina explained, this allows you to "put the biological clock on pause", while maintaining the quality of the genetic material regardless of the age of the woman at the time of pregnancy planning.
What risks are really increasing
Pregnancy after the age of 35 is indeed associated with increased medical risks. We are talking about a higher probability of developing gestational diabetes, hypertensive complications, including preeclampsia, as well as premature birth. However, as the doctor emphasizes, modern monitoring methods make it possible to effectively control these conditions.
Women of older reproductive age are prescribed additional examinations, non-invasive prenatal tests and preventive therapy. With proper medical support, women over the age of 40 can safely carry and give birth to healthy children.
Why do women delay motherhood?
According to Elena Dirinko, a psychologist and meta-cognitive coach, late motherhood today is primarily associated with a change in the life scenario. Previously, the "study – marriage–children" sequence was considered the norm, but today women are more likely to first seek education, build a career, gain financial stability and better understand themselves.
The expert notes that many women postpone the birth of a child not because of fear of pregnancy, but because of a lack of a sense of reliability in a relationship.
"It is not enough for them that the partner is financially secure. Emotional maturity, willingness to share responsibility, and a sense of psychological security come to the fore. Many women today say: I'm not afraid to give birth, I'm afraid to be left alone with this," the specialist emphasizes.
According to the psychologist, the decision to have a first child after 40 is rarely spontaneous. Women are more likely to experience anxiety about their health, possible pregnancy complications, and lack of energy to raise a child. A serious internal conflict is the fear of missing the last chance to become a mother and at the same time the fear of losing your usual lifestyle. Additional pressure increases social expectations and information background.
According to the expert, social networks form a contradictory picture of late motherhood. On the one hand, they show that pregnancy after 40 is possible. On the other hand, they create the image of an "ideal resource mother" who is simultaneously building a career, looks great, easily tolerates pregnancy and is fully realized. This increases anxiety and a sense of inadequacy. Women begin to compare their own doubts and fatigue with carefully selected fragments of someone else's life.
Age is not the main factor.
Experts agree that the key thing is not the number in the passport, but the general state of health, the availability of support and awareness of the decision. According to them, at the age of 25, motherhood is usually easier physically, but more difficult psychologically. After 40, on the contrary, a woman often approaches this step more consciously, although she faces great physiological limitations.
Experts say that the main condition for successful motherhood is not age, but the presence of reliable support — medical, psychological and family.
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