Summary: The Effects Of Age At Childbirth

Improved Essays
The Effects of Age at Childbirth
Age is a big factor when it comes to planning parenthood, in-fact most, if not all couples think long and hard on when they should have children. There are many concerns that play into the decision and include that of fetal health and development, birth complications, and mother’s health concerns. Each one of these is important to consider since they can alter the mother’s lives and possibly their child’s life, forever. As we research the effects that age can have on childbirth we have to consider the research that is used to help us understand the truth and not just the speculations. From this research, we can see how age can affect the lives of everyone involved in the pregnancy. It will also help the parents
…show more content…
Like those who are in their teens, older women have to be prepared for the complication that can come with pregnancy. These women usually do not have to worry about economical situations, like that of those who are still in high school and living with their parents. Biologically these women need to worry a little more than someone who is in their 20s, because their bodies are more mature and can carry a risk for genetic abnormalities (Mathiessen, 2014). But just like those in their teens and those in their 20s, pregnancy has its pros and cons. These pros of women getting pregnant their 30s include the ability to maintain stamina and resilience, financial and practical sense, and lastly, it is better personally and professionally (Mathiessen, 2014). All of the pros listed are really important and will help ensure a life of less stress and plenty of fun for the family, but there are also cons. These cons originate from the many studies that have been conducted in hopes of understanding the biological concerns that can come with having children at an older age. As women begin to age their rate of miscarriage increases along with the chances of having to resort to cesarean sections (Mathiessen, 2014). The complications that can come along with delivery is approximately 13 percent greater than those of mothers in their 20s (Mathiessen, 2014). For those …show more content…
For each age group we can see the trials and tribulations that arise and continue to be in the back of each mother’s mind. For those in their teens there are a multitude of challenges like pregnancy complications and life stresses. Those who are in their 20s have an easier time getting pregnant and seem to have a smaller chance of abnormalities and miscarriages. For those who are planning to get pregnant the best time is during the woman’s 20s. Deciding to have a child during this time is one of the best decisions that can be made. However deciding to have children just a short 10 years later could prove difficult if not impossible. While becoming parents in your 30s may seem the best option for parents financially, it could prove difficult biologically. The maturity level of women’s reproductive system continues to change as their bodies change (Mathiessen, 2014). It is important for mothers to understand the risk that comes with her decision to get pregnant and raise a child. Although it may seem straightforward, there are always concerns no matter the age. In-fact, these risk only become concerned when their knowledge is limited or non-existent. So before deciding to have a child it can be beneficial to research the best time biologically and

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    The median age at which Australian first having sexual intercourse is 17, lying in the teenage group of age (Marino, 2016). According to Better Health Channel, 50% of all Australian teenagers in Year 12 have had sex and one in four of them do not use contraception, leading to countless unexpected pregnancies and hence, teenage parenthood. The positive reducing number of adolescent mothers over the year (Figure 1) however does not imply that the processes of pregnancy and parenting would have any less significant impacts on the girls. Some of the various challenges teenage mums have to overcome occur in both personal and social aspects could be named as unsustainable health condition, depressions, self-destructive feelings, high chance of illiteracy,…

    • 1480 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    As a female, I have to make sure I take care of myself and prevent any hurt, harm, or danger or unplanned issues from coming my way. One way I make sure of is that I keep u to date with my birth control. My current birth control method is the Depo-Provera shot, to illustrate; Depo-Provera is a shot of hormone/ progestin that keep the eggs from leaving the ovaries and also makes the mucus thicker to keep the sperm from getting to the eggs. Depo-Provera has its challenges of not being on the shot, but also has advantages, and disadvantages during the course of it being in the body.…

    • 631 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Melissa Walker is not too old to have the baby because she didn’t pass through menopause yet, that is the time of life when the women stop menstrual flow. This woman is still producing hormones such as estrogen and progesterone that prepares for pregnancy. Ovaries still produces ovum therefore the woman is fertile, can still have babies. This woman can use techniques and treatments available in markets that aim to enhance fertility including hormone therapy, egg donations, assisted reproduction and artificial insemination.…

    • 1237 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Brazell cross point to Kirk Preterm birth carries the possibility of increasing the mortality and morbidity rate of the fetus. Studies have shown that there have been an association between low socio-economic status and an increased rate of negative health outcomes and preterm deliveries (Iams & Donovan, 2011). The United States and Canada have reported a connection amongst maternal women with low education levels and premature births (Iams & Donovan, 2011). These reports have also been concluded in the United Kingdom and Europe (Iams & Donovan, 2011). This has especially been reported of spontaneous premature delivers of less than thirty two weeks gestation (Iams & Donovan, 2011).…

    • 276 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    Major Life Decisions Student loan debt, like all forms of debt, can influence various decisions such as starting a family, buying a house, and retiring. Since children are one of the largest expenses one can have, many people wait to start a family until they are financially stable. This is one of the reasons why the average age of first time mothers has increased from 21.4 years in 1970 to 25.6 years in 2011, according to the National Vital Statistics Report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (Martin, Hamilton, Ventura, Osterman, & Matthews). In addition to couples having children at older ages, smaller families are becoming more common. American women are producing a historically low rate of 1.9 children during…

    • 1086 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Great Essays

    The Hook Up Culture

    • 1624 Words
    • 7 Pages

    On the other hand pregnancy as an ungraduated college student would be difficult especially if the women is already struggling with school and other factors. This leads to a psychological impact towards the women, having a child especially form an unwanted relationship which once again as Freitas mentioned in her book leading to feeling regret and disgust and emotionally crushed affecting both partners but most likely the…

    • 1624 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Decent Essays

    The main purpose of this article by Davis & Sandman was to determine whether the gestational age and time of stress effected fetal development. Detail was given as to the production of cortisol, which derives from the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis or HPA axis which is the human body’s response system to stress. This axis is regulated by another human hormone called CRH which then releases another hormone into the bloodstream that will trigger the release of cortisol. David & Sandman state that as the fetus develops it reaches a gestational age that will provide partial protection from the harmful effects of cortisol; however as the pregnancy develops further the decrease of placenta allows for more cortisol to reach the fetus and in normal…

    • 185 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Prenatal Nutrition in Canada The Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNP) is a program that is funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), providing support and promoting public health to improve maternal-infant health. Through Florence Nightingale’s historic fundamentals of chattering hopes and advice to the patient, educating on what food to eat, and taking food, healthcare providers of Canada can advance maternal-infant health care today. It is important for women who are planning to have a child or already carrying one, to do as much as they can to have a healthy child.…

    • 1505 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Dr. Virginia Vitzthum conducted the research study, Environmental Stress and Its Impact on Pregnancy. Dr. Vitzthum has a Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Michigan, an M.A. in Biological Anthropology from the University of Michigan, and a B.S./B.A. in Biology and Anthropology from Queens College. Furthermore, Dr. Vitzthum is a senior scientist at the Kinsey Institute in Bloomington, Indiana, and is an evolutionary anthropologist and professor in the Anthropology department at Indiana University. The purpose of Dr. Vitzthum’s research on environmental stress and its impact on pregnancy is to explore factors contributing to pregnancy loss in the early stages of reproduction in women among different cultures.…

    • 1183 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Most people say they would rather wait to have kids until after they accomplish everything they wanted in life. The thing is, you don’t have to do this, you’re life does not end when you have a baby. Having kids at a young age is the best thing ever. Michelle Horton, a young mother herself, says, “I think there’s something beautiful about showing your children how to get from Point A to Point B, despite the inevitable obstacles and setbacks.” Going through all these struggles of having to raise a child, go to school, or go to work at the same time can seem overwhelming to most people.…

    • 1214 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Over the last decade, the number of teenage pregnancies in the United States has been on a steady decline. Television shows like 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom are using the media as a platform to have open discussions about pregnancy preventions and young motherhood. While teenage pregnancy is decreasing, it is still high. It is very important to educate teens and young adults on young pregnancies and the effects on themselves and their children. Children who are born to teenage mothers are faced with struggles in their lives due to higher risks for birth defects and health issues, education struggles, and the likelihood of teenage pregnancies themselves.…

    • 1247 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In my opinion, many of the women within this age range are aware that they must maintain their scheduled doctor visits, follow up with doctor orders, eat healthy nutritious meals, and stop harmful risky behaviors that could affect their bodies and their babies. Moreover, I believe most women in this age range are fully ready and at a point in which they are capable of fully providing for a child. Also, I believe they will take the necessary precautions to ensure that their babies are growing and developing the best way they know…

    • 1615 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Prenatal Care during Pregnancy to Reduce Birth Risks Unintentional or unplanned pregnancies are a major health concern linked to increased risks of harmful behaviors, abortions, negative social and birth outcomes (Feldman, 2012). According to Moeller, Veseau, and Carr while the rates of pregnancy and childbirth among adolescents under the age of 20 in the United States have fallen since 1990 it is not expected to disappear entirely and remains a national problem (2007). Pregnancy in adolescence has been connected to a variety of unfavorable maternal and infant outcomes. Health risks for teens and their infants include low birth weight, risk of prematurity, developmental delays, and poor prenatal weight gain.…

    • 1184 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    An older woman with a later childbearing can most likely have complications such as hypertension and diabetes, complications such as the following can lead to a cesarean delivery. Not only does the mother face difficulties but the baby as well, a baby of a mother older than 35 is more likely to have some form of genetic abnormalities. “Fetal death is twice as high for women 35 years and older.” (Understanding Nutrition) Both young teen moms and older women run risk of having a high risk pregnancy, although the risk of dying is greater in late child bearing it is important for the mother to take care of herself at all times regardless of the…

    • 812 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Moreover, getting pregnant at an early age may negatively affect the child either physically or emotionally. First, to reach a successful fetus’s physical development, it is important the mother meets with the necessary requirements such as good nutrition, correct prenatal care, and adequate medication. Providing the unborn with these important factors will help it to reach a prosperous development. Therefore, adolescence is not the best age to get pregnant because the teen’s body is not trained to provide an adequate development to the new being. Of course, it is possible for a teenager’s child to be born healthy and develop normally.…

    • 809 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays