New government data shows that women are increasingly delaying childbirth into their late 30s. In 2018, for the first time in history, more than 30% of Taiwanese gave birth for their first time at 35 or older. That’s classified as “advanced maternal age.” While many women in this age bracket have healthy pregnancies, doctors say the associated risks are higher for both mom and baby. Ms. Chen, who is 34, is preparing to welcome her second baby this Christmas season. Figures show that Taiwan is seeing fewer and fewer women like her, who become mothers before turning 35.Ms. ChenMost women I know went on to continue their education after graduating from college. That timetable puts them at age 30 when they marry, 31 or 32 when they have their first child, and 34 or 35 when they have their second.According to the Ministry of the Interior, the average age of all women who had a baby in 2018 was 32.03. Women having their first child were nearly 31 years old on average. For the first time in history, more than 30% of first-time mothers were 35 or older. Taiwan’s rate of older mothers was 30.12%, only slightly below South Korea’s 31.8%.Yin Chang-shengOB-GYNThis is happening in Europe, the U.S., or Taiwan. All around the world, women are giving birth at an older age. What with the high success rate of in vitro fertilization, a great many people aren’t getting pregnant when young, thinking that when they’re older and want to get married and have children, they’ll have that option and can indeed get pregnant.But doctors warn that women over 34 years old will have challenges including ovarian aging and deteriorating egg quality. Even with medical advances to aid their fertility, there remain many risks.Yin Chang-shengOB-GYNGoing by the lifestyle patterns of Taiwanese society, you’re not considered “older” until you’re 40, 39 years old. But at age 35 and up, you have to start looking out for gestational disorders. Everything can be completely normal, but the risk of pregnancy-induced hypertension could increase by two to three times. You may not have diabetes, but then find that you have it after you get pregnant.For older mothers-to-be, the risks include premature birth, preeclampsia, and postpartum hemorrhage. For the baby, there’s an increased chance of chromosomal abnormalities, a low birth weight, and health problems. Older mothers are advised to ask their doctors about prenatal screening.
New government data shows that women are increasingly delaying childbirth into their late 30s. In 2018, for the first time in history, more than 30% of Taiwanese gave birth for their first time at 35 or older. That’s classified as “advanced maternal age.” While many women in this age bracket have healthy pregnancies, doctors say the associated risks are higher for both mom and baby. Ms. Chen, who is 34, is preparing to welcome her second baby this Christmas season. Figures show that Taiwan is seeing fewer and fewer women like her, who become mothers before turning 35.Ms. ChenMost women I know went on to continue their education after graduating from college. That timetable puts them at age 30 when they marry, 31 or 32 when they have their first child, and 34 or 35 when they have their second.According to the Ministry of the Interior, the average age of all women who had a baby in 2018 was 32.03. Women having their first child were nearly 31 years old on average. For the first time in history, more than 30% of first-time mothers were 35 or older. Taiwan’s rate of older mothers was 30.12%, only slightly below South Korea’s 31.8%.Yin Chang-shengOB-GYNThis is happening in Europe, the U.S., or Taiwan. All around the world, women are giving birth at an older age. What with the high success rate of in vitro fertilization, a great many people aren’t getting pregnant when young, thinking that when they’re older and want to get married and have children, they’ll have that option and can indeed get pregnant.But doctors warn that women over 34 years old will have challenges including ovarian aging and deteriorating egg quality. Even with medical advances to aid their fertility, there remain many risks.Yin Chang-shengOB-GYNGoing by the lifestyle patterns of Taiwanese society, you’re not considered “older” until you’re 40, 39 years old. But at age 35 and up, you have to start looking out for gestational disorders. Everything can be completely normal, but the risk of pregnancy-induced hypertension could increase by two to three times. You may not have diabetes, but then find that you have it after you get pregnant.For older mothers-to-be, the risks include premature birth, preeclampsia, and postpartum hemorrhage. For the baby, there’s an increased chance of chromosomal abnormalities, a low birth weight, and health problems. Older mothers are advised to ask their doctors about prenatal screening.
0 Comments