7 Ways to keep your pregnancy healthy even though you are 40 years old

It is not impossible to get pregnant at the age of 40 years, but maybe the process is not as easy as women who get pregnant at a younger age. Because, getting pregnant at old age makes you further increase your risk of complications during pregnancy. However, that does not mean that you are pessimistic and just give up. It is possible for you to have a healthy pregnancy and childbirth even at the age of four, as long as you follow the following tips for maintaining a healthy pregnancy.

How to keep a healthy pregnancy at an age that is no longer young

Although the chances of getting pregnant are still there, the chance of getting pregnant at the age of 40 is only 5 percent. In addition, women who are pregnant at the age of 40 years and over are more at risk of developing pregnancy complications, including gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, placenta previa, preterm and low birth weight (LBW) babies, babies born by caesarean section, miscarriage or death at birth. .

To anticipate these things, there are several ways you can take care of your pregnancy at a young age, including the following:

1. Perform routine pregnancy checks or antenatal care (ANC)

Antenatal Care (ANC) is a pregnancy check to optimize the mental and physical health of pregnant women. This aims to make pregnant women able to face childbirth, postpartum period, exclusive breastfeeding, and restore their reproductive health well.

This examination can be in the form of a physical examination, blood tests, and ultrasound to find out problems that can arise during pregnancy. You can discuss various things about your pregnancy with your midwife or doctor, including how to maintain a pregnancy, birth plans, or any worries that are filling your head. Usually, this examination should be done every month but ask your doctor again when the schedule is right for all these tests.

Also consult if you have diabetes or thyroid problems that might affect your pregnancy and how to overcome them. That way, you can have a safer and smoother pregnancy.

2. Take special supplements

When entering pregnancy, the mother's nutritional needs increase. Many mothers cannot meet their nutritional needs properly, so they are threatened with vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Of course, it will affect the health of the fetus and mother.

Therefore, pregnant women, especially those who are pregnant at the age of 40, need special supplements so that their nutritional needs are well fulfilled. Additional supplements given include folic acid, iron and calcium. This supplement is useful for preventing several birth defects related to the spinal cord and brain, one of which is spina bifida.

If you have certain diseases and are taking drugs, it's best to consult your doctor first whether you can continue taking these drugs or not. Because, not all drugs can be consumed by women who are pregnant.

3. Get enough rest

According to Barbara O'Brien, M.D., a perinatal genetic specialist at the Women and Infants' Hospital of Rhode Island, women who become pregnant at age 40 should be more sensitive to their bodies. As reported by Fit Pregnancy, women aged 40 years are actually more enthusiastic about their activities, so they tend to want to continue doing everything themselves.

So, you need to rest your body as often as possible and not push yourself. Save your energy with enough rest to keep your pregnancy at a young age.

4. Eat nutritious foods

During pregnancy, food and nutrition must be maintained properly. Improper food intake can make pregnant women inadequate nutrition and can have an impact on the health of the fetus.

Therefore, fill your nutritional intake by eating nutritious foods, especially those high in folic acid such as green vegetables, oranges, cereals, or other food products that have been fortified with this mineral. Eat lots of vegetables and fruit to maintain your daily fiber needs and avoid fast food for a while.

If you like seafood or seafood, you should be more careful. This is because some seafood contains mercury which can cause birth defects, for example shark, king mackerel, or swordfish. Seafood that is allowed for pregnant women includes salmon, shrimp, and tuna. However, consult your doctor first so you don't take the wrong step.

5. Control your weight

Some doctors recommend pregnant women to gain a few pounds during pregnancy. This recommendation is of course adjusted to the health conditions of the mother and fetus so as not to increase the risk of pregnancy complications. Therefore, consult your doctor about the recommended weight figure according to your condition.

6. Avoid unhealthy lifestyles

It is the duty of pregnant women to maintain a healthy lifestyle, especially those of you who are pregnant at a high risk age. Avoid various unhealthy lifestyles such as smoking and drinking alcohol, including your husband and your family.

Even if you don't smoke but your husband or other family members smoke, this still makes you a second-hand smoke which can endanger the health of you and your baby. So, ask your husband to quit smoking, or at least not smoke around you.

7. Carry out a vaccine

Ideally, vaccinations should be obtained before you start planning pregnancy. The reason is, the condition of being pregnant makes the immune system tend to decline so that it is susceptible to various infectious diseases. Well, this is where immunization plays an important role during pregnancy to increase immunity and maintain the health of your baby in the future.

However, if you get the vaccine late before becoming pregnant, you can get vaccinated during pregnancy. This has been proven safe for the growth and development of the baby in your womb. Vaccines that are safe for pregnant women include hepatitis B, flu, and tetanus diphteria pertussis (Tdap). Immediately consult a doctor to get the appropriate vaccine.