Wondering if you can still have a baby during your menopause? All your questions will be answered, here…
Reaching middle age as a woman can mean only one thing – menopause. As societal expectations change, many people are choosing to have babies later and later. The question is, is this possible for a perimenopausal person?
At this later stage of the fertility cycle, people may experience greater risks when conceiving. This could include injuries during childbirth, miscarriages, and congenital abnormalities in the child. That said, for many, it is completely possible to carry a child to term.
With the help of your doctor, and keeping in touch with your lifestyle, you may be able to have a healthy and happy baby. Discover the answers to your questions, here…
What is Perimenopause?
Perimenopause, or menopause transition, is when the body begins to transition into menopause. Periods become irregular during this time, and ovulation will be less regular too.
This usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 58, with 52 years being the average age for most women. For some, however, these changes can be brought on much earlier, whether it be due to preventative surgeries to remove the ovaries, genetics, or pre-existing medical conditions.
The symptoms of menopause, at this time, may begin to kick in. These might include hot flashes, vaginal dryness, changes in libido, anxiety, depression, and mood changes. The symptoms can last anywhere between two and 10 years, and are all down to the hormone changes invoked by the dwindling egg count.
Because of this, the brain begins to overcompensate for the lack of hormones, producing more follicle stimulating hormones, or FSH. This can often encourage more than one follicle to grow and release an egg, increasing the chances of twins being produced along the way. It can also be blamed for the other symptoms and changes.
Can You Get Pregnant Perimenopause?
The simple answer is yes, you can get pregnant during the pre-menopause stage of your life cycle. Although many will rule out pregnancy once the symptoms of menopause set in, a doctor won’t rule out the possibility until periods have been absent for 12 months.
That said, it’s not always possible, and you are likely to meet a number of potential challenges along the way.
The chances of conceiving naturally during this stage are very low due to a limited number of eggs. The other issue that is faced is the problem of egg quality. Once you reach the over 40 mark, most people will find that many of their already limited number of eggs produced each month aren’t viable. For the eggs that are, the risks involved are higher too.
More commonly, techniques like IVF might be attempted. Many people will choose to freeze their eggs in advance to increase their chances of conception at a later date too.
Is it Safe to Get Pregnant Perimenopause?
Getting pregnant during these later years of the fertility cycle certainly has some additional risks.
For starters, the risk of miscarriage is much higher around this time, with around 50 percent of women at the age of 45 and over experiencing this. Having a baby at this age also increases the risk of congenital abnormalities.
It’s not only more dangerous for the baby, but also the mother too. Older women can experience a higher risk of high blood pressure, as well as other illnesses, like:
- Cervical disease
- Diabetes
- Fibroids
- Pre-eclampsia
- Pre-term labour
- Placental issues
It’s important that you consult your doctor or midwife regularly throughout your pregnancy to check up on yourself and the growing foetus. This way, any potential problems can be identified as soon as possible, and informed decisions can be made.
At the end of the day, having a baby around this age puts you in the high-risk category due to being what’s known as a “geriatric mother”. That’s not to say that, for many people over forty, that it’s not possible.
How Can You Get Pregnant Perimenopause?
For some people, getting pregnant and giving birth to a healthy child during perimenopause is completely possible. Once you have the go-ahead from your doctor for conceiving, there are some ways you can make the process more achievable. Some ideas from the NHS to do this include:
- Exercising
- Eating well
- If overweight or obese, reducing body fat
- Reduce alcohol intake
- Cut out smoking
- Paying attention to your ovulation
- Considering IVF
- Always consult your doctor for their expert advice about whether it’s possible in your case
Think You Can Conceive?
As you can see, in some cases, it is completely possible to conceive a child during these later stages of the ovulation cycle. Of course, you’re likely to come up against some roadblocks along the way, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t possible.
The above are simply the facts of the case, as taken from a number of reliable online health resources. The only advice to take away from this is to speak to your doctor if you’re considering trying for a baby at this stage of your life. They will be able to give you expert advice on whether it’s possible for you, and what steps you can take to make it work.
We wish you luck on your pregnancy journey!
