Ask Sofia: Why did I miscarry?
A miscarriage of a pregnancy can happen for a variety of reasons, and early pregnancy loss, in particular, is more common than most people realize: it happens in 10 to 30 percent of pregnancies, and is more common as women get older. About 80 percent of miscarriages occur in the first trimester, chiefly due to abnormal chromosomal development in the baby, something that is pre-determined at the time of conception. This means that nothing you could have done would have changed the outcome of the pregnancy.
Read moreArtificial Insemination and In Vitro Fertilization
Now acronyms that most people are familiar with, artificial insemination (AI ) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) have come a long way since the “test-tube babies” of the 1970s. Artificial insemination or intrauterine insemination (IUI) involves placing sperm directly into the uterus whereas IVF is a procedure where eggs and sperm are combined in a laboratory, and then placed in the uterus once embryos form.
Read moreWhen is it “Too Late” to Have Kids?
While there are more potential risks and complications for moms over the age of 35, first-time older mothers are also more educated and more likely to have greater resources to support their family. Healthy 40-year-olds can have easier pregnancies than younger women if they prepare their bodies for pregnancy and focus on eating well, avoiding harmful behaviors and exercising while pregnancy. While you may see your doctor more often, there is no reason you can’t have a happy, healthy pregnancy in your late 30s, or 40s.
Read moreWhen to Seek Help with Infertility
When you’re ready to start or add to your family, even a month or two can seem like a lifetime when it comes to conception. However, if you have been having unprotected sex for a year or more with regular periods and are not able to conceive, you may want to schedule an appointment with your doctor
Read morePregnancy after Age 35
Getting pregnant after 35 can be one of the biggest challenges, with declining fertility levels, but new advances in fertility treatments have made pregnancy possible for more women at all ages.
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