5 Differences Having a Baby at 40 vs. at 20

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We all know that there isn’t a perfect age for pregnancy anymore, is there? But we all agree that, biologically, it’s better to have a child at a younger age. So what I have done here is listed five differences having a baby at 40 vs. at 20.

The number of women conceiving in their 40s is increasing every year. Professional and personal stability are the two favorite reasons behind such a trend. And there’s no harm in having a baby in your 40s provided you’re a healthy person with healthy habits.

So let’s find out the five most common factors involved in creating that biological difference between your 20s and 40s.

5 Differences Having a Baby at 40 vs. at 20

#1 Chances of conceiving

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What brand of baby nighttime diapers should I buy? Or what are the best milk storage bags? When you’re in your 20s and even early 30s, these are the questions that you worry about when you want to conceive. But that’s not the case in your 40s. Instead, the only thing on your mind is whether you’ll be able to get pregnant or not.

As you get older, your chances of reproducing reduce. When you reach your late 30s, you have a 20% chance of getting pregnant. Each menstrual cycle provides you with six days to become pregnant. I like to call it the fertile window.

In your late 30s, this fertile window works only half as efficiently as it does in the 20s. So you can imagine how fertile it would be once you reach your 40s.

#2 Risks of miscarriage

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Miscarriages are quite common. Even a 25-year-old woman can suffer from many miscarriages. And the chances get amplified once you hit the 40 mark.

In fact, a 45-year-old woman has a 60% chance of experiencing a miscarriage as opposed to 28% at the age of 40. In only five years, the number seems to double up, doesn’t it? So what does this tell you? It means that older women have more chromosomal abnormalities than their younger lot.

As we get older, our ovaries age too. So by the time you turn 37-38, the rate of your antral follicle count reduces. It also increases the chances of egg loss. And you don’t need to be a medical expert to break this down.

It just means that you might be one of the five women that suffer from a miscarriage. With such a compelling case, most women don’t need to know as many as five differences having a baby at 40 vs. at 20.

#3 Lifestyle

Heavy alcohol and drug use along with smoking play a significant role when it comes to pregnancy. A woman’s fertility and smoking have a direct connection. Carcinogens present in cigarettes damage ovarian follicles. Smoking women hit menopause comparatively earlier than the ones without such a dangerous habit.

If you’re a smoker in your 20s, the chances are that you might remain childless even after trying to get pregnant for five years. So you can imagine how much harder it must be for you to conceive, as a smoker or heavy drinker, at the age of 40.

 Source:youtube.com/watch?v=1VKDqkOP91M]

#4 Raising the kid

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Let’s assume that you had your first baby when you were 25 years old while the second one came in at the age of 30. So by the time you turn 45, one kid will be 20 and other 15. But if you choose to have a baby at the age of 45, by the time he or she turns 20, you’ll be 65.

Now I’m not saying that being 65 means the end of life. What I’m trying to tell you is that you will be 70 years old when your kid goes off to college. This might not be a big deal, both mentally and physically, for some parents. But for most, it does seem not only inconvenient but also challenging.

#5 Financial stability

Being an older mom has its benefits too. We do get wiser with age, don’t we? So at the age of 40, you might be professionally and personally more stable to bring up a child. This means that your kid will see more of you and your stable side.

You need to be financially fit if you want to have a child. Because things like a college education or buying a new car don’t come easy.

In your 30s, you might not have this kind of money. But more often than not, this is not the case when you’re 50 or 60 years old. So being an older mom means giving your kid a better life as a loving parent and financial provider.

These are the significant five differences having a baby at 40 vs. at 20. Time for wrap up!

That’s About It Folks!

There are many reasons why you shouldn’t get pregnant in your 20s. Career and a stable relationship with your better half are the two most common ones. So whatever you decide to do, weigh out all your options before getting pregnant.

And not being able to conceive at the age of 40 is not good news for women who are ready to become mothers. But just remember that adoption is a part of the process too.

So did you go through all the five points discussed in the article? And did you find the content useful?

Please let me know if you have anything to add here. Don’t forget to drop your thoughts as well in the comments section.

Thank you for visiting my blog. See you again soon!

About the author:

MomTrusted Choice is the creation of Barbara Davis. She is a passionate blogger who writes about her experiences as a mother. Her articles consist of everything related to pregnancy and motherhood. This includes best product recommendations, insightful parenting tips, and much more. And when she’s not being a wise mom, she spends her time cooking and sharing interesting recipes to make life more delicious.

Sources:

1.  http://www.littlescallys.com/2013/12/the-differences-between-having-children-in-your-20s-and-40s/
2.  https://expectingscience.com/2015/02/27/7-things-to-know-about-fertility-in-your-late-30s/
3.  http://health.howstuffworks.com/pregnancy-and-parenting/pregnancy/issues/pregnancy-at-different-ages-20s-30s-and-40s.htm

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Healthy Baby Teeth Can Ensure Healthy Permanent Teeth

Baby teeth are the very first set of teeth infants start to grow as early as six months old. The majority of children grow a full set of teeth, or more precisely, a set of baby teeth by the time they reach the age of three. However, infant and toddler teeth are at high risk of decay from the very beginning of their existence, which is why it is essential that these teeth are taken care of as soon as they emerge.

According to Research Gate, in Indonesia, 27.8% of children aged 5 to 9 years do not brush their teeth, which poses a grave dental health problem and can have a negative health impact, as well as emotional, and social effects in the long run. As a final resort, one of the most common occurrences in a great number of cases is the removal of bad baby teeth, due to the severity of the decay. Although it might seem like a good and only solution, one of the drawbacks of premature loss of baby teeth is the lack of guidance of permanent teeth, as confirmed by one of the leading oral care centers - Colgate. Consequently, this results in misaligned permanent teeth and even gum irritation that can cause unpleasant pain and discomfort in the child’s adulthood.

What can parents do to help prevent the decay of baby teeth?

Even though it might sound like a cliché, brushing teeth on a regular basis will keep them clean and healthy. Parents should pay attention to their baby’s oral hygiene soon after birth; this means that even before the very first baby tooth pushes through, parents should rub their baby’s gums with a soft wet gauze at least once a day. Once the baby’s first teeth push through, a soft toothbrush and a small amount of toothpaste will suffice to ensure their healthy growth and longevity.

Naturally, no parent should expect their toddler to master this routine at an early age, which is why they should continually assist their young ones during the process. Furthermore, besides the practice of regularly brushing teeth (at least twice a day), parents should also pay close attention to their child’s calcium intake, as it can greatly contribute to their dental health. According to Jakarta Globe, Indonesians consume only about 12 liters of milk per year, which is, needless to say, an insufficient amount. However, this problem is being addressed, and statistics on Ca+ consumption in Indonesia is expected to significantly improve in no time, which will naturally also benefit the overall oral health in the nation.

When should a child go for their first dental check-up?

A great number of parents make the mistake of waiting for the child’s first dental visit until he or she starts school, or till they are in severe pain due to tooth decay. To avoid such an inconvenience, make sure to schedule an appointment as soon as the first baby teeth appear, and continue regular visits to your dentist. Ideally, your child should go for a check-up every 5 to 6 months. Furthermore, make sure that you do not wait until the tooth is beyond saving, but address the problem as soon as it arises.

Preserving your child’s baby teeth matters. It might take some extra time and financial investment, but it is definitely worth it, as it will help you and your young one avoid a tremendous amount of worry and (oral) health problems in the future.

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Ways You Can Boost Your Child's Education Outside School

School offers you some of the best and most unique experiences that you can have during your younger years. With fascinating subjects to learn and a variety of activities to do, school is a place for people to enjoy and know more. But even though you are outside of the school, there are still many opportunities to learn.

International schools in the Philippines tend to hold some educational activities out of their campuses, which helps their students to get immersed into the activity more. You can also help your child look for educational places and activities even during school breaks or weekends. Here are some activities and places that can help boost your child’s education while they are out of the school.

1.   Go to a museum

One of the most educational places that you can go to outside of the school is by going to museums. There are several museums that you can go around in Manila, like the Mind Museum in Bonifaio Global City, MuseongPambata along Roxas Boulevard, The Metropolitan Museum near Vito Cruz, and the National Museum in Ermita.

These museums offer you a look into diverse pieces of history, art, music, science, and culture. Some of these museums also have some interactive activities that your kids would enjoy.

2.   Unlocking some mysteries

If you want an activity that you can do with your family, while also getting your minds to work, then unlocking a few mysteries might be your cup of tea. Mystery Manila gives you, your friends, and family the opportunity to become detectives for a day, and solve some mysterious puzzles together. There are a variety of mysteries to choose from, and all of them would definitely give you and your kids a fun time.

3.   Science, anyone?

Another fun activity that you can do with your kids is to experience some science. Places like the Nido Science Discovery Center and the Exploreum in SM Mall of Asia. These places offer you some immersive experience for your kids, like hands-on activities that involve chemistry and physics. They also have exhibits like holograms and simulations which enhances the experience more.

4.   Experience nature

If you want to experience a bit more of the outdoors, you can go to nature and adventure parks like the Zoobic Safari in Subic, Manila Ocean Park, and Ocean Adventure (also in Subic). These places give you and your kids the chance to see different kinds of animals, and even interact with them. Other than some fascinating animal attractions, these places also offer some fun and exciting activities as well, all of which let you experience a few things that they don’t offer in schools.

Key Takeaway

Learning is one of the few things in life that never stops, as there is always an opportunity to experience something new every single day. Having you and your kids enjoy some nice fun, yet educational activities that give them some experiences that they would not see inside the comfort of their classrooms.

Related article : Active & Giving Family Living

About the Author:

Esther Diaz

A 22-year-old graduate of graphic design, DIY enthusiast, make-up lover and has a love-hate relationship with desserts. I dream to be soon one of the known bloggers.

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