Monday, February 8, 2010

Women Over 50 And Pregnancy

There was once a time when pregnancy after the age of 50 was extremely dangerous for women. While certain risks do accompany the older mother to be, today’s knowledge along with state-of-the-art technology makes pregnancy after 50 much safer for both mother and child.

Many women are waiting later in life to start their families. That means that a woman might be pushing 50 – or even older – when she conceives her first child. If you are a woman over 50 and considering having a baby, talk to your gynecologist. And remember, you might not get pregnant immediately. So, deciding at 50 that you are ready to have a family might mean you are actually 52 or 53 before your bundle of joy arrives.

You may also want to considering making an appointment with a fertility specialist just to rule out any physical complications that may prevent you from conceiving. No matter what you learn, don't be discouraged. Many women over 50 are having great success getting pregnant after being diagnosed with infertility by using the assistance of a fertility specialist.

Your physician can also pinpoint the statistics for various complications, including Down’s Syndrome, based on your age. Be prepared to make some tough decisions. Chances are you won't have to, but always be prepared. Your doctor may ask you what you would do if you discover that your unborn baby will be born with defects. Be honest with yourself, your partner and your medical provider.

Doctors vary on the advice they give to prospective mothers. A good doctor will give you knowledge to make the decision right for you. Technology allows doctors to size up pregnancies quickly and the amniocentesis that was once a sure thing for older pregnant women can often be replaced by other less invasive procedures, such as a detailed ultrasound.

Once you have safely delivered your baby you may think – whew! But this may well be when you actually start to feel your age. Late nights up with a crying baby begin to take their toll on any mother, but an older mother may tire quicker. Then, the toddler years will keep you running. The rewards of motherhood are priceless, however, and you can combat the fatigue by taking good care of yourself before, during and after pregnancy.

The next conflict might arise as your child hits his or her teen years just as night sweats and hot flashes are symbolizing your start of menopause. It's something to consider, but again the rewards of motherhood will outweigh any concern. Just know the conflict might arise and address it by seeing a medical professional to keep your menopause symptoms in check while you help your teen through the rough, awkward years.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Can Vitamin Supplements Help Prevent Osteoporosis In Women Over 50?

It is a known fact that vitamins are essential to good health. In a perfect world we would obtain all needed vitamins directly from the food we eat on a daily basis. However, because this is not reality for many individuals, there are some convincing reasons to consider taking vitamin supplements.

Vitamins can help us overcome our lifestyle problems. On the whole, we are not very responsible when it comes to healthy habits. Many people play with their lives by smoking an endless number of cigarettes, drinking alcohol to excess and live in suffocated air-conditioned homes without ever considering the harm that they unknowingly invite into their lives. By taking vitamin C every day, some of these negative effects may be counteracted.

Women over 50 in particular have special vitamin needs related to osteoporosis. Although men can also have osteoporosis, it tends to attack women more and cause them greater suffering. By supplementing with calcium on a daily basis, much of the risk for osteoporosis can be offset.
 Dieters have special supplementation needs of their own. Many young girls diet on a regular basis and consume far to few calories to accommodate their vitamin needs. While the wisdom of going on particular weight loss diets is a topic for another discussion, anyone on such a diet should look to vitamin supplements to avoid malnutrition and other maladies. Inadequate nutrition and vitamin supplementation can cause women over 50 to be vulnerable to various ailments and a weakened immune system

Another great reason to consider vitamin supplementation is the potential cancer prevention some vitamins are believed to provide. Research has suggested that vitamin E and vitamin A prevents skin cancer. Many studies in recent years have found that other types of cancers can be similarly prevented by taking certain vitamins.

While there is never a fail proof plan when it comes to vitamin supplementation, the evidence does suggest that risk may be reduced and conditions may be improved through vitamin supplementation. Due to all of the possible benefits, supplementation is definitely worth considering for women over 50.