On 7/4, Doctor Ha Cam Thuong, Deputy Head of the Voluntary Obstetrics Department at Hanoi Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, stated that the elderly woman's pregnancy carried numerous risks. These risks stemmed from a history of previous cesarean sections and gestational diabetes, which required daily insulin.
By week 37, the woman went into labor, leading to a decision for a cesarean section. "This was a high-risk surgery, and administering anesthesia was very challenging," the doctor noted. Fortunately, both babies were born healthy with good reflexes, and the mother's condition remained stable.
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The two babies were born healthy at Hanoi Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital. *Photo: Hospital provided* |
The doctor explained that for pregnancies over the age of 50, the mother's overall health and immune system are often weaker. This results in more fatigue and a higher risk of complications, including: high blood pressure, pre-eclampsia, placenta previa, gestational diabetes, threatened preterm labor, and preterm birth.
Additionally, older women frequently have chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases. These existing health issues can worsen during pregnancy, endangering both the mother and the fetus.
Doctors advise against pregnancy at an advanced age, noting that carrying twins is particularly risky. If undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF), transferring a single embryo is recommended. Furthermore, meticulous pregnancy monitoring and management are crucial at a specialized medical facility staffed by experienced doctors to ensure the safety of both mother and child.
In Vietnam, most women over 50 who become pregnant do so through assisted reproductive interventions. The oldest recorded case involved a 61-year-old woman in Hanoi, who conceived via IVF using a donor egg and her husband's sperm; the baby girl was born in 2018 weighing 2,6 kg. Another woman, 60, from Bac Giang, gave birth to her third child, also through IVF. Additionally, a woman gave birth to a son at 58, two years after menopause, by using a donor egg for IVF.
Thuy An
