Pregnancy In Your 20s 30s & 40s
Your Pregnancy|October/November 2021
Have a healthy and happy pregnancy at any age. Here is how your body and your baby are affected by your age.
Margot Bertelsmann
Pregnancy In Your 20s 30s & 40s

TWENTIES YOUR BODY

Physically, you are in the golden age for reproduction right now: you will never be more fertile than in your early twenties. You have a 20 percent chance of conceiving every month.

THE GOOD

Your body will recover from the stress of pregnancy and childbirth fast, and, once your baby’s here, your energy levels are higher than an older mom’s. Pregnancy is also safest for you – the rates of gestational diabetes and hypertension (high blood pressure) are lower than at any other age.

Whether you feel ready for pregnancy is another matter. Over the past two to three generations, humans have been taking longer to mature, and there is a trend to extend adolescence, live with our parents into adulthood, and focus on careers before babies.

But if you do feel ready for children and choose to have a baby in your twenties, there are some advantages.

“It may be easier to adjust to the disruption of parenting. Later in life, you have become used to your life and routine, and your career may be more established and therefore disrupted by the arrival of a child,” says Joburg psychologist Thomas Burkhalter.

THE RISK OF HAVING A BABY WITH DOWN SYNDROME, FOR INSTANCE, INCREASES FROM 1 IN 350 BY AGE 35 TO 1 IN 100 BY AGE 40.

THE BAD

The biggest risk to fertility for you now are sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), says Johannesburg-based gynaecologist Dr Bronwyn Moore. Diseases such as gonorrhoea and chlamydia can damage the reproductive system. If you are HIV positive and pregnant, you will need specialised antenatal and postnatal care, so it’s important you tell your doctor or clinic.

THE UGLY

This story is from the October/November 2021 edition of Your Pregnancy.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the October/November 2021 edition of Your Pregnancy.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM YOUR PREGNANCYView All
COVID & your child
Your Pregnancy

COVID & your child

Symptoms, treatment, vaccines and a rare condition called MIS-C is on our minds when it comes to The Virus these days.

time-read
7 mins  |
December 2021/January 2022
EYES WIDE OPEN!
Your Pregnancy

EYES WIDE OPEN!

Breastfeeding and night wakings? Experts shine a light on a possible connection.

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2021/January 2022
RAISING A BRAT? TIME FOR A RESET!
Your Pregnancy

RAISING A BRAT? TIME FOR A RESET!

It happens, even with the best of intentions. Sometimes we go overboard trying to show our love – and then things backfire.

time-read
7 mins  |
December 2021/January 2022
Prioritise REST!
Your Pregnancy

Prioritise REST!

The fatigue of pregnancy serves to remind you exactly what miracle your body is performing, so it’s essential to listen to it. Here’s what you can do to get through these low times.

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2021/January 2022
CRYING CLUES
Your Pregnancy

CRYING CLUES

Discover the meaning behind your baby’s cries.

time-read
5 mins  |
December 2021/January 2022
Pushing isn't all you need to do!
Your Pregnancy

Pushing isn't all you need to do!

There are four main factors that affect the length and intensity of labour. They are known as the four P’s and work together to make each woman’s labour unique.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2021/January 2022
We're all NERVOUS about it!
Your Pregnancy

We're all NERVOUS about it!

Sure, it can seem scarier than labour, but with these simple tips to bathing your newborn, you’ll soon be a pro.

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2021/January 2022
FOUR-FOOTED FAMILY MEMBERS
Your Pregnancy

FOUR-FOOTED FAMILY MEMBERS

Your children and your pets – everything you’ll need to know to be a happy family.

time-read
5 mins  |
December 2021/January 2022
Here's to HAPPIER beach days!
Your Pregnancy

Here's to HAPPIER beach days!

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

time-read
5 mins  |
December 2021/January 2022
TALK SO YOU'RE HEARD!
Your Pregnancy

TALK SO YOU'RE HEARD!

Feel like your child just doesn’t listen to you? There are some techniques you can use to improve your chances of getting through.

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2021/January 2022