Pre pregnancy check ups are closely related to the safety of expectant mothers and the fetus, especially for elderly pregnant women. Because there are significant differences in physical fitness and suitable pregnancy conditions after the optimal childbearing age, the risks of pregnancy will be greater. So what tests do elderly expectant mothers need to undergo?
1. Monitoring blood pressure
Due to the high risk of gestational hypertension in elderly pregnant women, it is necessary to regularly monitor blood pressure during pregnancy. If symptoms such as headaches, leg swelling, and elevated blood pressure occur, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
2. Amniocentesis
As women age, the likelihood of fetal chromosomal abnormalities increases. Therefore, elderly pregnant mothers should undergo amniocentesis to detect fetal chromosomal abnormalities.
3. Chorionic villi and amniotic fluid examination
At around 11 weeks of pregnancy, a biopsy needle is inserted into the uterine cavity through the cervix or abdominal wall to reach the placenta, and a small amount of chorionic villi tissue is removed for examination. This examination can accurately detect whether the fetus is abnormal and is generally used for elderly pregnant women.
4. Blood glucose screening test
Older pregnant mothers have a higher probability of diabetes in pregnancy, so blood glucose screening tests should be carried out around 28 weeks of pregnancy, which is a very important means to find diabetes in pregnancy.
5. Examination of glucose tolerance
After a normal (50g) sugar screening test for older pregnant women, or if the sugar screening test has not been passed, or if the pregnant women have diabetes, they will have a glucose tolerance test. First, draw fasting blood glucose once, then drink glucose water and draw blood every hour for a total of three times.
6. Ultrasonic examination
Older pregnant mothers should undergo at least 2-3 B-ultrasound examinations during pregnancy to not only understand the fetal development status, but also rule out very serious deformities such as heart and ventricular structural abnormalities.
7. Fetal heart monitoring
In the last month of pregnancy, elderly pregnant mothers should pay special attention to fetal movement. Those who have the conditions should have fetal heart rate monitoring once a week to understand the safety of the fetus in the uterus.
8. Pelvic measurement
The pelvic and ligament functions of elderly pregnant women begin to deteriorate, and the elasticity of the soft birth canal tissue is relatively small. The uterine contraction force is also correspondingly weakened, which can easily lead to various difficult deliveries. Therefore, elderly pregnant mothers should undergo pelvic measurements by obstetricians and determine the method and timing of delivery based on the size of the fetus.
