As Naomi Campbell announces the birth of her daughter at 50, doctors weigh in on pregnancy post 40

Naomi Campbell

Supermodel Naomi Campbell's announcing the arrival of her baby girl last week caught many fans by surprise - while many didn't know she was expecting a child at all, others were concerned about her relatively older age. "Pregnancy at a perimenopausal age [above 45 years] has become more common due to recent advancements in fertility techniques. Women who have frozen their eggs prior to menopause can opt for pregnancy at an advanced age. They can either carry their pregnancy or can use surrogate mothers," explains Dr Vaishali Joshi, an obstetrician and gynaecologist at Kokilaben Ambani Hospital. She adds women can also use donor eggs to conceive.

Naomi Campbell's Baby announcement on social media caused a stir. Pics Courtesy Getty Images, Instagram

"Women are born with a constant number of eggs. As their age advances, the number of eggs gets depleted. Advancing age, therefore, brings with it an increased incidence of infertility. The chances of pre-existing medical conditions such as diabetes and hypertension increases, which can complicate the pregnancy further," warns Dr Amodita Ahuja, an obstetrician and infertility specialist.

During the pregnancy, there can be increased incidence of miscarriages, chromosomal abnormalities in the baby such as Down's Syndrome and Turner's Syndrome, preeclampsia or increased blood pressure after 20 weeks of pregnancy, gestational diabetes, preterm labour and low birth weight.

Dr Vaishali Joshi; Dr Amodita Ahuja

Dr Ashwini Bhalerao Gandhi, a consultant gynaecologist at PD Hinduja Hospital, advises expecting mothers to undergo blood investigations and ultrasonography examinations to rule out complicating factors. Prenatal tests such as triple markers, chorionic villus sampling and anomaly scans are essential to detect birth defects in the foetus.

Have a strong support system

I had my younger daughter Mythili at 42. Although my family was supportive, all my acquaintances advised me against it, pointing to my age. Fortunately, I did not get diabetes or high blood pressure. I went into labour three weeks early. While I had been taking prenatal yoga classes and was eager to deliver naturally, the doctor was insistent on a C-section. Fortunately, we changed doctors and I could deliver as planned. Having a baby at any age is a huge life change, more so when you become a mother later in life. It's crucial to have the right support so you can be confident in your choice.
Rashmi Deshpande, 46, sales professional

It's physically demanding

We decided to have a second child nine-and-a-half years after our first, because our daughter Dishita was very lonely as an only child. I suffered certain complications as my placenta was very low, and I was advised almost bed rest since the second month. I also experienced spotting throughout my pregnancy and could not opt for a natural delivery since my haemoglobin levels were very low. Since delivering my son, I still experience severe back pain and migraine headaches. I can tell that this pregnancy has taken a toll on my body. However, witnessing the magical bond my two children share convinces me that I've made the right decision.
Mamta Sehgal, 41, marketing professional