Women of all ages can be seen pushing baby strollers around these days, including a growing number of women in their 30s and 40s. That is because birth rates for older women have been increasing since 1990, jumping 47 percent for women ages 35 to 39 and 80 percent for women ages 40 to 44. While most older mothers have healthy pregnancies, there are some things you should know if you are planning to become pregnant after age 35.

• Fertility starts to decline as you enter your 30s. This is because women are born with a limited number of eggs and quality of the eggs usually begins to decline after this age.

• After the age of 35, women have an increased risk of fertility problems, gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, Cesarean section, chromosomal abnormalities, miscarriage, placenta previa, premature delivery and stillbirth. Many of these complications can be managed thanks to advances in medical care and good prenatal care.

• In addition to a preconception appointment, keep all prenatal appointments after getting pregnant to monitor your health and prevent and control any problems that may develop.

• Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. Remember to avoid alcohol, don’t smoke, and limit caffeine to no more than 300 milligrams per day. Ask your doctor before taking any medications or supplements.

• Gain the right amount of weight to not only support your baby’s health, but also make it easier to lose the pounds after delivery. Stay physically active unless your doctor advises otherwise.

• Have certain prenatal tests as recommended by your doctor, such as chorionic villus sampling, amniocentesis or quad marker screen. 

To read more about risks associated with advancing maternal age, visit the free, online health library on the Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake website at DoctorsHospitalDallas.com/HighRiskPregnancy.

Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake

9400 Poppy Drive
Dallas, TX 75218

214 324-6100
www.doctorshospitaldallas.com

Urinary incontinence, or the loss of bladder control, is a symptom, not a disease. On a temporary basis, it can be caused by vaginal infections, constipation or certain medications. Persistent urinary incontinence (UI) can be caused by weakness of the bladder or the muscles supporting it, overactive bladder muscles or urinary tract blockage.

There are four types of UI. Stress incontinence happens when certain activities such as coughing, sneezing or laughing increase abdominal pressure on the bladder. Urge incontinence occurs when the need to urinate happens too quickly to get to the bathroom in time. Overflow incontinence involves small amounts of urine leaking from the bladder that never empties completely. Functional incontinence affects people with normal bladder control but who cannot get to the bathroom quickly due to physical limitations such as arthritis that make moving difficult.

Once the cause of UI has been identified, treatment options usually fall into three main categories:

Behavioral techniques require making certain lifestyle changes, such as following a regular toilet schedule. Pelvic floor muscle exercises are recommended to strengthen the muscles below the bladder that control urination.

Medications can be prescribed to treat urge incontinence. These drugs block nerve impulses to the bladder, decreasing the urgency and frequency of urination.

Medical devices or surgery are also available to treat incontinence. Women can use a urethral insert (a small tampon-like disposable device) or pessary (a vaginal insert) to help manage stress incontinence. Commonly used surgical procedures performed to treat UI include sling procedures, bladder neck suspension or artificial urinary sphincter implantation. 

UI should not be suffered in silence. Hiding incontinence can lead to rashes, sores, and skin or urinary tract infections. To learn more, take the free, online UI quiz on the Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake website at DoctorsHospitalDallas.com/IncontinenceQuiz.

Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake

9400 Poppy Drive
Dallas, TX 75218

214 324-6100
www.doctorshospitaldallas.com