Kourtney Kardashian announces pregnancy at 44; know all about geriatric pregnancies

Even though geriatric pregnancies are termed high-risk, there are some benefits to having a baby later in life

New Delhi | June 21, 2023 04:40 PM IST

3 min read

The 44-year-old reality TV star will be giving birth to her first baby with husband Travis Barker. (Source: Unsplash)

Kourtney Kardashian announced her pregnancy to the world –including her husband, Travis Barker– the past week in the cutest way. While Barker performed at his concert with the rest of his Blink-182 bandmates, Kardashian stood holding a placard up that said, “Travis, I’m pregnant.”

The 44-year-old reality TV star will be giving birth to her first baby with husband Travis Barker. She has three kids, Mason, Penelope, Reign, with former partner Scott Disick.

See the cute announcement video she posted on Instagram.

Getting pregnant at 44 was no easy feat for Kardashian as has been well documented on her Instagram and their namesake tv show on Hulu.

Any pregnancies that occur in women, who are 35 years of age or older, are termed as geriatric pregnancies, which are also known as advanced maternal age pregnancies, in layman terms.

Dr Rashmi Baliyan, Gynaecologist and Obstetrician Consultant, Primus Super Speciality Hospital, says, “As women age, their fertility declines and the likelihood of certain pregnancy complications increases.”

While geriatric pregnancies are generally considered high-risk, not all cases result in complications. However, the risks do increase compared to pregnancies in younger women, according to Dr Baliyan.

ALSO READ | Kourtney Kardashian’s ‘finest work’ is the tattoo she made on Travis Barker’s arm; know what it is

Gestational diabetes, preeclampsia (a high blood pressure disorder), chromosomal abnormalities (such as Down syndrome), preterm birth, and caesarean delivery are some risks associated with geriatric pregnancies.

Baliyan explains that geriatric pregnancies are often monitored closely and require more frequent prenatal visits. “Your healthcare provider may recommend additional tests, such as genetic screenings, to assess the health of the baby,” she adds.

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Even though geriatric pregnancies are termed high-risk, there are benefits to having a baby later in life. Parents in their late 30s or 40s will have much more financial and emotional stability as compared to younger parents due to having established careers and support systems. Their life experiences can also contribute to better parenting skills. But Dr Baliyan suggests weighing these potential benefits against the increased risks associated with geriatric pregnancies.

If you or someone you know is a geriatric pregnant person, there are some symptoms that you need to watch out for as they require immediate medical attention. Dr Baliyan lists them: “severe abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, fluid leakage, decreased fetal movement, high blood pressure, severe headaches, visual disturbances, and signs of preterm labor (such as regular contractions before 37 weeks).”

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