Can a woman give birth from a woman medical. Can I have children? How to know this before pregnancy and what is fertility? What is the probability that the doctor will prescribe surgery

In the modern world, a huge number of women strive to be "on an equal footing" with men and try to make a career for themselves, completely forgetting that they are able to continue the race. For this reason, late pregnancy for doctors is no longer some special case or exception.

According to the results of multiple studies, doctors concluded that after 35 years, some changes occur in the female body, due to which the chance of giving birth to a healthy child is reduced. This is due to the fact that in the female body from birth there is a certain supply of eggs. By the time of puberty, this reserve is halved, and by the age of 20, the number of eggs is halved. The older the body becomes, the fewer eggs it has left.

Adults are more likely to suffer from serious diseases due to poor ecology. This factor also has a significant impact on the number of healthy eggs.

Can you get pregnant after 50?

As you know, after 45 years in the body of a woman there is a serious change in the hormonal background - and menopause occurs. At this time, the woman's sexual activity is reduced.

However, as long as menstruation has not stopped, the likelihood of becoming pregnant is high. But in medical practice, cases have even been recorded when pregnancy occurs both during menopause (a year after it began) and several years later. The probability of getting pregnant during this period of a woman's life is small, but still it is.

Difficulties of late pregnancy

Women over 40 experience many more health problems during pregnancy than younger women. The most common is hypertension.

Throughout pregnancy, there is an increased risk of placental abruption and the pathological condition of the fetus. As a result, the likelihood of miscarriage increases significantly. But, absolutely at any age, you can avoid these difficulties if you prepare your body in advance of pregnancy.

A woman's body over 40 after childbirth will not recover as quickly as a young one. Rehabilitation will take much more time and effort. In this case, complications in the form of chronic diseases may occur.

Is it worth having a baby?

Late pregnancy causes bright hormonal outbreaks in the body, which may not affect it in the most favorable way. Before you decide whether you are leaving the pregnancy, you need to think about whether you are ready for the birth of a child or not.

Most women over the age of 50, of course, refuse to keep a child. But if you still decide to leave it, then you should consider that now there are two of you and you need to take care of your body twice as well.

You are pregnant. Well, it seems like you should be happy, but for some reason there are only questions in my head “Maybe it’s too late?”, “Will I be able to give birth to a healthy baby?”, and all because you are no longer a girl, and your age has exceeded the fourth decade. Do you think that child over 40 cannot be born healthy, because this period is the most dangerous for childbearing?
Throw all doubts and nonsense out of your head. Start rejoicing that you will soon become a mother, and trust that your pregnancy will pass without complications. Of course, doctors will tell you that it is dangerous to give birth at this age, and the pregnancy itself will be difficult.

If you have definitely decided for yourself that you are ready to become a mother, do not back down. By the way, after 40 children gave birth to world stars, such as Madonna, Iman, Annette Bening, Cherie Blair, Susan Saradon and Jerry Hall.

We offer to consider the most popular questions that arise among those who are going to have a baby after 40 years.

At what age is a woman considered late in labor?

In the early 80s, those who gave birth to children after 28 years old were considered “late” mothers, and in the 90s, those women whose age was more than 35 years old began to be called “old-timers”. Nowadays most often “late” women in labor include women over 37 years old.

What are the chances of giving birth after 40?

As a woman ages, her chances of getting pregnant decrease steadily. After 30 years, they fall by 20%, from 35 years old - by 45-50%, and from 40 years old - by about 90%. Of course, these figures in no way indicate that a child after 40 is an unfulfilled dream.

It is possible to give birth, and this was confirmed by scientists in North Carolina, who have been observing for two years for 782 pairs advanced age. The results showed that only 70 couples failed to conceive after having sex without condoms for two years. Principal researcher David Dunson says couples who want to have a baby after 40 should have patience and wait, while not forgetting about maintaining a constant sexual life. As a result, the intervention of modern reproductive technology can be avoided, unless there are good reasons for this.

Why do women give birth so late?

If we compare how forty-year-old women lived 10-30 years ago and how they live now, we can observe a high improving the quality of life. Today, such women have good health, can take care of themselves by visiting fitness and spa centers, besides, modern medicine can work real miracles. Dr. Julia Berryman believes that women over 40 are more ready to get pregnant, since they have already taken place in life, have a good job and all other benefits.

What is the percentage of mature women in labor?

In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of women giving birth in adulthood. Today, a child after 40 is born in 2% of pregnant women. A recent study indicates that out of seven pregnant women, one pregnant woman is over 35 years old.

Does the age of a man affect pregnancy after 40?

Scientists at the University of Bristol conducted a study that showed that mature women have to wait longer for pregnancy if their partner is the same age.

So, it has been proven that a woman who is 3-5 years younger than a man is less likely to become pregnant after 40 than a woman whose man is her age or 2-3 years younger. British researchers have confirmed this fact. They interviewed several women who indicated that their child after 40 was born from men who were several years younger than them.

What else can interfere with pregnancy after 40?

The following can prevent you from conceiving a child:

Wrong nutrition.
Overuse coffee. If you drink more than two cups a day, then the ability to conceive decreases, and the risk of miscarriage also increases.
Use alcohol.
Smoking after 35 years, it threatens with congenital malformation of the fetus and the birth of a child with low weight.
Thinness and fullness also negatively affects the birth of children in adulthood.
stress. The more a woman is nervous and worried, the less likely she is to have a baby after 40.

Do I need to seek medical help?

In adulthood, when it has already exceeded 35, a woman begins perimenopause, When very difficult to catch ovulation days. That is why it is best to seek the help of a doctor who will determine what can be done. Most likely, he will develop a special diet and prescribe vitamins. Some doctors advise their patients to undergo acupuncture, which has a positive effect on the development of ovulation.

What effect does age have on pregnancy?

The older a person gets, the more likely they are to develop any disease. As a rule, closer to 40, many women have chronic disorders, including diabetes. In addition, blood pressure can still increase, and the risk of malignant tumors is very high. Of course, such violations negatively affect the birth of children after 40.

And even if the woman does not have any diseases, hypertension, diabetes, and bleeding can occur at any time during pregnancy.

Postpartum complications increase already at the age of 20-29, but most often, and this is 20%, they appear at the age of 35-40 years. As a rule, with the development of modern medicine, any pregnancy disorders are recognized already at an early stage therefore more likely that a child after 40 years of age will be born healthy.

How is childbirth in adulthood?

Often, in order to give birth after 40, women have to induce labor, do epidural anesthesia. Many women in labor cannot give birth on their own, so they are given C-section.

Some studies show that much depends from the mood of the women in labor. Those who are more clearly aware of everything, it is easier to fulfill the requests of doctors and agree to a caesarean section.

Does the risk of giving birth by caesarean section increase with age?

While such dependence not installed. Surgical intervention has the same percentage, both at 30 and at forty years.

Can the age of the mother affect the development of the child?

High probability the fact that a child after 40 will be born unhealthy or developmentally disabled. The risk of having a child with a disease such as Down syndrome.

According to recent studies, after 30 years, one child in 400 is born Down, and after 40 - one in 32. In addition, late births can end ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage and stillbirth. It has not yet been possible to determine the cause of stillbirth in older pregnant women, while one out of 440 babies is still born today.

What is the percentage of miscarriages in women of mature age?

Miscarriages have become a frequent occurrence in our lives. Compared to new mothers, the risk of miscarriage in mature women is about 50% higher. Childbirth after 40 most often has such an outcome.

Here, by the way, obstetric and genealogical history plays a role. It will not be difficult to understand that women who have never had a miscarriage have a lower risk of miscarriage at the age of 40 than those who have experienced such a pregnancy outcome at least once in their lives.

How common are preterm births?

A child after 40 years old can be born prematurely, but only if the woman gives birth not the first child. Those who are expecting their first child most often give birth at term.

Does the chance of having twins or triplets increase with age?

The older the woman, the more likely that she will give birth to more than one child. But a greater chance falls on fertility fraternal twins.

There is an opinion that later children are more prone to diabetes. Is it so?

Yes, type 1 diabetes in later children depends on how old the mother was at the time of birth. At 35, it is about 25%, after forty 30% or more.

For example, a woman can give birth to a child after 40 who will develop diabetes in adolescence, while the probability is 3 times higher than in children born to young mothers.

Should a pregnant woman be under increased medical supervision?

Yes, a pregnant woman should most often go to the doctor, take tests and undergo various studies.

What is the probability that the doctor will prescribe surgery?

Yes, Doctors today tend to play it safe, appointing women in labor instead of the usual birth of a caesarean section. But today, all over the world, based on practice, doctors are trying to avoid such actions, increasingly directing women in labor to natural childbirth.

Maybe it's better to refuse the birth of a child?

There is a certain risk of having a baby after 40, but this is not a reason to refuse pregnancy. After all a healthy woman and at that age can give birth to a completely healthy child.

What types of tests are used to diagnose the pregnancy of "late" mothers?

There are two types of tests used in the process of monitoring a pregnant woman. This scanning and diagnostics. Scanning tests give only preliminary conclusions about the likely presence of deviations:

The study of hormonal levels in the blood. It is used to identify the risk of chromosomal abnormalities, including Down syndrome. Time of carrying out - 16-18 weeks of pregnancy.

Ultrasonography also used to detect various anomalies, including Down syndrome and various genetic disorders. A child after 40 is examined at 10-18 weeks of pregnancy.

Diagnostic tests provide more accurate and reliable information:

Chorionic test (CVS)- uterine cells are taken for research, during the diagnosis of which the presence or absence of Down syndrome, as well as some other genetic disorders, is revealed. A test is carried out at 11-13 weeks of pregnancy, the accuracy of the study is 99.9%.

Amniocentesis used to study amniotic fluid, during which the diagnosis of muscular dystrophy, Down's syndrome and many other genetic disorders occurs. The data obtained is accurate with 99.9%. Terms of carrying out - 16-19 weeks of pregnancy.

Alpha fetoprotein- a blood test, which is performed at 15-18 weeks. It is used to detect Down syndrome and defects of the nervous system.

Cordosentesis is a fetal blood test that helps detect rubella, toxoplasmosis, and Down syndrome. It is carried out at the 18th week of pregnancy.

Are tests dangerous for mother and child?

All tests do not pose a risk to the pregnant woman and her fetus, with the exception of amniocentesis, chorionic test and cordocentesis. When taking uterine cells for research, there is risk of miscarriage, and this may happen in one in 100 cases. The risk of miscarriage during cordocentesis and chorion test is 1-2%.

Should every woman do these tests?

No, not necessarily. Usually, every fifth woman, going to give birth to a child after 40, refuses to from passing such tests. This is their right, but it should be remembered that in some cases it is simply necessary to do this or that test from a medical point of view.

Is it true that mature women are better at handling their children?

Research shows that "mature" mothers are more calm, balanced and, as a rule, spend more time with their child. Life experience, accumulated over many years, makes itself felt precisely in the period of raising children. As a rule, they better shopping experience. By the way, according to statistics, the children of "late" mothers are more well-mannered and are distinguished by increased academic performance at school.

Can the birth of a child be a shock to the mother?

Undoubtedly, before that, a woman devoted her whole life to herself, and now 24 hours a day it is necessary to be near the baby. Fatigue, which is inherent in young mothers, does not leave those who have given birth to a child after 40.

There is an opinion that mature mothers live longer.

Research conducted by scientists at the University of Manchester showed that women who give birth at the age of 35-40 have a greater chance of surviving to 80-90 years. It was not possible to establish the reasons for this, but there is an assumption that the increase in the life of old-timers is due to postponing menopause to a later date.

They gave birth to late children

Geena Davis gave birth to a daughter, Alize Keshwar, at the age of 46. Two years later, twins appeared in the family.
Kim Basinger gave birth to a daughter, Ireland, at 42.
Beverly D, Angelo at the age of 46, she gave birth to twins with the help of artificial insemination.
Great Madonna gave birth to her first child, daughter Lourdes, at the age of 40, and 2 years later, her son Rocco was born. Hearing rumors that she was allegedly going to adopt a baby, the great star threatened to sue, as in fact she was accused of not being able to have children anymore. Most likely, in the near future, the pop diva will decide to give birth to her third child.

The birth of a baby is a happy moment, no matter how old his mother turned. Future "late" mothers once again want to wish patience and good mood. You will definitely be fine. So be prepared for the fact that all your time will be spent on a small creation. Is this not a woman's happiness?

The possibilities of women seem limitless: they will stop a galloping horse, and they will enter a burning hut, and even give birth at more than 50 years old! And, in fact, why not, if possible? However, is it worth agreeing to such an event at such a mature age? What are the chances of conceiving, enduring and giving birth to a child on your own at 50 years old? What do doctors say about this?

How does a woman's body change during menopause?

The news of pregnancy after 50 years has always evoked a feeling of unprecedented surprise not only among the woman herself, but also among society. Women in labor after 40 already cause strange feelings among others, and what can we say about more mature ladies.

From a medical point of view, the peak of fertility in women occurs between the ages of 20 and 25 years. This period is considered the most favorable for conceiving and bearing a child without further complications for both the baby and the mother. Is there a chance of getting pregnant in older women?

From the first days of a newborn girl's life, 400,000 eggs are present in her body. This number gradually decreases as they grow older, and by the age of 50 their number varies within 1000. With this amount, the risk of pregnancy is significantly reduced, but it is.

The eggs present in the female body are ready for the process of fertilization and the development of a new life. With the normal production of eggs in the body of a woman, a menstrual cycle occurs every month. By the age of 45 (±5 years), the amount of estrogen in a woman's body gradually decreases, which leads to the onset of menopause (menopause).

Stages of menopause

During the onset of menopause, you can give birth to a child at 50 years old, if you know the stages of this condition, which contain the "moment" of a possible conception.

Premenopause is the initial stage of the menopause. It starts 4-7 years before the menopause itself and lasts the same. A woman can identify its onset by several symptoms: meager and short periods that become irregular, hot flashes and heavy sweating, changes in mood, aversion to certain aromas and tastes, a feeling of morning sickness. These symptoms are very similar to the signs of pregnancy, so many women confuse premenopause with toxicosis during pregnancy. However, these two completely different conditions have in common that they arise due to hormonal changes.
Menopause or menopause. You can recognize it by the long absence of menstruation. Most often, menopause occurs in women after 50 years, so the risk of getting pregnant is almost zero.
Postmenopause is the final stage, which occurs about a year after the onset of menopause. It is also characterized by the complete absence of menstrual flow. However, the ovaries still retain the ability (albeit not fully) to perform their functions.

Possibility of late conception

Practice shows that it is possible to give birth to a child at the age of 50. Some ladies take this step quite consciously. This situation is possible for a number of reasons:

For women, this pregnancy is the first and desired. Therefore, women do not dare to give up their long-awaited happiness even at 50.
The woman began a serious relationship with a new man and wants to give birth to a child from him.
During intimacy, the couple did not use contraceptives, being sure that pregnancy was impossible during menopause. However, at this stage of a woman's life, childbearing function is preserved, although less likely.

The use of contraceptives remains relevant even during menopause. If a woman aged 50 or later has a regular sexual life, she should consult a doctor about the use of contraceptives. A good examination will help determine how fertile a woman is at this age.

As soon as the first stage of menopause comes, many women relax, realizing that their childbearing function is no longer so active. But at this time, the eggs are still quite active. Therefore, after 45 years, women should be especially attentive to their health.

We can summarize: a woman retains the ability to bear children for another 3-5 years after the onset of menopause.

What is the danger

Despite the fact that you can give birth at the age of 50, there is a considerable danger for both the woman herself and the fetus. Firstly, the body of a fifty-year-old woman cannot "boast" of excellent health, which was 20-30 years ago. The organs begin to malfunction, the function of the musculoskeletal system is disrupted, the amount of vitamins and hormones decreases, and metabolism slows down. All this does not contribute to the proper bearing of the child. The body will need strength, which is not so much at 50 years old.

As soon as the fact of pregnancy is confirmed in a mature woman, she is immediately placed under the strict control of a gynecologist, since the risk of miscarriage is extremely high. Also, in most cases, there is a significant deterioration in the condition of the pregnant woman herself.

The most dangerous is that in the early stages of pregnancy it can be easily confused with the onset of menopause, because the symptoms are the same. Therefore, not all women immediately manage to recognize their "interesting position". A visit to the gynecologist during early and late menopause is simply necessary.

Are there any benefits to late delivery?

Some women have a desire to give birth to a second child at the age of 50. In this case, they already know what awaits them and are psychologically more stable than primiparas. At this age, the risk of postpartum depression, which young girls often experience, is practically eliminated.

The advantages of such a late birth include the fact that by the age of 50 a woman in labor is already a fully formed personality. She has financial wealth and life experience. Therefore, the maintenance and care of the newborn will not cause problems for the "young" mother.

Another reason to leave pregnancy in adulthood is well-developed medicine, which allows you to carefully monitor the entire period of bearing a child.

The reason to leave the baby is the fact that at this age the pregnant woman "rejuvenates". We are talking about the fact that at this time in the body of a woman there is a restructuring, the production of hormones necessary for normal gestation is actively taking place. A woman in labor feels several years younger, the risk of heart attacks, stroke and osteoporosis decreases.

How to recognize pregnancy at 50

As mentioned earlier, the signs of such a late pregnancy are similar to the symptoms of menopause. It is worth paying special attention if such sensations appear:

Morning dizziness and nausea.
Delayed menstruation or its complete absence.
Insomnia.
Appearance of aversion to familiar smells and tastes.
Swelling of the mammary glands.
Fast fatiguability.
Frequent mood swings.
Irritability.

If these symptoms appear, you should immediately consult a doctor.

First pregnancy after 50: truth or myth

The desire of a woman to give birth at the age of 50 to a second or third child does not cause as many emotions in others as to give birth to the first. However, this is a completely natural process if the use of the IVF method is not required.

Before giving birth to a second or even first child at the age of 50, a woman must weigh all the risks.

For the natural conception and bearing of a child, the following factors are necessary:

Preservation of ovulation.
Produce enough estrogen.
Maturation and release of a mature egg.
The process of fertilization of a mature egg.

Danger for the unborn baby

It is possible for a woman at the age of 50 to give birth to a child, but before that it is necessary to realize all the risks not only for yourself, but also for your baby. It's not just about premature birth or miscarriage. Most often, it is children born from a mature woman who suffer from congenital pathologies and serious diseases.

If a child is born perfectly healthy, the presence of elderly parents can affect his psychological state. Some children feel uncomfortable next to such fathers and mothers in society, they are embarrassed. As practice shows, the relationship between children and elderly parents is not very trusting.

Each age has its own preferences and desires. A dad in his 60s is not as active as one who is only 30-35. It is unlikely that he will be happy to play football or other outdoor games with his son. A too-adult mother who already wants to just relax, but who is obliged to spend all day on her feet, caring for her little child, is unlikely to find the strength to go to the park with him or prepare for the matinee.

In addition, older children are often accompanied by the fear of losing their elderly parents in the very near future. Therefore, such a decisive turn in life as late pregnancy must be made after weighing all the pros and cons.

Difficulties in childbirth

Both gestation and childbirth in a mature woman are accompanied by difficulties. It is worth considering several complications that may occur during delivery:

Weak labor activity due to low concentration of female hormones.
Abundant bleeding that occurs during gestation and during delivery.
Numerous ruptures of the birth canal due to the fact that tissue elasticity is lost with age.

Due to the high risk of upcoming natural childbirth, many women after 50 years of age have a caesarean section. However, the possibility of natural delivery is not excluded, if the only limiting factor is age.

The opinion of doctors about late pregnancy

Is it possible to give birth at 50? What do doctors say about this? The reviews of experts are ambiguous, since how smoothly this crucial period in the life of a mature woman will go depends only on the individual characteristics of the body.

Some doctors do not see anything wrong with women becoming mothers at 50, especially for the first time. Others believe that the risks of complications are too high for both the mother and the unborn child.

Most doctors are convinced that it is worth abandoning pregnancy planning at such a late age. The body is no longer adapted to gestation and childbirth. A woman will need to supply him with the necessary vitamins and minerals throughout the entire period of pregnancy.

The strongest criterion against late pregnancy is a high chance of giving birth to a child with genetic disorders. According to statistics, mothers over the age of 40 are much more likely to have children with Down syndrome. Other chromosomal abnormalities are not uncommon. Therefore, many doctors recommend that their patients think carefully before planning the birth of a child. If a woman is determined, she is strongly recommended to undergo all the necessary examinations every month to eliminate the risk of developing fetal abnormalities.

Ways to conceive a child after 50

1. Natural process. Can a woman give birth at 50? Yes, but first you need to choose a way to conceive a child. Violation of natural conception is a modern problem even for young couples, not just older ones. But such a possibility is not excluded.

2. In vitro fertilization. Giving birth at 50 without IVF, as many want, is unlikely, but possible. However, IVF is the most effective process suitable for mature women. The procedure is expensive, but safe for both the woman and the unborn fetus.

3. Surrogate fertilization. This is an option that comes only when a woman is not able to become pregnant and bear a child on her own. But a child developing in the womb of a surrogate mother has the genetic information of a woman who is not capable of bearing. Therefore, this method for an elderly woman is the easiest and most painless.

How to protect yourself from late pregnancy

Women who have regular sex life during menopause and do not want to have children should take care of contraception.

Intrauterine contraceptives (spiral) are highly discouraged for use by women over 50 years of age.
Some oral medications are recommended to balance hormone levels during menopause. But it is better not to use emergency contraceptive drugs ("Postinor").
Sterilization by surgery.
barrier contraceptives.

Conclusion

You can give birth at 50. A woman who decides to take such a step must go through all the examinations and listen to the opinion of the gynecologist without fail.

Women who gave birth at the age of 50 are undoubtedly admired. What will be the fate of their baby? It depends on dozens of factors. Women who decide in favor of childbirth must weigh everything in advance.

The term "fertility" comes from the Latin word fertilis, which means "fertile, prolific." In the understanding of doctors, fertility is the ability of a sexually mature organism to produce viable offspring. A woman's fertility depends on three factors: the ability to conceive a child, the ability to endure it, and the ability to give birth. If any of the mentioned factors is absent, then fertility is considered to be reduced. The presence of all three factors indicates normal fertility.

I must say that in most cases, fertility is more associated with the possibility of conception, but the possibility of childbirth fades into the background. And indeed, with the modern development of obstetric science, the issue of delivery in the overwhelming majority of cases is solved successfully: at the stage of preparation for childbirth or in the process of childbirth, the question is promptly raised whether a woman can give birth herself, if that is not possible, a caesarean section is performed. The ability to carry a pregnancy is a separate topic for discussion, which usually arises from previous failures in carrying a pregnancy. Therefore, at the first stage, it is important to assess the ability of conception and gestation.

To understand what factors are important for conception, let's remember how this process occurs. In the middle of the menstrual cycle, an egg matures in the ovaries, ready for fertilization. It leaves the ovary - it happens, after which the egg enters the fallopian tube, where it remains viable for about 24 hours. If fertilization does not occur, the egg dies.

During a male orgasm, between 200 and 400 million spermatozoa enter the woman's vagina. Part of the sperm flows out of the female genital tract, the rest through the cervix enters the uterine cavity and then into the fallopian tubes. The speed of movement of spermatozoa is different. It is believed that sperm containing the Y chromosome move faster (when fertilized they will be a boy) than sperm containing the X chromosome (when fertilized they will be a girl). In general, spermatozoa remain in a woman's body for 48-72 hours. In the fallopian tube, the egg and sperm meet. The spermatozoa surround the egg and secrete a substance that dissolves its membrane, and one of the spermatozoa is introduced into it, determining the beginning of conception. After that, another male cell can no longer penetrate inside. The sperm fuses with the egg, creating a single-celled embryo - the zygote. As the fertilized egg moves down the fallopian tube, it divides into more and more cells. Approximately on the 4th day, it reaches the uterine cavity. By this time, it already contains about 100 cells. In the following days, the egg moves inside the uterus. At the beginning of the 2nd week after fertilization, the egg begins to penetrate into the mucous membrane of the uterine wall. This process is called implantation. As soon as the egg is securely attached to the wall, the conception process is considered complete. The villi of the outer cells of the embryo penetrate the epithelium lining the uterus and connect with the mother's blood vessels to subsequently form the placenta. Other cells will develop into the umbilical cord and membranes that protect the fetus. The internal cells will be divided into three layers and will give rise to various organs and tissues.

So, for the onset of pregnancy, a normal menstrual cycle is important, which is a kind of guarantor, a sufficient supply of eggs in the ovaries, passable fallopian tubes and endometrium that can accept a fetal egg.

A normal menstrual cycle is one of the main indicators of the state of the organs of a woman's reproductive system. There are several characteristics by which one can judge the "normality" of menstruation.

The duration of one menstrual cycle is on average 28 days, but the duration of the cycle is considered normal from 21 to 35, while the duration of the menstrual cycle can vary not only throughout life, but also from cycle to cycle. Normal menstruation usually lasts 3-7 days. During this time, a woman loses about 250 ml of blood. This value is quite difficult to measure, so it is customary to focus on the amount of hygiene products (pads) that have to be spent during menstruation. Normally, one pad should last for 2-4 hours. In the early days, menstruation is usually somewhat more abundant than at the end. Menstrual blood may contain small clots.

In order to easily navigate your menstrual cycle, you need to keep a calendar. Modern electronic gadgets allow you to do this without any problems, you just need to download any program with a menstrual calendar to your phone or tablet. Any changes in the cycle outside the specified limits: lengthening, shortening of the cycle, the menstruation itself, both an increase and a decrease in the amount of menstrual blood, the appearance of intermenstrual spotting - may be a sign of reduced fertility.

The follicular reserve, or ovarian reserve, is the reserve in the ovaries of follicles that can develop normally and ovulate as a mature egg.

Even before birth, each female body receives a huge reserve of follicles (about 5–7 million) that can give life to an egg. However, by the time the girl is born, only 1-2 million of them remain, of which 90% remain in their infancy, and only 10% are able to become full-fledged eggs. By the beginning of puberty, only 200-400 thousand of them remain. This is a kind of reserve.

So, in one menstrual cycle, along with the dominant follicle (from which the egg will come out), about 1000 brothers are simultaneously activated, grown and atresia (reverse development of immature follicles). Thus, the available reserve is used up in just 3–4 decades. On average, throughout her life, a woman reaches her full development of only about 400 follicles.

It is now established that after 37–38 years, the rate of follicular atresia increases, and this significantly reduces the ovarian reserve and the likelihood of becoming pregnant. And by the time of menopause, the follicular supply of the ovaries is completely depleted.

In order to assess this parameter, on the 5-7th day of the cycle, an ultrasound examination is performed and the level of a number of blood hormones is determined.

It is good if at the beginning of the menstrual cycle at least 5 follicles are determined in each ovary. To assess the presence of own ovulation, several ultrasound examinations can be performed in one menstrual cycle in order to determine whether the growth of the dominant follicle (which contains the egg) is observed, whether the egg is released from the ovary. In this case, in the ovary, at the site of the dominant follicle, in the second phase of the menstrual cycle, the corpus luteum is determined by ultrasound.

Fertility of a woman: determination of blood hormones

Hormones are biologically active substances that are produced by the endocrine glands, that is, they come from these glands directly into the blood. From there, hormones are sent to target organs - places that need hormonal influence and are able to perceive this influence.

You and I are interested in the hormones that control the organs of the reproductive system of a woman responsible for childbearing in women. Let's try to figure out how this happens and what tests a gynecologist usually recommends to take to find out if there is a problem with hormones.

So, the central control station for hormonal flights is located in the very center of the brain - this is the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. The hypothalamus produces biologically active substances, statins and liberins, which control the work of the pituitary gland (these substances are not studied in the laboratory in ordinary medical practice). The pituitary gland produces follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). These hormones act on the ovaries: under the influence of FSH, the follicle grows, which is both a “house” for the egg and an endocrine gland that produces estrogens (estradiol, estriol). Estrogens, in turn, act on the uterus, mammary glands, skin, hair, nails, etc.

Under the influence of LH, the ovaries secrete the hormone progesterone. It is produced by the corpus luteum of the ovary, a gland that forms in the ovary when an egg leaves it (after ovulation). Progesterone also acts on target organs - the uterus, mammary glands, etc. In addition, if pregnancy occurs, progesterone ensures its normal course in the initial stages of gestation. At the same time, pituitary and ovarian hormones interact according to the principle of negative feedback: when little estrogen enters the blood from the ovaries, the amount of FSH begins to increase, with a decrease in the amount of progesterone, the production of LH increases. Such waves of hormone production replace each other during the menstrual cycle: in the first phase of the menstrual cycle, FSH prevails, followed by estrogens, and in the second - LH, followed by progesterone. With the onset of menopause, when the ovaries almost cease to produce female sex hormones, the production of FSH increases significantly.

In order to determine how large the reserve of eggs in the ovaries is, the doctor may need to test for anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and inhibin - the higher these numbers, the greater the follicular reserve.

The pituitary gland produces another hormone that affects the female body - this is prolactin (PRL). Its importance is undeniable during breastfeeding, but the production of prolactin occurs throughout life. If the amount of prolactin increases outside of pregnancy, then this negatively affects the work of the ovaries up to the blockade of the maturation of the egg and the cessation of menstruation.

Oddly enough, the female body cannot do without male sex hormones, and they are produced mainly in the ovaries and adrenal glands. Women, as a rule, are bothered by an excess of male sex hormones. It is extremely rare that an increased amount of male sex hormones occurs suddenly and is due, for example, to the appearance of an ovarian tumor that produces male hormones. Much more often, an increased background of male hormones is a feature that is given to a woman from birth - it cannot be eliminated completely, but the undesirable effect of male sex hormones can be neutralized. In order to understand if there is an excess of them, the blood levels of testosterone (or a more accurate analysis of the free testosterone index), 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OPK) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHA-S) are determined.

In addition to these hormones, the well-being of a woman, the menstrual cycle, and reproductive function are affected by the work of the thyroid gland, so it may be necessary to determine the amount of pituitary thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (T4 free).

Fertility: determination of the state of the endometrium

As already mentioned, in order for a fertilized egg to grow in the uterine cavity, it is necessary that the endometrium (the lining of the uterus) is ready to receive it. There are several ways to assess the endometrium more or less accurately. On ultrasound, the endometrium before ovulation looks relatively thin. Gradually, with the course of the menstrual cycle, its thickness increases. With full ovulation, it continues to grow and reaches 10–12 mm before the onset of menstruation.

If there is a suspicion of a particular problem with the endometrium, then hysteroscopy is prescribed - a study in which a small video camera is inserted into the uterine cavity, and then a piece of mucous is taken for analysis for examination (biopsy).

Determination of fertility: are the fallopian tubes passable

This issue is usually not a priority when assessing the fertility of a woman planning a pregnancy in the future, it is resolved if there is a suspicion of infertility or there have already been unsuccessful pregnancies, especially if it was an ectopic pregnancy. Anatomically, the fallopian tubes are tubules 10–12 cm long and only about 5 mm in diameter. These formations are normally not visible during ultrasound (by the way, if the description of the ultrasound indicates that the tubes are not visualized, this is normal). To see the fallopian tube, it is filled with one or another liquid, and the moment of filling is fixed using an X-ray machine, using ultrasound or laparoscopy.

Thus, fertility is a complex concept, for the definition of which more or less examinations are used in different cases, and the definition of fertility should in any case be the first step in pregnancy planning.

The causes of premature depletion of the follicular reserve are:

genetic predisposition along the female line: mother, grandmother or sisters have various menstrual irregularities, problems with conception, pregnancy, early menopause;
a decrease in the initial intrauterine follicular reserve is likely if the mother of the examined woman had a difficult pregnancy, with complications, for example, with severe infectious diseases, various conditions leading to oxygen starvation of the fetus;
operations on the ovaries with excision of their tissue or operations during which the blood supply to the ovaries is disturbed;
various diseases of the pelvic organs, for example, adnexitis, salpingo-oophoritis, which contribute to the development of adhesions in the pelvis, the development of connective tissue in the ovaries, a decrease in blood supply and the death of follicles.

“Such experiments have two sides,” said the deputy director of the Institute of Genetics. N.I. Vavilova, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Evgeny Platonov, - firstly, a person needs to reproduce sexually, this is the natural adaptability of the human body to the environment, which otherwise can sharply decrease or completely disappear. Secondly, a fetus created only by the mother's genomes is more likely to be abnormal. On the other hand, with sufficient study of this issue, women around the world will be able to get rid of infertility. In our country, experiments with stem cells are also being carried out; scientists have been working on this problem for about twenty years. But we don’t have such powerful funding as in the West.”

Russian biologists note that such developments will not be implemented soon, and the possibility of switching to a single-sex breeding system is still unlikely.

British biologists plan to get the first results in the next ten years, but in five years it will be possible to talk about the success of the experiment.

Discussion of the article “A woman does not need a man to give birth to a child”

Alyona

It will be just wonderful when Women can give birth themselves) This will be an opportunity for Same-sex couples. It is desirable that Men would have this and that children would be born healthy). And then everything will be fine in the world.

23.02.2020 (23:05)

Anna

I believe that children should be born only out of great mutual love!
In a heterosexual society, children are most often born on an aerial basis, they are born because it is necessary. Maybe that's why there are so many evil people on the planet ..?!
Dear members, give birth, please, from your men.
I really look forward to when it will be possible to continue with my beloved woman. And if such a scientific experience is possible, then the Universe will sooner or later give us a chance to become parents of a beautiful child! I want my blood and my loved one to flow in my child, and not some stranger who I don’t fucking need.

30.10.2018 (14:21)

unknown

So ten years have passed. How is it going? 😊😅

22.08.2018 (09:12)

Asp

I don't think this should be a big problem. First, there are indeed same-sex couples who love each other. And if for two men there is no such question as such, then two women may well want to have a common child. Secondly, often, in single-parent families, and those are much more common than same-sex families, it is precisely two women who are engaged in raising children - mother and grandmother. Not eating is good, but not fatal. And finally, thirdly, couples of two women in love are a statistically rare phenomenon even in a tolerant society. So they will not have any significant impact on the development of society. Well, unless we get a chance to get even further away from caveman thinking and prejudice.

27.05.2018 (03:09)

Sofia

It would be great to give birth from a beloved woman. A common child. With her eyes. not from a stranger

02.11.2017 (18:41)

marina

You are completely e..s. Lesbians run to geyropu they will understand you there. I would never trade motherhood from a man (2 children) for some dubious experiment.

09.08.2017 (17:09)

Elena Korotkova

Brad, don't believe it.

16.12.2016 (08:40)

Irina

Well, I can say the following about this article.
I once knew a doctor who proved to me that a woman can give birth from a woman. And I came to grips with this issue, only after seven years something began to dawn.
I am not against same-sex love, I had such an experience. I met girls looking for the same one and lived with one for two years. But I believe that it was just a transitional age and problems with female sexual dysfunction, as well as passive men. However, the first kiss should be for a girl from a man, deflowering from a man and a child also from a man, while even having a relationship with a woman .. Let's think sensibly! How to take this fluid from the brain so as not to harm yourself and God forbid the child. Women can find a suitable man, one gives birth, the other becomes a godmother and love each other, but you need to give birth from a man.

25.06.2016 (16:12)

Elina

I want to give birth to a child from my beloved!! I love her very much. We have known each other for a year and 3 months and I want her or me to give birth to a baby-GIRL similar to my beloved. I will love her even more strongly for the happiness that was given to me in the performance and the birth of a child. I wish everyone the same love !! To love is great, and to love a WOMAN you love is an inexpressible happiness, spiritual wealth.

29.03.2016 (21:07)

Tatiana

Good day to all. Please tell me where to go (to which nearest reproductive center) to give birth from a beloved woman. And how much does it cost. Thanks to all the kind people. Be happy with your loved ones!

17.12.2014 (16:33)

Lena

Good article

16.01.2012 (02:08)

Yaroslav

Elena, respect to you! Thank you! Some simply do not really understand how madly they want a child from their LOVED person. What would the child be common. It is important! The degeneration and decline in the birth rate is precisely due to the fact that some people who love each other, if it is impossible to get pregnant from each other, refuse to have children at all. And in our country, it is even impossible to adopt a child of a loved one, if he is of the same sex as you, and joint upbringing of adopted children. Here you are, dear girls, and the decline in the birth rate, here is the degeneration. The degeneration of a lagging nation.

07.02.2011 (02:29)

Elena

And this is very necessary for those who do not want to give birth to men!

23.10.2009 (18:50)

Albi

You can not discount men - this will lead humanity to degeneration. No robots can replace a living person. Unfortunately, many people are generally difficult to call alive. All their life aspirations concern only their body. Such men can be replaced with a vibrator without any damage. A living person is the most precious thing. He carries in his heart such wealth that no amount of money can buy. And he will then pass this wealth on to his children.

01.06.2008 (22:10)

Olga

And why is it needed? Poor men, soon it will be so difficult for them, because a woman has already been taught almost everything, and we have some elements of the male body on sale, soon there will be a robot replacing men, if we can conceive children ourselves, then it’s understandable why they began to look at their own kind and change floor. I would not like to have a weak stronger sex nearby, but science still wants to do this, or replace men.

05.04.2008 (11:48)

Bagheera

Everything should be natural! as God created, as nature created!

08.03.2008 (21:13)

mom pvlch olya 8

Doesn't need a man (Research)

Men all over the world were shocked by the news that soon, a woman will be able to conceive a child without male participation. This is exactly the bold statement made by British biologists from the University of Newcastle. The British have already applied for the start of research that will allow them to obtain full-fledged spermatozoa from the female bone marrow in a few years. The main material in such an experiment will be brain stem cells, which can be transformed into cells of any type.