On June 27, Korean actress Son Ye Jin announced on her Instagram that she is pregnant with her first child with actor Hyun Bin.
In her post, the Crash Landing On You star said that she is already feeling the changes in her body.
Yonhap News Agency, a major news agency in South Korea reports that the actress' agency said that she is currently at an early stage of pregnancy, but did not disclose the exact number of months.
What's it like to be pregnant in your 40s
Son Ye Jin will be a first-time mom in her 40s. Experts consider pregnancy risks are higher for women older than age 35, Mayo Clinic said. They are considered to be in the advanced maternal age (AMA).
According to Healthline, having a baby when a woman is 40 has become common these days. Due to advancements in technology, it's possible to safely deliver a baby at age 40.
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOWDr. Camilla Fernandez-de Dios, an obstetrician-gynecologist told Smart Parenting, "Most OBs are concerned din kapag 40s na yung patient nila. We need closer monitoring unlike sa younger patients."
She adds, "There's the test for nuchal translucency ng 11-14 weeks to check for risk for Down syndrome sa baby, and then congenital anomaly scan (what we call CAS) is important, it's done at 22-24 weeks to check for possible problems in the baby."
According to Dr. Fernandez-de Dios, as women get older, the risks for the following problems become higher too.
- high blood pressure
- gestational diabetes
- birth defects
- miscarriage
- low birth weight
She stresses, this is not to discourage women who want to conceive, rather to give awareness of the possible outcomes of having a baby in their 40s.
"Although I've also seen patients na abot pa nga ng 44yo pero healthy and doing well and baby. As OBs, we anticipate the worst that can happen, but also, we always hope for the best for our advanced maternal age patients," Dr. Fernandez-de Dios adds.
CONTINUE READING BELOWwatch nowHow does age affect labor and delivery
Healthline says, vaginal delivery may be less likely, and even if this is possible, the process might be more challenging as you get older. Whether you become pregnant at 20, 30, or 40, all women just hope for a smooth pregnancy, safe delivery, and a healthy baby.
How to conceive at 40
If you are over 40 years old and you want to conceive, you may consult a fertility specialist so that they can give the options for you.
READ ALSO: Want a Baby when you’re 40? Vitrification Makes it Possible
Moms in their 40s
Miriam Quiambao, who had her first child Elijah when she was 43, previously shared that they tried the in vitro fertilization (IVF) route but it didn't work. They were also considering adoption, but they didn't need it when she conceived her baby naturally in 2018. The host and beauty queen got pregnant again at age 45.
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOWIn South Korea, actress Choi Ji-woo, 46, welcomed her first child in May 2020. She starred in the popular TV series Stairway to Heaven.
Celebrities like Phoemela Baranda and Ynez Veneracion got pregnant again in their 40s.
For Phoemela, who had her second child in 2020 after 20 years, she had anxieties.
"The only difference is that I'm more mentally prepared, but I feel the same amount of excitement and love," the host said.
She adds, "I'm so amazed at the apps for pregnancy now. They're so much fun and helpful!"
Support groups like the Smart Parenting Village are available for moms and dads of any age.
In August 2021, Ynez gave birth to a baby girl after a decade. She was 40 at the time.
Ina Raymundo, who once said she wants to have more kids at 42, shared, "I'm a baby maker talaga," Ina says in jest, and then adding "I love carrying babies. I love having babies, I love breastfeeding, I love everything about being a mom."
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOWAs Ye-jin said, "We will protect the precious life that has come to us. I hope you all stay healthy by taking good care of the things you need to protect in your life. Be happy."
As for Hyun Bin, who will be a first-time dad at 38, what would his experience be like? Let's save it for another story.
Read the letter of a 40-year-old first time dad to his kids, here.
What other parents are reading
.jpg)
.jpg)
