nagpur :-Experts debate pros and cons of late pregnancies

Advancements in medical technology help many couples realise their dream of becoming parents even at a late age, but this parenthood is rarely smooth sailing and comes with its share of unique problems.

Debating this issue at the annual national conference of Indian Medical Association (IMA), Dr Sanjay Deshpande pointed out how some elderly women are elated to become mothers at an age when they could be grandmothers. He went on to give an example of joint families, where some uncles and nephews are almost the same age to prove that late pregnancies are not an alien phenomenon for Indian women.

Trying to create an identity for themselves, today's women often delay marriage and motherhood. Also, being childless, or without a son, forces some women to keep trying for one. While we come across examples of women over 50 giving birth, doctors consider it late even if a women aspires for motherhood in her late-thirties.

Dr Anil Humne agreed with his colleague. "Technology is for human consumption. There is no question of right or wrong in using it to our advantage. Especially so, when there are desperate people demanding its use," he said.

Many gynaecologists though, most of them women, warn against the perils of 'playing God'. Dr Meena Chimote, president of Nagpur Obstetrics and Gynaecological Society (NOGS), who happens to the first doctor in city to introduce the concept of in-vitro fertilisation (IVF), said that when a woman gets older, conception may lead to serious complications in both the child and mother. "Even when couples are considering adoption, the rule of thumb is that the combined age of both parents should be less than ninety. I believe the same should apply to IVF or test tube babies," she said.

Also disagreeing with Dr Deshpande, Dr Anuradha Ridhorkar said, "It would be very unnatural and unhealthy to make a frail body do what nature has indicated it should not." She also iterated the fact that after a certain age, the hormonal treatment used for IVF can be carcinogenic.

Dr Vibhavari Dani, former dean of GMC, said that conception after a particular age was generally associated with many problems, including genetic defects and growth problems. "The baby can be born prematurely or have autism or other disorders. There are increased chances of miscarriages and stillbirths, too. Such children may also suffer from various health problems later in life," she said.

Elderly mothers also face various complications during and after the pregnancy. Dr Ujjwala Deshmukh said women with late pregnancy have a higher tendency of developing breast cancer, high blood pressure and diabetes, among other ailments.

Other than the medical problems, many social problems can also crop up in cases of delayed pregnancies. Dr Chimote said, "The mother may not be in a condition to run after the child during its infancy. Besides, there is a fair chance that the parents would not survive until the child's teenage."

Most infertility clinics of the city insist that they do not promote conception in women after the age of 45. Dr Chaitanya Shembekar recalls an incident wherein a 54-year-old lady came to him for treatment. "We put her through counselling, telling her all the risks involved. This forced her to change her mind," he said.

However, Dr Indrajeet Mulik's opinion differs. "If the woman is considered healthy and financially stable, there's no harm in letting her become a mother up to 55," he said.