If you want to get pregnant when you are older, then a new blood test might help. Measuring AMH which is a hormone found in a woman’s ovaries can predict the age at which a woman is likely to reach menopause, and thus give an idea as to when she is likely to stop being fertile. This is usually about a decade before menopause age.
This test is particularly useful for women who fear that they might have an early menopause and would allow them to plan getting pregnant accordingly.
Scientists in Iran have carried out the new study that has used this test to predict menopause and thus fertility, and have found that it is accurate to within about a third of a year.
My grandmother and a cousin both developed severe rheumatic autoimmune diseases after pregnancy, when being previously fine before pregnancy. I have not been able to find any additional evidence of pregnancy causing an autoimmune disease to develop, but am wondering if anyone knows of a link between the two, either clinical or anecdotal.
I realize that pregnancy has effects on women who already have autoimmune diseases, but am trying to weigh the risks of developing an illness from being pregnant. Any additional information would be very helpful. Thank you!
I’m talking about the occasional case of a young woman who somehow ignores a pregnancy until a baby suddenly arrives. This often ends in tragedy when the girl panics and abandons the child. What influences could lead to this behavior?
1) On a small scale – what sort of family dynamics might she have, what sort of personality, etc. What might pre-dispose a young woman to ignoring a pregnancy?
2) On a larger scale, is our society somehow leading to this problem? Is there such shame involved with teen pregnancy? Is it a lack of resources for mothers? Is it an emphasis on career over motherhood? Or, could it be an emphasis on avoiding abortion? Any and all ideas are welcome.
A pregnancy is often not seen as a blessing, even for women with adequate resources. Even a surprise pregnancy in a 25 year old with a job is greeted with “oh no!” by friends and family. That’s what I mean by “an emphasis on career over motherhood”.
