Sidhu Moosewala’s mother pregnant at 58: Is IVF possible after 50?

Late Punjabi Singer Sidhu Moosewala’s mother is expecting another child at 58 through In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF). She is due to deliver the baby in March, as per media reports. This is their second child after the singer, whose real name WAS Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu, was shot dead by assailants in May 2022. While the pregnancy has come as a blessing to the parents who lost their first and only child in a tragic incident, it left many people wondering whether or not a woman can get pregnant after the age of 50? Is it possible to get an IVF treatment to get pregnant after 50? Are there any side effects or dangers associated with getting pregnant through IVF in the late 50s?

If you are also wondering how this assisted reproductive technology can help women conceive and give hope to elderly couples, here are all the answers to all your questions. Let’s find out everything about getting pregnant through IVF after 50.

What is IVF?

IVF is short for In-Vitro Fertilization, a medical process that helps people have babies. It combines the egg of the female and the sperm of the male outside the body in a lab dish to form an embryo. Afterwards, the embryo is placed in the uterus to grow into a baby. This process is useful for those facing fertility problems and gives hope to start or expand a family when natural conception becomes challenging.

Can a woman get pregnant naturally after 50?

Nowadays, many women plan their pregnancy beyond 40 or 50, and even later. In such cases, natural conception is not impossible, but it is very rare to get pregnant naturally after the age of 50 years. “Several variables, including a decrease in the quantity and quality of eggs, changes in hormonal levels, and an increased risk of medical problems can influence fertility, causing your fertility levels to decrease dramatically with age,” says obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Pallavi Vasal of Marengo Asia Hospital.

Since there are so many challenges with getting pregnant naturally after a certain age, people opt for treatments like IVF to conceive a baby.

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Is it safe to have an IVF treatment after 50?

Yes, it is safe for women above 50 to have an IVF treatment, as long as the process is carried out in a controlled environment. The safety of IVF at this age depends on your health, any underlying medical illnesses, and the quality of the eggs. Women may undergo IVF either with their frozen eggs or with the donor eggs if they wish to have babies.

Is it possible to get pregnant post-menopause?

A woman can get pregnant during perimenopause and after menopause with IVF. She can become pregnant, mostly not with her eggs, but with donor eggs after menopause, says obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Aruna Kalra of CK Birla Hospital.

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Are there any risks for the mother or the baby if a woman gets pregnant after 50?

If a woman conceives through IVF with her own eggs, she may develop problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes during pregnancy, pre-pregnancy induced hypertension, gestational diabetes, and gestational thyroid disease. The bones of the mother may become weak, which can eventually lead to the problem of osteoporosis as well. However, not every woman who gets pregnant with IVF experiences these problems. Every pregnancy is different and your body may react in a different way.

As for the baby, the common problems that may occur include baby growth restriction, preterm labour, and abnormalities with the baby if she conceives with her own eggs. But in the case of donor eggs, the chances of abnormality in a baby decrease but the chances of preterm labour and growth restriction may increase, says Dr Kalra. Some women may have ectopic pregnancy and/or early abortions as well. However, it can vary from one woman to another.

What are the precautions women should take?

Pregnancy after 50 can be complicated. So, women have to be extra careful around this period. There are additional considerations for both the mother and the baby. Strict vigilance, frequent visits to the doctor, and additional tests are necessary for these women. There may be an elevated risk of gestational diabetes, pregnancy-induced hypertension, miscarriage, premature birth, and severe infections. Therefore, careful monitoring and management are crucial for a healthy pregnancy and delivery, says Dr Vasal.

For fetal screening, additional blood tests such as non-invasive prenatal testing or invasive procedures may be necessary to detect any chromosomal abnormalities in the developing fetus. More frequent ultrasounds are also recommended to monitor the baby’s development and growth accurately. Meticulous and vigilant monitoring is essential in a pregnancy conceived by a woman after the age of 50, says the gynecologists.

A woman who gets pregnant during perimenopause or menopause may require a lot of hormonal injections to support the pregnancy as the ovaries of an older woman does not produce these hormones naturally. The doctor may give injections and tablets for the continuation of pregnancy. All of this can cause bloating, nausea, vomiting, high blood pressure, and high blood sugar levels.

Plus, the woman should also have a psychological counselor and somebody to support her with breastfeeding and rearing the baby because, after the age of 50, she might not be energetic enough to take care of the baby.

Things to consider if you decide to get pregnant post-50

Women trying to conceive post 50 should consider the following, as suggested by Dr Aruna Kalra:

• Receive pre-conception counselling about genetic abnormalities.
• Get vaccinated against rubella chicken pox.
• Take preventive health checkups such as liver function tests, lipid profile, blood sugar, thyroid, etc.
• Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol.
• Start exercising and keep yourself fit.
• Since you are not secreting your own hormones, baby might not develop fully. So, get regular antenatal checkups and gynecological care throughout the pregnancy.

Being extra careful during and before pregnancy, and addressing any underlying problems may help you have a successful pregnancy, even after the age of 50.