Pregnant women  wait at the CSV Maternity and Lying-in Clinic in Quezon City, October 02, 2018. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File

Pregnant women  wait at the CSV Maternity and Lying-in Clinic in Quezon City, October 02, 2018. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Arra Perez

ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Pregnant women  wait at the CSV Maternity and Lying-in Clinic in Quezon City, October 02, 2018. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File" src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/171258365521120181002-women-maternity-childbirth-JC-9832.jpg" class="fr-fil fr-dib"/><figcaption>Pregnant women  wait at the CSV Maternity and Lying-in Clinic in Quezon City, October 02, 2018. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA — The ideal age for a woman to get pregnant differs on a case to case basis.</p><p>But, speaking to ABS-CBN News, an obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYNE) explained that women are considered high risk once they reach the age of 35, while those aged 18 and below have yet to reach full development.</p><p>&quot;We identify women already being high risk once they reach the age of 35. But it&#x27;s case to case: it&#x27;s to individualize [a woman]. Some women, meron silang risk factors to develop diseases even before the age of 35. So I think dapat ma-consider na magamit na iyong kanilang kapasidad na makapag-anak nang sa gayon hindi na makaabala iyong kanilang mga medical complications or co-morbidities na tinatawag,&quot; said Dr. Erwin De Mesa, who is also an infectious disease specialist.</p><p>(We identify women already being high risk once they reach the age of 35. But it&#x27;s case to case; it&#x27;s to individualize [a woman]. Some women have the risk factors to develop diseases even before the age of 35. So I think using their capacity to have children should be considered so that it won&#x27;t preoccupy with their medical complications or comorbidities, as they say.) </p><p>&quot;Sa report[s], marami ng adolescent pregnancy. Pinaniniwalaan, based on evidence, that iyong edad na ito ay hindi pa rightful para magkaroon ng pregnancy dahil hindi pa nila narea-reach iyong tamang development at this time... Later on, early 20s, that could be safe as long as - as I&#x27;ve said - hindi lamang naman iyong health at edad ang binabase natin. Iyong preparedness hindi lamang ng babae, kundi ng kanyang magiging kapareha to be able to enter iyong stage ng responsibility: ito iyong magtaguyod ng pamilya at makapagpalaki ng mga anak,&quot; he added.</p><p>(In report[s], there are a lot of adolescent pregnancies. It is believed, based on evidence, that this age is not yet rightful to have a pregnancy because they have not reached the proper development at this time... Later on, the early 20s could be safe as long as - as I&#x27;ve said - we are not just basing it on health and age. The preparedness is not just that of the woman, but also her would-be partner to be able to enter the stage of responsibility: this is to build a family and to raise a child.)</p><p>De Mesa said it is true that women have a so-called biological clock.</p><p>&quot;Mayroon, because, at a certain time, sila iyong tinatawag na papasok na into the age of menopause and during this time, wala nang capacity, hindi na makakatulong ang kanilang ovary to produce the egg cells na kinakailangan para sa pagbubuntis. And normally, in our setting - for Filipinas - late 40s to early 50s (menopausal age),&quot; he explained.</p><p>(There is because, at a certain time, they are who we call those who will enter the age of menopause and during this time, there is no more capacity, their ovary can no longer help in to produce the egg cells needed to get pregnant. And normally, in our setting - for Filipinas - late 40s to early 50s (menopausal age). </p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/3/13/teen-pregnancies-top-pre-pandemic-levels-popcom-1713">READ: Teen pregnancies top pre-pandemic levels-- Popcom</a></div><div><strong>REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH</strong></div><p>De Mesa is also seeing the reality of the Commission on Population and Development&#x27;s (CPD) study that more Filipinos are delaying marriage and having children because of economic uncertainties.</p><p>&quot;Siguro mas marami na ang babae ngayon na mas knowledgeable at alam nila ang tamang paghahanda - na ang pag-aasawa o pagkakaroon ng pamilya ay hindi lamang routine para sa kanila, pero ito ay dapat pinaghahandaan. And when we say we need to prepare for this, hindi lamang iyong sa edad nakukuha. Of course, financial is very important that&#x27;s why iyong resources iyong kanilang paghahanda na kinakailangan sa pagtatatag ng kanilang sariling pamilya,&quot; he said.</p><p>(Maybe more women are now more knowledgeable and they know the right preparation - that getting married or having a family is not just a routine for them, but this should be something to prepare for. And when we say we need to prepare for this, it is not just about the age. Of course, financial is very important that&#x27;s why having the resources is part of their preparation needed to build their own families.)</p><p>&quot;There should be really a communication between the husband and the wife, na kung saan sila parehong handa. Normally, it&#x27;s the financial aspect,&quot; he added.</p><p>(There should be really a communication between the husband and the wife, wherein they are both prepared. Normally, it&#x27;s the financial aspect.)</p><p>Whatever the factors, it all boils down to one&#x27;s own choice.  </p><p>&quot;Especially nowadays, at the age of 21, I think guma-graduate pa lamang sila sa college at that time, so wala pa silang stable na trabaho. These are important factors na nare-realize ngayon ng Filipino woman. Because - again - on our part, we are empowering the decision really for them to identify the best age appropriate for them,&quot; De Mesa said.</p><p>(Especially nowadays, at the age of 21, I think they are just graduating from college at that time, so they don&#x27;t have yet a stable job. These are important factors being realized now by the Filipino woman. Because - again - on our part, we are empowering the decision really for them to identify the best age appropriate for them.)</p><p>He also agrees with CPD data that the use of contraceptives has recently increased, as he urges women and/or couples to consult their doctors on the best method for them to use, which could be short- or long-term.</p><p>&quot;Dapat ang mag-asawa ay nagpa-plano gaano kabilis susundan or in a matter of how many years bago magkakaroon ng pagitan ang bawat pagbubuntis. Mayroong mga applicable na contraceptives na puwede nilang gamitin. Kung gusto nila ng four years, binibigyan natin ng, at least, iyong mga long-term contraceptives tulad ng IUD (intrauterine device) or implants,&quot; De Mesa shared.</p><p>(Married couples should plan on how soon they want to have their next child or in a matter of how many years will be the gap per pregnancy. There are applicable contraceptives that they can use. If they want four years, they are being given, at least, long-term contraceptives like IUD (intrauterine device) or implants.)</p><p>&quot;But if they want in two years, maybe we give them the short-term [contraceptives], such as the use of the pills or the injectables. These are options that we discuss to them during the pre-natal care kung sila ay nagbubuntis or kahit ayaw pa nilang magbuntis, puwede na silang magtungo sa kanilang obstetrician/gynecologist para mapag-usapan,&quot; he added. </p><p>(But if they want in two years, maybe we give them the short-term [contraceptives], such as the use of pills or injectables. These are options that we discuss to them during the pre-natal care if they are pregnant or even if they do not yet like to get pregnant, they can go to their OB-GYNE to talk about it.)</p><p>Whether to have children or not, to get married or stay single, the doctor is asking women to take care of their reproductive health.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/3/5/france-enshrines-abortion-as-constitutional-right-2315">READ: France enshrines abortion as constitutional right</a></div><p>&quot;As we all know, ang cancer ay isa sa ating mga sakit na mino-monitor. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, at merong mga recommended screening methods for that: ang pagsalat ng kanilang suso, ang pagkakaroon ng mammography at a certain age - at the age of 40, [but] if you have a predilection for that, kailangan mas maagang age pinapasuri na or sila ay nagu-undergo na ng mga screening. Remember, ang screening ay ginagawa kahit walang nararamdaman. If you reach a certain age, at the age of 35 or 40 perhaps, gagawin na ito,&quot; De Mesa said.</p><p>(As we all know, cancer is among the illnesses that we monitor. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, and there are recommended screening methods for that: self-breast exam, undergoing mammography at a certain age - at the age of 40, [but] if you have a predilection for that, they should be checked at an earlier age or they should already undergo screening. Remember, screening is done even without symptoms. If you reach a certain age, at the age of 35 or 40 perhaps, this should be done.)</p><p>&quot;Gayundin ang cervical cancer, which is the second most common cancer [among women]. Pinapalagay na lahat ng mga babae at the age of 25 - may sexual activity or not - should be going to their gynecologist, at least, para magkaroon ka rin ng Pap smear na tinatawag. Or kung readily available ang mga mas high-yield na test, katulad ng HPV-DNA testing, mas maganda mapagawa ito. Para hindi ito magiging sagabal in the future, we have to do all these screening tests,&quot; he added. </p><p>(Same goes for cervical cancer, which is the second most common cancer [among women]. It is assumed that all women at the age of 25 - with or without sexual activity - should be going to their gynecologist, at least, to undergo Pap smear. Or if more high-yield test is readily available, like HPV-DNA testing, it&#x27;s better to already go through with this. So that these won&#x27;t be roadblocks in the future, we have to do all these screening tests.)</p><p>De Mesa also encouraged men to maintain a sound reproductive health.</p><p>&quot;Meron din po mga screening test that primarily advocate for prevention or early detection of cancer, katulad ng prostate cancer. Sila ay dapat magkakaroon din ng screening katulad ng digital rectal exam or colon cancer, for that matter - at a certain age, kailangan silipin ang mga bituka para ma-identify [ang issues] nang maaga,&quot; he said.</p><p>(There are also screening tests that primarily advocate for prevention or early detection of cancer, like prostate cancer. They should also have screening like digital rectal exam or colon cancer, for that matter - at a certain age, intestines must be checked to identify issues early.)</p><p>&quot;We need to be healthy. At ang pagiging healthy po ay iyong pagsunod din sa healthy lifestyle na tinatawag - exercise sa appropriate age, iyong tamang pagkain at iyong pagbisita sa kanilang doktor. Sana mawala iyong ating madalas na gawain o paniniwala na darating lamang ang mga pasyente sa mga doktor kung kailan may nararamdaman na,&quot; he added.</p><p>(We need to be healthy. And being healthy is practicing a healthy lifestyle: exercise for the appropriate age, proper eating habits, and consulting one&#x27;s doctor. I hope we do away with our usual habit or belief that patients will only go to doctors when they are already feeling sick.)</p><div><a class="fr-strong fr-green" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/02/17/21/popcom-experts-press-for-strong-programs-vs-teenage-pregnancy-in-philippines">READ: Popcom, experts press for strong programs vs teenage pregnancy in Philippines</a></div><div><strong>FROM THE ARCHIVES:</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable" frameBorder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ozxp3PzZDiw?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" width="640"></iframe></span></strong></div>

<p>The ideal age for a woman to get pregnant differs on a case to case basis.</p>

Is there really an ideal age to get pregnant? An expert tells us

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Is there really an ideal age to get pregnant? An expert tells us

Arra Perez,

ABS-CBN News

Published Apr 08, 2024 09:48 PM PHT

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