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It’s normal to feel like you’re in a fog during pregnancy. Between doctor appointments, a new diet and changes to your body, not to mention the endless amount of information you’re trying to absorb, there’s a lot on your mind. So when you leave your keys in the fridge or can’t find your phone for the fifth time that day, it’s understandable. Old wives’ tales chalk up this state of forgetfulness to “pregnancy brain”—but is pregnancy brain real? Here, we take a hard look at the science to get some answers.

What Is Pregnancy Brain?

Pregnancy brain is a term that’s used colloquially—it’s not an official diagnosis you’ll hear your doctor toss out. But lots of moms-to-be report having certain symptoms they attribute to pregnancy brain. “Pregnancy brain refers to commonly experienced cognitive changes by women during pregnancy and postpartum,” says Marina Maslovaric, MD, an ob-gyn at HM Medical.“The symptoms most frequently reported are forgetfulness and memory disturbances, poor concentration, increased absentmindedness and difficulty reading.” Think: constantly misplacing your car keys, missing pre-scheduled appointments or even walking into a room to get something, but forgetting what you needed when you get there. “Almost daily, a patient will say, ‘wait, I had a question I wanted to ask you but now I can’t remember’ or ‘I have some questions for you, and I wrote them down since I can’t remember things these days,’” Maslovaric says.

When Does Pregnancy Brain Start?

It varies from woman to woman. Symptoms can set in as early as the first trimester, since that’s when your hormone changes are typically the most dramatic, and mood swings and exhaustion make moms-to-be all the more susceptible to pregnancy brain. But it can also crop up late into pregnancy. Discomfort, cramps and lack of sleep peak in the third trimester and have a way of distracting you from day-to-day tasks.

Is Pregnancy Brain Real?

Anecdotally, plenty of pregnant women will tell you they’ve had trouble concentrating and remembering things—but medically speaking, is pregnancy brain real? That’s the loaded question, and the answer isn’t exactly crystal clear. When moms-to-be ask their OB whether pregnancy brain is a real thing, most experts don’t deny pregnancy is to blame for their temporary state of “momnesia,” but they’re pretty split on whether there are actual changes happening to the brain during pregnancy and what those changes may mean. It’s thanks largely in part to a 2016 study that changed the way some scientists look at pregnancy brain.

Researchers at Autonomous University of Barcelona took brain MRI scans of pregnant women, and the results suggest expectant women undergo brain remodeling that lasts for at least two years after they give birth. Experts analyzed scans from first-time moms before and after pregnancy, and noticed grey matter changes in brain regions associated with social cognition, which has to do with how we perceive, remember, think about and deal with other people in our social circle. Meaning, this change in grey matter may affect how someone carries out social tasks, such as understanding another person’s mood or intentions based off of their face and body language. The hippocampus, which is an area in the brain associated with memory, also appeared to lose volume.

While the changes in brain matter are clear, how to interpret them is a bit more ambiguous. “Loss of volume does not necessarily translate to loss of function,” says Elseline Hoekzema, co-lead author of the 2016 study and a brain scientist Leiden University in the Netherlands. “Sometimes less is more.” Hoekzema says loss of gray matter could “represent a fine-tuning of synapses into more efficient neural networks.”

Maslovaric points out another unanswered question. “There are two possibilities, and this study didn’t examine what exactly happened,” Maslovaric says. “Was there an increase in myelin, which is white in color, or was there an actual decrease in gray matter itself?” Myelin is a mixture of proteins and phospholipids that forms a whitish sheath around many nerve fibers, increasing the speed at which impulses are conducted. Since it’s white, it may be tricky to interpret on a scan.

Even though about 80 percent of new mothers report difficulties remembering things that once came naturally, a harder time focusing, being constantly confused and other symptoms of pregnancy brain, it’s difficult to say whether that’s the result of physical changes in the brain or other factors at play. Hormonal changes, lack of sleep and distractions from spending a lot of time thinking (and stressing) about baby are a couple of likely causes. You could also be mentally overwhelmed with the anticipation of pregnancy, and focusing more on what’s to come instead of what’s happening in the moment. Not to mention, your sleep schedule leaves a lot to be desired.

Save your sanity by writing things down and making lists, along with snacking regularly and getting lots of rest. Also, be sure to take your prenatal vitamins—they contain nutrients that help boost mental sharpness. Pregnancy brain may be annoying, but the good news is, it isn’t permanent.

From mommy blogs to nutrition experts, it seems as if everyone has an opinion on what’s safe and best to eat and drink during pregnancy. According to the National Library of Medicine, most women need at least 300 calories more daily during the last six months of pregnancy than they did before they were pregnant.

Being confident in your food choices during pregnancy can be a little bit complicated. To help sort through the confusion, we talked with Dr. Candace Howe, a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist at HM Medical in Newport Beach.

Q: What does the ideal pregnancy diet look like?

A: Per day, protein should be at 75 to 100 grams with 1-2 cups of legumes, 1-2 cups of whole grains, 2-3 cups of vegetables and 1-2 cups of fruits.

Q: What are the biggest misconceptions about diet and pregnancy?

A: A big misconception from the media is that pregnant women’s [unhealthy] cravings should be indulged – for example, ice cream, desserts and sweets. There is now substantial scientific research to show that the food we eat on a daily basis affects how our bodies work. It also determines basic nutritional health for our children and provides a model for their eating habits during childhood and beyond. Pregnancy is one time when eating habits directly affect another person.

Research shows that metabolic programming happens in utero, so a mother’s healthy nutritional status is extremely important. Focusing on incorporating vegetables, whole grains and legumes, lean protein and other wise food choices will give your baby a strong start in life.

Q: What are the current trends when it comes to food and pregnancy?

A: Many people today are implementing lower carbohydrates in their everyday diet, but it is important to understand that with pregnancy you do not want to go too low. A pregnant woman does require at least 75 milligrams of carbohydrates per day, ideally up to 150 milligrams.

Lower carbohydrate diets create ketone bodies which cross into the placenta and can affect development of the baby. On the other hand, excess carbohydrate intake can also affect development of the fetus. Typically it creates larger babies, and this can then lead to other issues in regard to delivery and care of baby after delivery.

Q: How does caffeine affect pregnancy?

A: Caffeine should be limited. In the first trimester, excess caffeine intake over 500 milligrams per day has been linked with increased miscarriage risk. Therefore this is important for women to know, even prior to getting pregnant. In pregnancy we recommend limiting caffeine to 200 milligrams per day.

Q: What are some common diet questions?

A: Most common questions revolve around weight gain and calorie intake. Many women are careful and want to intake enough calories to provide healthy nutrition for their baby, but also worry about excess calorie intake and want to avoid excess weight gain in pregnancy.

Women are well aware that some foods can cause harm to a developing baby, so those are also very common questions we get as OB-GYNs. All food has to be washed, properly stored and properly prepared. All meats and fish have to be thoroughly cooked to avoid exposure to toxoplasmosis/salmonella and other harmful bacteria.

Q: What are some examples of “bad” and “good” foods to eat?

A: Fried foods and desserts are in the category of “bad” foods. Clean eating with balanced proteins, grains and healthy fats are “good” foods. There are some items that are high in fat but considered healthy and good. For example, avocados, nuts, olive oil and ghee are all high-fat foods that are healthy to consume during pregnancy.

Q: Should women take supplements during pregnancy?

A: Yes, it is recommended to take a prenatal vitamin supplement, which balances adequate amounts of folic acid, iodine, vitamin D and iron to ensure adequate intake. In the third trimester, some women may need to add extra iron or B12 vitamin based on their blood tests, and some women need to add a calcium supplement depending on their intake of calcium-rich foods.

Q: What should pregnant women keep in mind while planning meals?

A: Most important would be to start a healthy diet and exercise plan outside of pregnancy. This way the modifications needed to maintain a healthy diet and exercise regimen will be easy and effortless while you are pregnant

When you’re sick, you’re probably not thinking about your vagina. But a surprisingly varied assortment of health issues can show up in there, from stress to dehydration to the common cold, the flu, or a fever. But how your vagina is affected depends on your body, what you’ve come down with, and what meds you’re taking to treat it.

Any sickness that dehydrates you will also dehydrate your vagina, explains Peter Rizk, M.D., ob-gyn and fertility expert for Fairhaven Health. That means you may not get as wet as usual during sex (if you feel up to having it), so lube could be extra important. It also means you could see less of the vaginal discharge that normally shows up on your underwear throughout the day. As usual, make sure to hydrate—especially if you want to keep things slick down there.

On the flip side, part of the immune system’s response to any viral infection, such as a flu or cold, is to make the blood vessels more permeable, leading to an increase in all secretions containing white blood cells. And that doesn’t just mean blood: Your vaginal discharge actually contains a bunch of white blood cells, which help keep the vagina’s bacteria and yeast levels balanced, says ob-gyn Candace Howe, M.D.

But if you take medicine, it could cancel out that effect. Decongestants, antihistamines such as Benadryl, and mucus-reducing meds like guaifenesin can dry up all your mucus membranes, including your vagina, says Howe.

Antibiotics also have their own effect on your lady bits: In the process of killing the bacteria that’s causing your infection, they can also kill healthy vaginal bacteria, which can increase your risk for bacterial infections like yeast infections and vaginitis, according to ob-gyn Yvonne Bohn, M.D.. Bohn recommends taking probiotics to keep vaginal infections at bay, especially if you’re on antibiotics, and avoiding antibiotics as much as possible for this reason.

The good news is that any changes that happen to your vagina while you’re sick will likely pass along with the illness. If they don’t, then there may be a separate issue that you should talk to your doctor about.

I’ve never understood those “home is where the bra isn’t” memes.

Don’t get me wrong: I can identify with the idea of walking through the door and immediately stripping off work clothes in favor of something cozier. (Although, to be fair, my office outfits often involve leggings.) But when the sweatpants come on, my bra generally stays put.

Or better yet, I’ll say ta-ta to underwire lingerie in favor of what I’ve dubbed my “bedtime bra”—a gently used, seamless sports bra that I may or may not have had since college.

When the sweatpants come on, my bra generally stays put.

The simple reason? It’s much more comfortable for me to wear a bra to bed.

I know, shocking. As a sister to three women who’ve never quite wrapped their heads around this quirk, I fully understand that I’m in the minority. Maybe it’s because I’m a little more endowed than your average gal, but I have a hard time sleeping without one.

But I’ve also heard a few rumors that’ve kept me up at night—namely, that rocking a bra 24/7 may increase breast cancer risk or cause sagging. To make sure I’m not sacrificing health over comfort, I consulted Marina Maslovaric, MD and fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, to find out whether my after-dark preferences could be setting me up for future health issues. Would she, er, support my bedtime bra habit?

Here’s what a doctor told me about just how healthy it is to sleep in a bra.

The truth about wearing a bra to bed

Although vanity is at stake, my first question for Dr. Maslovaric was about health—and, thankfully, she says the girls and I have nothing to worry about. “Although some information came out over the past five years that wearing a bra can be linked with increased cancer risk, there is zero scientific evidence that this is true,” she tells me. (Phew!) In reference to the controversial studies, Dr. Maslovaric says that the control groups are simply too small to judge across an entire gender—plus, the women had other factors playing into the findings (from smaller breast size to age).

As she explains it, bras were created to help women’s chests feel more supported—no matter the activity—and to decrease any discomfort or back pain. That said, Dr. Maslovaric does note that if a bra is uncomfortable or causes pain throughout the day, it most likely means that it’s the wrong size and you should definitely not sleep in it. (Considering up to 80 percent of women are wearing the incorrect cup or band size, it might be time to get fitted.)

Dr. Maslovaric was also quick to bust the myth that bras cause your breasts to droop. According to research, she says, most sagging is an effect of pregnancy, breastfeeding, and gravity—not your underpinnings. And while we’re on the topic, she mentions the fact that no study (or bra manufacturer, for that matter) has ever claimed a bra can make breasts “more perky,” so no luck there either.

The bottom line: If wearing a bra to bed helps you rest easier, feel free to strap in without hesitation. “Often, larger-chested women feel more comfortable sleeping with a bra on—which is totally safe and fine,” Dr. Maslovaric says. “If you’re going to wear a bra, the best option is to find one with no underwire, soft fabric, and a loose fit.” Sounds like my old C9 Champion sports bra is practically doctor-approved.

When faced with the choice between sporting underwear lines against spandex or donning an uncomfortable thong for a workout, many women may choose to skip underwear altogether. It makes sense: Having to pick a wedgie or shift around a G-string at the top of every squat can seriously take away from your productivity at the gym. But for some women, the idea of wearing leggings without underwear may sound completely unthinkable.

Whether you’re questioning the comfort or hygiene, both are valid concerns. We wear underwear for reasons, right? Well, we’re here to reassure you that exercising without underwear is actually A-OK—as long as you follow a few simple ground rules.

1. Choose your material wisely.

“It’s definitely safe to do it if that’s your preference,” Marina Maslovaric, M.D., an ob-gyn at HM Medical in Orange County, California, tells SELF. “It’s more a matter of habit or preference. Healthwise, it’s definitely OK,” she says. The key is making sure your pants are made out of breathable material; cotton or something advertised as “sweat-wicking” should do the trick. Some athletic-wear brands now even put a little extra square of cotton material inside the crotch of workout leggings for this purpose.

You might find, though, that some pants made of a synthetic material (which most of those sweat-evaporating technologies contain) can cause a bit of irritation. “If you have more of a synthetic material versus cotton as that first touch, that can increase the risk of chafing,” Maslovaric says. Especially if you’re running or doing another repetitive motion, rubbing can do a number down there if the material is too scratchy.

2. Change out of your sweaty clothes ASAP.

No matter what material works for you, Maslovaric says you should always change into dry clothes after getting super sweaty. She underscores the fact that exercising doesn’t necessarily put you at a higher risk for getting vaginal infections, but for some people who are already more prone to them, sitting around in sweaty gym clothes all day can make matters worse. (It can also just get uncomfortable.)

“I’ve had patients who, if they don’t [change into clean clothes right away], might be more at risk for a yeast infection,” she notes. As long as you change into dry clothes soon after your sweat sesh, this shouldn’t a problem. Showering, too, is ideal if you have time.

3. Wash your leggings after every single wear.

Another must-do: Wash your pants after every use. Many fitness fiends will admit to wearing leggings a few times before washing. (That’s what that antiodor fabric technology is for, right?) But if you’re wearing leggings without underwear, your vagina is in direct contact with your pants, which means your workout gear will collect bacteria faster.

Maslovaric likens it to putting a dirty pair of underwear back on the next day. “You’re sweating, and you’re going to produce discharge secretions,” she explains. And if you experience a little incontinence—which is very common after childbirth—that adds another fluid to the mix. All that said, you should treat your pants like you would your undies in this situation.

If you’re following these hygiene recommendations, go ahead and let your lady parts run free. Just make sure your leggings are thick enough, because some meshy or sheer materials can be a teensy bit see-through. (Nothing like some poorly placed mesh to turn your gym session into an accidental peep show fast.)

And if you’re still set on wearing your skivvies? That’s totally fine too. You should do whatever makes you feel the most comfortable and confident, whether that means donning a thong, boy shorts, bikini-cut panties, or none of the above.

Here’s how to know if you’re experiencing run-of-the-mill perio cramps, if your pain may be signaling a problem, and how to get through your periods either way.

“Normal” cramps are fairly easy to treat, and usually last for three or four days at the start of your period.

The lining in the uterus builds up every month in anticipation of a fertilized egg that will need a comfy place to implant. When that egg doesn’t show up, the uterine lining (endometrial tissue) sheds itself, along with blood. During this time, chemicals called prostaglandins are released and trigger an inflammatory response,Jessica Shepherd, M.D., assistant professor of clinical obstetrics and gynecology and director of minimally invasive gynecology at The University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago, tells SELF. This then triggers muscle contractions, aka cramps, in the uterus.

“Pain is really subjective,” Shepherd says. “But typically when we think about [normal cramping], we think about a pain level that is able to be controlled with conservative measures such as a heating pad or taking a simple anti-inflammatory medication like Motrin.” Cramping usually happens anywhere from 24 hours before your monthly period starts to two or three days into it.

Sometimes, you’ve just been ~blessed~ with a painful “normal.”

If you’ve had bad cramps ever since you first started menstruating, that might just be your body’s normal. “If a woman has had years of cramping, she probably has more of a sensitivity to prostaglandin,” Howe says. It’s called primary dysmenorrhea, or pain with menstruation, and though it’s painful and should be discussed with your gyn, it’s not usually a problem, medically speaking, she adds. For some, the pain can also be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. (Because bleeding isn’t enough, right?)

You shouldn’t have to put your life on hold during your period every month. “If any woman is at a point where she thinks her level of pain interferes with any sort of activity she would otherwise do, she needs to see a doctor,” Candace Howe, M.D., an ob/gyn at HM Medical in Newport Beach, California, tells SELF. That’s true even if you can push through the pain, especially if taking an anti-inflammatory medication doesn’t make it better. If you ever experience cramping regularly outside of your period, that’s also not normal.

And if your period is way worse than it used to be, that tends to mean that something else is going on.

Secondary dysmenorrhea, or pain that is “newer onset, worsening, or changing over time,” can be a sign of an underlying condition, says Howe. Often, it’s paired withheavy bleeding, but not always. While your period can sometimes get more hellish as you get older, a rapid or significant shift in the level of pain you’re in is definitely something you want to talk to your doctor about. Here are the most common causes:

Fibroids: “Usually when we think of heavy periods and prolonged bleeding and severe cramping, we think of a fibroid,” Shepherd says. These benign tumors that grow in the walls of the uterus are common—over 70 percent of women will experience them at some point. Black women, and women with a family history of fibroids, have an even higher risk, Shepherd says.

Endometriosis: This condition happens when endometrial tissue grows where it’s not supposed to, anywhere outside of the uterus. The tissue builds up, sheds, and bleeds, just like it does in your uterus, but without the vaginal escape route period blood is supposed to have. Endometriosis can also cause blood-filled cysts on the ovaries or lead to the development of scar tissue (which can cause fertility problems), Howe notes. These things often cause pelvic pain and excruciating cramping during menstruation.

Adenomyosis: This condition, which is more common for women in their 30s and 40s, is when the lining of the uterus starts to invade into the muscle of the uterus, Howe explains. Similar to endometriosis, this tissue still sloughs every month, causing the lining to shed and bleed in the pockets of the muscle. Your uterus contracts and cramps more in response to get rid of the buildup.

Miscarriage: If you’re miscarrying and don’t know it, it can present as a really painful period. “We know that somewhere around 25 percent of women miscarry, but that number may be as high as 40 percent,” because many women don’t realize they’re having a miscarriage or that they were pregnant to begin with, says Howe. If your pain is due to a miscarriage, it would only happen one cycle, not regularly every month.

No matter the cause of your cramping, it can be managed.

Fibroids can be removed. Endometriosis and adenomyosis can be managed with things like hormonal medications, pain medication, and minimally invasive surgery. For primary dysmenorrhea, your doctor may suggest starting hormonal birth control, or can prescribe stronger pain meds to use when your cramps are worst.

When you’re self-treating, the key is to do it before it gets too painful. “Don’t wait until bleeding starts and it ramps up” to take an anti-inflammatory medication, Shepherd says. “You want to pre-medicate so you can decrease inflammation and pain.” Try taking your go-to over-the-counter pain meds before the prostaglandins get your uterus kicking.

Shepherd also suggests heat to calm down cramping, like a heating pad or hot water bottle. Other doctors, like Jacques Moritz, M.D., an ob/gyn at New York Presbyterian and Weill Cornell Medicine, suggest taking calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D supplements. “There’s a lot of research about that and PMS symptoms,” he tells SELF. Talk with your doctor before supplementing to make sure it’s OK for you and won’t interfere with any other medications you take.

And while moving is the last thing you may want to do, exercise is one of the best pain relief options you’ve got. “That endorphin release and increased oxygenation to the uterus will help with relieving the pain,” says Shepherd. Again, proactively doing this before the pain hits works best. Yoga, which stretches and strengthens the pelvis, can work wonders, too.

A lot of women think they are supposed to be in a lot of pain during their periods and never speak up. “Women can suffer to the point they don’t go to work or school or miss out on social opportunities,” Howe says. Even if it’s not due to an underlying condition, simply having horrible pain can be addressed, he stresses. A monthly period is never going to be enjoyable, but it can and should be totally bearable.

Originally posted on Self

]]> https://hmmedicalobgyn.com/how-to-know-if-your-period-cramps-are-normal/feed/ 0 https://hmmedicalobgyn.com/dr-howe-answers-janet-jackson-y-otras-madres-maduras-desafian-los-limites/ https://hmmedicalobgyn.com/dr-howe-answers-janet-jackson-y-otras-madres-maduras-desafian-los-limites/#comments Mon, 24 Oct 2016 19:42:08 +0000 http://hmmedicalobgyn.com/?p=2485 Continued]]> Originally posted on HolaDoctor

Las mujeres están aplazando la decisión de ser madres, empujándola hasta superar el umbral de los 30 años, mientras que en los años ‘70, la edad promedio era de 21 años.

La tendencia es firme. Durante las últimas dos décadas aumentaron las cifras de embarazo entre las mujeres mayores de toda raza y origen. Entre 2000 y 2012, las tasas de primer parto entre las de 35 a 39 años, aumentaron un 24%, y para las mujeres de 40 a 44 años, un 35%, según los datos de los Centros para el Control y Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC).

Los expertos advierten que después de los 35 años, el embarazo implica riesgos de salud para la madre y el niño. Y aconsejan vigilar más de cerca estos embarazos.

Sin embargo, el deseo puede ser fuerte y las advertencias, insuficientes. Janet Jackson, la estrella de 50 años, sorprendió al mundo en mayo de este año al dar la noticia de que estaba esperando su primer hijo.

Laura Linney fue otra de las estrellas que en 2014 se unió al clan de madres maduras al dar a luz a los 49 años, Geena Davis lo fue a los 46, Susan Sarandon a los 43 años, y la lista no termina aquí.

“La naturaleza es sabia y es la que establece los límites, no los ginecólogos”, quien lo dice es Lina Alvarez, la española que el 11 de octubre pasado se convirtió en madre a los 62 años y generó un intenso debate social.

No fue fácil para Lina encontrar un médico que realizara unaFecundación In Vitro (FIV) en su vientre sexagenario. Aunque en España no existe ninguna ley que fije la edad máxima para practicar una FIV, el código de autorregulación de los especialistas establece ese límite en los 50 años.

A Lina la llamaron la madre-abuela y le llovieron las críticas desde todo el mundo, donde se suscitó una gran polémica. Pero ella está feliz y asegura: “la esperanza de vida para las mujeres es cada vez mayor. Cuando mi hija tenga 30 años yo tendré 90. Seré una abuelita. ¿Y qué? Ella ya estará criada” declaró.

¿Hay una edad biológica límite para recibir una FIV y convertirse en madre?

“Técnicamente, mientras se tenga un útero en buen funcionamiento y saludable, no hay un tope de edad. Con el paso del tiempo, la menopausia disminuye el tamaño y funcionabilidad del útero, así que los limites más altos de capacidad para un embarazo serían al final de los 40 a 50 años” explicó a HolaDoctor la Ginecóloga y Obstetra Candace Howe, de HM Medical y graduada en la Universidad de California en Los Ángeles.

La maternidad tardía conlleva un riesgo alto de salud para la mujer y el bebé. “La verdadera complejidad y riesgo deriva de los cambios fisiológicos de la madre, que causan estrés en el cuerpo durante el embarazo, y que se suman a los factores de envejecimiento”, afirma la Dra. Howe.

“La obesidad, la alta presión sanguínea, la diabetes, los problemas de la tiroides y enfermedades del corazón, usualmente surgen a medida que nos acercamos a los 40 años y se afirman al pasar los 50. Éstas, junto a otras condiciones físicas del sistema cardiovascular y musculoesquelético, perjudican la capacidad del organismo para llevar un embarazo a término completo, de manera sana y segura” agregó.

No es raro que los bebés producto de embarazos de FIV en mujeres de 40 años o más, nazcan prematuros o requieran hospitalización debido a las complicaciones.

Además, “los bebés de madres maduras pueden padecer problemas respiratorios, condiciones del corazón o problemas de aprendizaje en el futuro. En las embarazadas aumenta el riesgo de muerte fetal, de parto prematuro, hemorragia post-parto y otras complicaciones adicionales -como insuficiencia cardíaca, hepática o renal-. Éstas pueden no ocurrir, pero existe un riesgo más alto después de los 50 años” asegura Howe.

Pero no todas las mujeres maduras son iguales, según la especialista: “Si tenemos una mujer mayor con una salud excepcional, que ha sido atlética por varios años, y tiene un buen historial de salud familiar y una salud genética excelente, su resultado va a ser más favorable a medida que envejece, en comparación con una mujer sin estas características”.

¿Hasta cuándo esperar?

El límite legal es otro interrogante. Al abordar el tema, la experta sostiene que no hay restricciones legales en EE.UU. en ese sentido. “Solo existen consideraciones éticas y médicas, no leyes específicas. Hay directrices de la Sociedad Americana de Medicina Reproductiva que sugieren que una mujer es apta para una FIV hasta cumplir los 50 años y que se pueden utilizar los óvulos propios hasta los 45 años”.

Ir en contra de los límites naturales pone en grave peligro a la madre y al bebé. Como resultado, ambos podrían sufrir daños físicos a largo plazo; o aún peor, perder la vida, sostiene la especialista.

Entonces, que opción tiene una mujer cuyo deseo de tener un hijo es tan intenso que se antepone a otros, y que ya ha superado la etapa de concebir en forma natural. “Yo recomendaría otras alternativas, asevera Howe, como pensar en una madre sustituta o recurrir a la adopción”.

Al preguntarle cuál es su opinión profesional sobre Lina, la madre sexagenaria española, la Dra. Howe señaló que “Hay excepciones, y es posible realizar una FIV a los 62 años. Sin embargo, probablemente resultaría en muchos abortos involuntarios debido a la incapacidad del útero de producir un flujo sanguíneo adecuado para sostener a un feto más allá del primer trimestre”.

Pero la sociedad cuestiona también el costado ético. Una madre muy madura podría vivir menos para cuidar a su hijo. En ese sentido, Howe reflexiona: “la mujer (madura) debe considerar lo que significa traer un niño a este mundo a una edad avanzada, un niño que podría perder a su madre dentro de los primeros 10 a 20 años de su vida. Ésta es una edad demasiado baja como para perder a una madre y es doloroso de imaginar”.