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41 & Single: Can I Still Have a Healthy Baby?

Dr Nandita

Dr Nandita Palshetkar  |59 Answers  |Ask -

Gynaecologist, IVF expert - Answered on Dec 02, 2024

Dr Nandita Palshetkar is the medical director of Bloom IVF.
She is a pioneer in ICSI, laser hatching, spindle view, oocyte and embryo freezing, IMSI, in vivo vaginal culture, metabolomics, embryoscope and spindle check technologies.
With over 30 years of experience, Dr Nandita is managing 10 centres across India.
She has written over 100 papers, edited 25 books and given over 1,000 lectures and speeches.
She has also won several prestigious awards, including the Dronacharya Award (2021), the Bharat Gaurav Award at the House of Commons in London (2014) and the Inspiring Gynaecologists of India (2018) to name a few.
Dr Nandita completed her MBBS from Grant Medical College and Sir J J Hospital, Mumbai, and her MD in obstetrics and gynaecology from Mumbai University."... more
Asked by Anonymous - Nov 28, 2024Hindi
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Is there an age limit to have a healthy baby? I am 41 and I want to be a single mother. Can I have a healthy baby at 42 or is it too late? My menstrual cycle is perfectly normal. My boyfriend doesn't want to get married but he is willing to co-parent my child. Please suggest the right way to go forward

Ans: While stories about women giving birth in their 50s, 60s, and even 70s make for good headlines, these pregnancies are usually accomplished with donor eggs and in vitro fertilization (IVF). There is no set oldest age when you can get pregnant naturally, but fertility starts to decline as you age.
Due to advances in technology surrounding fertility, pregnancy, and delivery, it's possible to safely have a baby at age 40. However, any pregnancy after age 40 is considered high risk.
Pregnant people over age 35 are more at risk for complications like miscarriage, congenital disorders and high blood pressure.
Firstly, we like to investigate an completely
Baseline blood test
Hormonal test
Amh level (to know fertility potential)
Usg pelvis to rule out any fibroids, cysts
Xray ecg
Then can plan pregnancy
We can screen for babies well-being during pregnancy by serial ultrasound and blood markers and nipt to rule out any abnormalities.
DISCLAIMER: The answer provided by rediffGURUS is for informational and general awareness purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical diagnosis or treatment.
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Hi Dr I had my first child at 31. My son is 6 years old now. I would like to try for a second child. Do you think it would be okay? How can I check and ensure I have a healthy pregnancy? Will my age be a factor in the health of the second child?
Ans: 31 seems to be an appropriate age for sure to plan the next baby. Since you are beyond 30 years of age, it would be worth while doing a basic health checkup around your hormones and basic sugar levels, vitamin D B12 and hemoglobin levels before planning the pregnancy starting folic acid supplementation. Would be appropriate. Stopping any kind of recreational drugs, smoking or alcohol and bit of lifestyle optimization like increasing proteins, fresh fruits, green vegetables, nuts, seeds and berries and the diet and starting some form of exercise would be useful. To ensure a smooth pregnancy.
Anti-mullerian hormone or AMH levels prior to planning a pregnancy will be helpful in discerning the fertility, the probability of getting pregnant and also. Appropriate or good image levels usually ensure a healthy pregnancy during pregnancy screening of the baby with a Nuchal translucency and nasal bone or level one scan bit around 12 weeks, a double marker subsequent to the scan if need be. A NIPT screening and a level 2 ultrasound usually, or level 2 ultrasound or an anomaly scan usually ensure that the fetus is more or less normal. If any other advanced investigation is needed, that too can be done during pregnancy. To ensure the the health of the baby.

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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7948 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Feb 12, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Feb 12, 2025Hindi
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I am 44 now. How much SIP should I do every month to have a sum of 3 crore at the age of 60?
Ans: To build a corpus of Rs. 3 crore by age 60, you need a well-structured investment plan. Below is a detailed breakdown to help you achieve your goal.

Understanding Your Investment Horizon
You are 44 years old now.
You have 16 years to invest.
A longer investment horizon helps in wealth creation through compounding.
Key Factors That Influence Your Goal
1. Expected Return on Investment
Investing in actively managed mutual funds can help grow wealth over time.
Historical data suggests equity funds deliver 12-15% CAGR over the long term.
Choosing the right funds is important for achieving consistent returns.
2. Monthly SIP Requirement
The amount you need to invest depends on the expected return.
Higher returns require a higher equity allocation in the early years.
Gradually shifting to safer funds helps protect your corpus closer to retirement.
How Much Should You Invest?

To accumulate Rs. 3 crore, your monthly SIP should be:
If returns are around 12% CAGR → Invest Rs. 52,000 per month
If returns are around 14% CAGR → Invest Rs. 42,500 per month

Best Investment Approach for You
1. Choose Actively Managed Mutual Funds
Avoid index funds as they only mirror market returns.
Actively managed funds outperform markets over the long term.
A Certified Financial Planner (CFP) helps in selecting the best-performing funds.
2. Diversification for Stability
Invest across large-cap, flexi-cap, and mid-cap funds.
Large-cap funds provide stability, while mid-cap and flexi-cap funds give growth.
This mix balances risk and returns effectively.
3. Adjust Your SIP Over Time
Start with an amount you are comfortable with.
Increase SIP by 10% every year for better wealth accumulation.
A gradual increase helps fight inflation and boost returns.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Ignoring Fund Performance
Do not invest blindly without checking fund history.
Funds with a proven track record should be preferred.
A CFP can help in selecting funds with consistent returns.
2. Investing in Direct Mutual Funds Without Guidance
Direct funds seem attractive due to lower expense ratios.
However, they lack advisory support from a Certified Financial Planner (CFP).
Regular funds ensure expert monitoring and better long-term returns.
3. Redeeming Investments Too Soon
Stay invested for the full 16-year period.
Early withdrawals disrupt compounding and reduce growth.
Invest only the money you won’t need in the short term.
Tax Considerations for Mutual Funds
Equity mutual funds – LTCG (above Rs. 1.25 lakh) taxed at 12.5%.
Short-term capital gains (STCG) – Taxed at 20%.
Debt mutual funds – Gains taxed as per income tax slab.
Plan redemptions strategically to minimize tax liability.
What to Do as You Approach Retirement?
At age 55, start shifting funds from equity to hybrid and debt funds.
This reduces volatility and protects the accumulated corpus.
Keep some part in equity even after retirement for continued growth.
Final Insights
You need to invest Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 45,000 per month to reach Rs. 3 crore.
Stick to actively managed equity funds with a mix of large-cap, flexi-cap, and mid-cap funds.
Increase SIP annually and stay invested for 16 years.
A Certified Financial Planner (CFP) helps in fund selection and risk management.
By following this plan, you can achieve financial security and a stress-free retirement.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP
Chief Financial Planner
www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

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Dr Nandita

Dr Nandita Palshetkar  |59 Answers  |Ask -

Gynaecologist, IVF expert - Answered on Feb 12, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Feb 04, 2025Hindi
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How accurate are routine gynecological check-ups in detecting cancer? Do you think women can opt for specialised screenings for certain types of cancers? Please advice.
Ans: A gynecological examination, while a part of routine cancer screening, is not highly accurate on its own for detecting most cancers, particularly in early stages; a pelvic exam is particularly poor at detecting ovarian cancer, and a Pap smear is primarily used for cervical cancer screening, meaning further tests like biopsies are usually needed for definitive diagnosis of most gynecological cancers.
Certain screening test are available to rule out cancers:
For women, the most common screening tests to rule out cancer include mammograms for breast cancer, Pap smears (along with HPV tests) for cervical cancer, and regular pelvic exams.
Mammograms:
An X-ray of the breast that can detect cancerous lumps early when they are easier to treat.
Pap smear:
A test that examines cells collected from the cervix to identify abnormal cell changes that could develop into cervical cancer. Me
HPV test:
Detects the human papillomavirus (HPV) which is a major risk factor for cervical cancer.
Co-Test: HPV WITH DNA
Endometrial cancer
Endometrial cancer often presents early with vaginal bleeding after menopause. Routine transvaginal ultrasound can be done.
IF NEEDED endometrial biopsy done and sent for testing for grading the endometrial cancer.
Ovarian cancer
A CA-125 blood test can indicate high levels of a biomarker that may be a sign of ovarian cancer along with other tumor markers CEA, LDH, AFP, ca19.9 Roma index
If needed MRI can be done to detect the extent of spread.
Self-breast examination
Once a month post menses can help patient to detect sny lump in breast or axilla or any nipple changes.
These screening methods help in early diagnoses n treatment of cancers in early stage.

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Dr Nandita

Dr Nandita Palshetkar  |59 Answers  |Ask -

Gynaecologist, IVF expert - Answered on Feb 12, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Feb 04, 2025Hindi
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