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Trying to Conceive at 37: What are the Chances of My Baby Having Down Syndrome?

Dr Nandita

Dr Nandita Palshetkar  |71 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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What are the chances of your baby having Down syndrome if you conceive after 35? My husband is 39 and I am 37. We are planning to have a baby but I am also worried about these complications. Please help.

Ans: Considering your age 37 and husband 39 and planning to have a baby
The chance of having a child with Down syndrome increases with the mother's age:
Age 25: The chance is about 1 in 1,200
Age 35: The chance is about 1 in 400
Age 40: The chance is about 1 in 100
Age 45: The chance is about 1 in 30
If you're over 35 and thinking about getting pregnant, you can:
Get genetic counseling to learn more about your risk
Get regular checkups
Eat a variety of healthy foods
Get regular exercise and plenty of rest
Avoid smoking, vaping, drinking alcohol, and using cannabis or other drugs
To start folic acid (vit B6 and B 12) and DHA 3 months prior to conception.
Learn about prenatal testing for chromosomal conditions like your gynae will perform serial ultrasound at different trimesters like NT SCAN, anomaly scan, fetal 2 D echo and blood markers like dual marker and NIPT to rule out any form of congenital anomalies.
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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Dr Nandita Palshetkar  |71 Answers  |Ask -

Gynaecologist, IVF expert - Answered on Nov 04, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Oct 10, 2024Hindi
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I am 41 and my husband is 45. After 3 miscarriages, we are having our first baby after 10 years of marriage. I am scared and anxious because of my age. Will there be any complications to the baby? My gynaec has advised some genetic tests but I am worried about the results. How can we ensure to have a safe delivery for a healthy baby?
Ans: Since you are 41 years old, had three previous miscarriages, and were conceiving after ten years, there were certain measures that needed to be taken.
1) To have a BOH profile completed in order to gain insight into specific blood characteristics that aid in determining whether aspirin or low molecular weight heparin (blood thinner) is necessary.
2) Taking age into account, keeping an eye on blood pressure, blood sugar, and weight growth during pregnancy
3) To use an early screening scan for routine screening to find any type of congenital abnormality, use an anomaly scan or NT scan with dual markers.
4) To use nipt for accurate trisomy 21, 13, and 18 diagnoses
5) To do routine prenatal screenings with routine blood work and scans
6. To keep up wholesome eating practices. Protein supplements or a high-protein diet in the form of powder or biscuits.
7) To practice meditation yoga. Breathing techniques to preserve mental health
8) To adhere to your obstetricians' advice on the choice between vaginal birth and elective LSCs
9) To take multivitamins together with iron and calcium supplements.
10) To finish the influvac and tetanua vaccination program with booster shots

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Asked by Anonymous - May 07, 2025
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Sir, I wqnted your advise, regarding an investment. My building is going for re-development, there is a additional flat sale for about 1cr, which will be ready in about 3 years. Please can you advise is it worth to invest 1cr in additional flat, i have savings of about 1cr, or should i keep the 1cr as Fixed Deposit. I do not have knowledge about investment in mutual funds or SIP. Thanks to advise.
Ans: It's commendable that you're considering the best investment route for your Rs. 1 crore savings. Let's evaluate the options you've mentioned and explore a comprehensive approach to wealth creation.

Understanding Your Investment Options
1. Investing in the Additional Flat

Illiquidity Concerns: Real estate investments are typically illiquid. Selling a property can take time and may not fetch the expected price.

Maintenance and Other Costs: Owning an additional flat comes with recurring expenses like maintenance charges, property taxes, and potential renovation costs.

Market Volatility: Property prices can fluctuate based on various factors, including economic conditions and government policies.

Rental Income Uncertainty: If you're considering renting out the flat, rental yields in many Indian cities are relatively low compared to the property's value.

2. Keeping the Amount in Fixed Deposits (FDs)

Low Returns: FDs offer fixed returns, but these may not outpace inflation, leading to a decrease in real purchasing power over time.

Tax Implications: Interest earned from FDs is taxable as per your income slab, which can further reduce the net returns.

Lack of Flexibility: Premature withdrawal from FDs can attract penalties, limiting liquidity.

Exploring Mutual Funds as an Alternative
Given that you're new to mutual funds and SIPs, it's essential to understand their potential benefits:

Professional Management: Mutual funds are managed by experienced fund managers who make investment decisions based on thorough research.

Diversification: By investing in a mutual fund, your money is spread across various assets, reducing risk.

Liquidity: Most mutual funds offer high liquidity, allowing you to redeem your investment when needed.

Potential for Higher Returns: Historically, mutual funds, especially equity-oriented ones, have offered higher returns over the long term compared to traditional instruments like FDs.

Tax Efficiency: Mutual funds can be more tax-efficient, especially with the benefits available under certain sections of the Income Tax Act.

Recommended Approach
Considering your current situation and the pros and cons of each investment option:

Avoid Investing in the Additional Flat: Given the illiquidity, associated costs, and potential market volatility, investing in another property may not be the most efficient use of your funds.

Limit Exposure to FDs: While FDs offer safety, the returns may not be sufficient to meet long-term financial goals, especially after accounting for inflation and taxes.

Consider Mutual Funds for Wealth Creation:

Start with a Lump Sum Investment: Allocate a portion of your Rs. 1 crore savings into mutual funds, focusing on a mix of equity and debt funds based on your risk appetite.

Initiate SIPs: Set up Systematic Investment Plans to invest a fixed amount regularly, benefiting from rupee cost averaging and disciplined investing.

Consult a Certified Financial Planner: Given your unfamiliarity with mutual funds, seeking guidance from a certified professional can help tailor an investment strategy aligned with your financial goals.

Final Insights
Your initiative to seek advice before making a significant investment decision is commendable. By steering clear of additional real estate investments and limiting exposure to low-yield instruments like FDs, you can explore avenues like mutual funds that offer the potential for higher returns and greater flexibility. Engaging with a certified financial planner can further ensure that your investment strategy is well-aligned with your long-term financial objectives.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

...Read more

DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Investment in securities market are subject to market risks. Read all the related document carefully before investing. The securities quoted are for illustration only and are not recommendatory. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information and as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision. RediffGURUS is an intermediary as per India's Information Technology Act.

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