Pregnancy and childbirth is the most important event in a woman’s life. For women over 35 years, it may be accompanied by some difficulties, such as the development of diseases. One such disease is Down’s Syndrome, which involves a disorder in the order of the chromosomes. The work aims to analyze down syndrome, the impact of postpartum depression, and the risks for pregnant women over 35.
The physical and cognitive manifestations of pathology can be expressed both in a mild, slightly noticeable form and in severe deviations. Down syndrome is one of the forms of genomic pathology in which 47 chromosomes formulate the karyotype (Spilsbury, 2018). The standard representation of the karyotype in healthy people is 46 chromosomes, and the likelihood of pathology increases with the mother’s age (Spilsbury, 2018). Postpartum diagnosis includes some symptoms such as a “flat face”, abnormal enlargement of the skull, skin fold on the neck, and others (Spilsbury, 2018). It can be diagnosed before childbirth, with the help of screening in which a woman can be assigned to a group at risk of giving birth to a patient with Down syndrome.
Postpartum depression includes a range of symptoms that develop immediately after childbirth. It can be formulated by fatigue, insomnia, irritability, sadness, and increased or decreased appetite (Friedmann, 2018). Postpartum depression can affect bonding with the baby, as the mother may show symptoms toward loved ones. In addition, the time spent with the child may be reduced due to severe manifestations of symptoms, which will negatively affect the establishment of family ties in the child. Moreover, in the first two years, the most active changes in the brain are observed, and if the connection with the mother is of poor quality, then the child adapts to this.
Pregnancy is an essential period in life which may be followed by some difficulties. The risks of pregnancy for a woman over 35 include several factors (Arias, 2019). Thus, there is an increased likelihood of having a child with genetic abnormalities, such as down syndrome (Arias, 2019). In addition, there is a chance of insufficient hormone production and tissue changes. Diseases and fibroids that can affect the course of pregnancy may occur. The risk of miscarriage, premature discharge of amniotic fluid, weakness of labor, and fetal hypoxia, requiring surgical intervention, is increased as well.
To conclude, Down syndrome is a form of genomic pathology in which the number of chromosomes is disturbed. It can be expressed in both mild and severe conditions. Diagnosis includes a prenatal method, or screening, and postpartum, which consists of analyzing some symptoms. Postpartum depression can negatively affect bonding with the baby, moreover, there is an increased risk of developing illness during pregnancy in women over 35.
References
Arias, F. (2019). Arias’ practical guide to high-risk pregnancy and delivery: A south Asian perspective. (5th ed.). Elsevier Health Sciences.
Friedmann, J. (2018). Things that helped: On postpartum depression. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
Spilsbury, R. (2018). Down syndrome. The Rosen Publishing Group.