Health News and Information

Some women approaching their 40s suddenly find themselves very fearful of becoming pregnant. Through their late 20s and 30s, although not wanting any more children and having what they believe to be adequate contraception, an unwanted pregnancy would not be such a disaster, but in their 40s the fear of it can suddenly become overwhelming. They may present with fears that their contraception will let them down. Again, reassurance and explanation about their chosen method, or a suggestion to change to something safer could be sufficient, but acknowledgement of their fears and an attempt to understand the reasons behind the fears is crucial if the most satisfactory method of contraception is to be found for each individual couple. Other factors in their lives may precipitate such worries. One such factor is that of becoming a grandparent. The arrival of a grandchild brings home to the woman or couple the fact that they now do not have the stamina, physically or emotionally to cope with a baby. Another trigger is when patients approach the age at which their mother, a close relative or someone known to them had an unplanned and unwelcome pregnancy. Often they have not made the connection until they have the chance to talk freely to a professional person, when they may be surprised at what they find themselves saying.

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