Deepika Padukone’s pregnancy highlights rise in motherhood after 40: Doctors

Bengaluru

Deepika Padukone has announced her second pregnancy with Ranveer Singh, sparking widespread excitement across the country and drawing reactions from both fans and celebrities. The announcement has also prompted responses from medical experts in the field of obstetrics. Doctors note that such pregnancies, particularly among women above the age of 40, are becoming increasingly common due to significant advancements in modern medicine. Improved fertility treatments, better prenatal care, and enhanced medical technologies have contributed to making later-age pregnancies safer and more viable than ever before.

“The increasing number of women choosing to conceive after the age of 40 reflects significant shifts in life priorities as well as advancements in reproductive healthcare”, said Dr Pavitra Shyamsundar, Fertility Specialist at Nova IVF Fertility, Hubli, reacting to the announcement of actor Deepika Padukone’s second pregnancy. She noted that while later-life pregnancies are becoming more common, they require careful medical supervision. “Women conceiving at this stage need closer monitoring due to specific health considerations. However, with appropriate expertise and timely care, doctors can ensure safe outcomes,” she added.

Echoing this view, Dr Thejaswini J, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Motherhood Hospitals, Electronic City, Bengaluru, said that conceiving in one’s 40s highlights the progress made in modern obstetrics. Medically termed Advanced Maternal Age (AMA), such pregnancies can be managed safely with a structured medical approach. She emphasised that preconception assessment is essential to evaluate ovarian reserve and manage pre-existing conditions such as hypertension or thyroid disorders.

“As egg quality declines with age, increasing the risk of genetic abnormalities, tests like Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) and detailed fetal anomaly scans become crucial”, she explained. Dr Triveni Arun Akkiraju, Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Rainbow Children’s Hospital, Hebbal, pointed out that pregnancies after age 40 are typically categorised as high-risk, requiring more frequent check-ups. “While not inherently dangerous, age-related decline in fertility can prolong conception and increase the likelihood of complications such as gestational diabetes, hypertension, preeclampsia, miscarriage, preterm birth, and chromosomal conditions like Down syndrome,” she said.

She emphasised that preconception health is critical, noting that any pre-existing medical conditions - such as thyroid disorders, epilepsy, diabetes, or hypertension- should be effectively managed before planning a pregnancy. Once these conditions are under control, women can proceed with greater confidence. She further noted that maintaining a healthy weight, ensuring appropriate folic acid supplementation, and seeking early prenatal care are essential components of maternal health. Emphasising continuity of care, she added that regular follow-ups and routine prenatal check-ups are crucial for closely monitoring the well-being of both mother and foetus, as these assessments provide vital clinical insights throughout the pregnancy.

Dr Triveni pointed out that maternal age alone does not determine pregnancy outcomes. Overall health, lifestyle, reproductive history, and access to quality medical care play equally important roles. With proper planning and personalised medical guidance, many women in their 40s can experience healthy pregnancies. “Women today have the opportunity to become mothers even at advanced ages because modern advances in obstetrics and vigilant antenatal care, together with improved fertility treatments, have removed all age barriers to motherhood”, stated Dr Pavitra Shyamsundar.