Pregnancy Accelerates Mothers’ Lifespans: New Study 

News Desk

Islamabad: New research suggests that pregnancy may contribute to accelerated biological aging in women. A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences indicates that women who have been pregnant exhibit more pronounced signs of biological aging compared to those who have never been pregnant.

Furthermore, the study suggests that multiple pregnancies could potentially accelerate the aging process even further.

Lead author of the study, Associate Research Scientist Kellyanne Ryan from Columbia University Aging Center at the Mailman School of Public Health, commented, “We are still in the process of understanding the long-term effects of pregnancy on the body. While not all of these effects are necessarily negative, there does seem to be an increased risk of certain illnesses and mortality.”

The research involved analyzing blood samples from 1,735 volunteers aged 20 to 22 in the Philippines back in 2005. Researchers also took into account various factors such as reproductive history, pregnancy experiences, as well as socioeconomic and pollution-related variables known to influence aging.

In addition, the study examined epigenetic modifications in DNA, which serve as markers of aging. These modifications, often referred to as “epigenetic clocks,” accumulate over time and can reflect the impact of factors like stress and other life experiences on cellular aging.

This research sheds light on the potential effects of pregnancy on the aging process and underscores the need for further investigation into its long-term implications for women’s health.

Pregnancy Accelerates Aging

According to the findings of this study, women who have been pregnant exhibit accelerated biological aging compared to women of similar age who have not experienced pregnancy.

The research indicates that aging progresses at a rate of approximately 3 percent per year in women who have been pregnant, resulting in a biological age increase of over four months to a year compared to their chronological age.

Furthermore, the study delved into the impact of multiple pregnancies on the aging process. It revealed that women who undergo multiple pregnancies age more rapidly, with an aging rate of about 2 percent per pregnancy, particularly up to five months of pregnancy.

Conversely, women who experience fewer pregnancies or pregnancy loss before reaching five months show a slower aging rate.

To gain deeper insights into the effects of pregnancy, researchers analyzed a smaller subgroup of women over a nine-year period.

The analysis revealed varied outcomes, with women who had experienced more pregnancies demonstrating more pronounced changes in specific epigenetic clocks compared to those with fewer pregnancies.

To ensure that external factors influencing aging, such as air pollution, smoking, and socioeconomic status, were considered, the researchers also applied the same epigenetic clock analysis to male participants.

Interestingly, there was no observed correlation between the number of children fathered by men and their rate of biological aging.

Can Pregnancy Hasten Aging?

While doctors have indicated the potential for accelerated aging in pregnant women, experts also assert that the idea of age reversal remains unrealistic.

According to Dr Chetana Jain, Director of Gynaecology at Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, it’s crucial to define aging at a biological level.

Aging encompasses a gradual decline in cellular function and physiological processes over time, resulting in increased vulnerability to disease and a general decline in health.

Genetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors all play significant roles in determining an individual’s aging rate.

Research into the impact of pregnancy on aging has uncovered intriguing insights.

An noteworthy study published in the journal ‘Scientific Reports’ in 2019 demonstrated that pregnancy can indeed expedite the aging process.

Debunking Aging Myths

It’s crucial to acknowledge that pregnancy is a natural and vital aspect of human reproduction, albeit with potential short-term impacts on the mother. However, these effects don’t necessarily lead to irreversible aging or significant long-term adverse health effects.

According to experts, current scientific understanding doesn’t lend support to the notion of reversing aging at the fundamental biological level. Nevertheless, ongoing research explores interventions that could mitigate certain aspects of aging, such as lifestyle modifications and enhanced healthcare practices.