Advanced age and pregnancy

It's never too late to start your family!

Becoming pregnant after the age of 35 puts women into a category that is a growing trend. The pregnancy rate for mothers over 35 is significantly rising. For some reason, researchers and medical professionals have chosen 35 to be the magical age for classifying a woman as "advanced maternal age".

Risks

Pregnancy at any age does not come risk free. After the age of 35, there are additional concerns that need to be kept in mind during pregnancy. Most mothers feel that the risks associated with becoming pregnant after age 35 are secondary to the benefits of starting a family of their own.

As a woman's age increases, her chances of conceiving decrease. However, once a woman has become pregnant, the risks of carrying a child with a birth defect are higher. For instance, the odds of having a child with Down Syndrome at age 20 is 1 in 10,000, about 1 in 1,000 for the 35-year old mother and approximately 1 in 100 for 40-year old mothers. Every woman is born with a certain number of eggs and as the woman gets older, so do her eggs. The mother's eggs have been exposed to more x-rays, illnesses, drugs, etc throughout the years. However, both the woman's eggs and the father's sperm can be responsible for any birth defects that the child is born with.

Down Syndrome and other birth defects can be diagnosed during pregnancy through prenatal testing. Diagnostic testing is routine in mothers over the age of 35 and should an abnormality be discovered, the parents must decide whether to proceed with the pregnancy. Doctors, genetic counselors, pediatricians, maternal-fetal specialists and other medical professionals are available to help with this tough, life-changing decision.

Older mothers also have a higher chance of developing pregnancy-related complications. Women that are 35 and over are more likely to develop high blood pressure, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The chances of suffering a miscarriage, preterm labor or postpartum hemorrhage increase as age increases as well. Although nothing can be ruled out for anyone, regardless of age, women that are in overall good health and receive regular prenatal care are less likely to experience these conditions.

Benefits

Although there are risks associated with becoming pregnant after the age of 35, there are also benefits. Medical science has come along way and the risks associated with advanced maternal age are lower and less complicated than they once were. Technology allows for easier testing and earlier diagnosis of potential birth defects.

Older mothers have improved the odds for themselves when it comes to lowering these risks. Because of the increased risks of complications, mothers of advanced age are usually more likely to eat healthy, exercise throughout pregnancy and receive early, quality prenatal care. When a pregnant mother makes an effort to minimize or eliminate the odds of conceiving a child with birth defects, she can take years off of her pregnancy profile. Due to this, an older woman can have just as good of a chance of delivering a healthy baby as a younger mother.

More than half of older mothers have college degrees and are career-oriented. Generally, women of advanced maternal age have met their educational and career goals, making them financially secure. Older mothers have usually been settled in their lives, relationship and have a certain stability that younger mothers may not have had the chance to accomplish. It has been theorized that the mothers of advanced age make great parents because of their stability and maturity. Because older mothers have had time to themselves, they are less likely to feel bogged down with the daily demands of raising a child. Studies have shown that mothers with advanced age were more likely to demonstrate patience and other qualities that were beneficial to the development of a young child.

Complications and Concerns

There are risks and concerns associated with advanced maternal age. Of course, not all expectant women will experience complications during their pregnancy. Prenatal tests and screenings can diagnose complications early so that you and your caregiver can make informed choices early in the pregnancy. Although all pregnant women are capable of developing complications during pregnancy, the following list shows the possible complications that mothers over the age of 35 are more likely to face.

Down Syndrome
Decreased fetility
Twins or multiples
High blood pressure
Gestational diabetes
Arthritis
Preterm labor
Miscarriage
Placental abruption
Placenta previa
Low-birthweight baby
Higher caesarean rate
Higher chance of maternal death
Stillbirth
Ectopic pregnancy
Birth defects

Advanced Paternal Age

Alongside with advanced maternal age, there are slight risks associated when the father of the conceived child is older. In the past, it was believed that the father of a baby was limited to fertilization. However, recent studies have shown that father's of advanced age are more likely to have abnormalities in their sperm that produce a child with birth defects, like Down Syndrome. Once a man is of advanced age, his sperm have had greater exposure to environmental hazards and may contain altered or damaged genes. Men also work in occupations that expose them to higher environmental hazards and stress levels. In recent studies, 25% of Down syndrome cases can be traced to the father.

Women who are over the age of 35 are considered to be of advanced maternal age. However, it seems that men are labeled advanced paternal age when they reach 40. At this time there is no universally accepted age to determine advanced paternal age, but 40 is the age that genetic counselors base their information on. Because older men are generally married to older women, it is often hard to determine which parent is responsible for contributing an altered gene or chromosome. A woman that conceives a child with a man of advanced age, has a slightly higher chance of experiencing a miscarriage.

The question of whether or not birth defects can be linked to advanced paternal age remains mainly unanswered. Researchers do think there is a connection, but the connection is slight. Genetic counselors and obstetricans can offer advice and further testing if there is any concern regarding complications due to advanced paternal age.

Comments: Advanced age and pregnancy

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pantherladywith2kitties - 307 days ago.
Hi everyone I'll be 39 in a week pregnant with twin boys 6 months now and i am enjoying every bit of it

nicksmommy - 308 days ago.
Hi everyone, I just had a baby boy recently, Jan 5th actually. I am 39 years old. It can definitely happen! Now I am concerned about breastfeeding because I don't want to wait too too long to be fertile again...Well anyway I will BF a few months at least and then take it from there. Not in a rush but want my options to remain open! Doctor said I am quite fertile and healthy, will be 40 this year :)

Dragana - 309 days ago.
Hey all, my name is Dragana and I am 36 years old. I'm seven weeks pregnant, and after bleeding which begun three days after I found out I was preg and stopped three days ago, all seems to be going well for now. I have an ultrasound on 21/01, crossing my fingers all is well.

ragtopgirl - 317 days ago.
Hello ladies! Well, I'm 41 an am enjoying my 11 month old son like crazy! We are considering doing it again..... I'll be 42 in march. :)

catbertie - 318 days ago.
I don't post here often......I'm 42 and pregnant with my first bio child (I have two adopted by choice) which was a surprise- failed birth control. I'm 39 weeks today and have felt great through out my pregnancy. I'm scheduled to be induced next week as there is nothing to indicate labor will begin on its own......

Kathren - 319 days ago.
You know ladies, if it is one thing I have learned thus far, is that we are not too old to have our babies. Women now a days are having children much later in life. Healthier living and preparation are making conception happen more often at what doctors considered 'advanced ages'. I am 37 and am 25 weeks pregnant. I feel wonderful. I had a baby in June of 2007 as well, and I also have a 10 year old son. My grandmother had my father when she was 46 years old and he was perfectly healthy. So long as we follow our doctor's advice and maintain good eating habits, we can all have babies til we decide we are done. Congratz to those of you who just joined the ranks of the pregnant. I hope you are all feeling well. And, I am sending lots of baby dust to those of you trying to conceive.

PreggersAgainYippee - 319 days ago.
Hi all! I am 5.5 weeks pregnant and hoping this little bean sticks. I am 40 and will be 41 when I deliver. Also, I just had a baby earlier this year, so I'm really making up for lost time. LOL I figure I'd better get cracking. Plus I just love being a mom! =) I go in for a blood test to check HCG level this Friday and then a likely ultrasound at 6-7 weeks and another at 10-12 weeks for the nuchal trans. test. I'll probably be holding my breath somewhat until the 10-12 week scan with combined blood test.

Ange - 320 days ago.
I am almost 38 and I an now pregnant with my 4th. they almost 14yrs,12yrs and 14 months. I too am cocerned but I feel confident that God will bless us with another perfect baby. I am getting the amnio again just to set my mind at easy but I already feel that I am going to have a healthy little girl.

Tess42 - 320 days ago.
Hey Madism, when I was about 35, my husband and I decided that we were not going to prevent a pregnancy if it was meant to happen. Well, 40 rolled around and I figured I wouldn't be conceiving, but I did. To be honest, I felt as ambivalent about the pregnancy -- just as I did about conceiving in the first place. I have to say now, though, I'm totally in love with my little fellow. I'm just drinking in every minute of his babyhood because I know how quickly it will slip away!!

madism - 321 days ago.
Hi ladies. I'm almost 39 and considering another pregnancy. I have 21 & 3 year old girls. I'm kind of waffling though. Due to my concerns re the risks. So afraid of what it will do to my body, (had a very hard time physically with my 2nd, tough delivery, double pneumonia, 2yrs with bout after bout of mastitis). You get the picture. My question is, has anyone else out there thought they wanted another but werent sure? Sometimes I wonder if it's something else causing my feelings????

Diegirl - 323 days ago.
res~I am getting the amnio done. It will be my first time so I am a little nervous, but excited to find out the sex for sure. Last time they said girl and it turned out to be boy number 3! LOL!

res - 323 days ago.
We will wait and do the integrated screen first and then decide on the amnio if the test shows anything.

Kathren - 323 days ago.
I had my amnio in November and receiving the news that there are no chromosomal abnormalities and no birth defects is very comforting. The other benefit to the amnio is 100% accuracy on the babies gender. I am having a little girl this time. Finally... I already have two boys, one 10 and the other 18 months. I actually amnios with all my children. With the first, it was because of abnormalities in the AFP test. With the second, I was past that 35 year mark, so I expected it with this one. To me, there is nothing to it. But, I also have an awesome specialist whom I trust implicately. I hope you all are doing well. Good luck if you have it done.

Roxy1210 - 324 days ago.
I had my first appt and discussed the 12 week nuchal test. I chose to defer. I am 9 weeks and 41y with no family hx of anything. I am however considering an amnio at 20 weeks. Am I going to do anything different if the 'odds' of congenital defects are higher. I personally am not . I really dislike the false positives. My daughter had one. Had to see a perinatologist , massive stress and worry with no problems.

jakaroo - 325 days ago.
I had my first child when I was 39 (a month and a half later I turned 40). I am now 43 and think I am pregnant again. My AF is2 days late, the test came back a BFN but I have some pregnancy symptoms so it is now a waiting game. My Doctor put me on Clomid, wouldn't it be funny if I was having twins!

Ange - 326 days ago.
Hi All, I am back cause I have a 14 month old and just found out I am pregnant agian, 4 weeks. I had an amino with my last pregnacy and everything came back fine. I was very nervous because you constantly hear about all that could happen just because you are over 35. I dont know what made me more nervous that or the needle ( because I am deathly afraid of needles lol) But I had it don and it wasnt that bad. I will prob get it done again this time around.

Goldenmama37 - 327 days ago.
I think we are going to pass on the amnio. Our hospital boasts a 96% accuracy rate on their Nuchal test. The combined Nuchal/blood test (I had mine at 11 weeks) dropped our odds of downs to 1 in 730 and trisomy 18 to 1 in 10,000. Spina bifida is only 1 in 1,000 (all these odds make my head spin around). I'm not expert but our kid looked pretty darn normal to me. I think we may even pass on the triple screen since it has a high false positive that if you get one, constitutes an amnio where 95% turn out ok. I think my husband wants to do the triple screen but I am getting warned to stop looking for trouble or eventually I'll find something to worry about. Now that we are 14 1/2 weeks, I think we are in this for good at this point too...Just 5 1/2 weeks til the 20 week ultrasound...

res - 328 days ago.
Debating about whether or not to have an amnio. We are doing the integrated screen ( quad screen). I think I will decide after those results come in. Are any of you having the same dilemma?

res - 328 days ago.
Yes, I had my first at 39, and am having my 2nd now at 40.

taniajill - 329 days ago.
Hi, my name is Tania and im will soon be 37. Am 15 weeks ppregnant with my 2nd child. Tomorrow i will have an amnio and i was just wondering if anyone here has had one. am quite nervous about it

beckybear - 331 days ago.
katelyns mom - I got PG for the first time this year at the age of 36. We were also not trying at the time. I M/C and now we are trying. So yes, I will be pretty 'old' when I have my first child (hopefully!). One of my best friends had her first at the age of 38, and a co-worker of mine also just had her first at the age of 38, so I know it can be done! There's even another co-worker here that started having kids at 35, and has had 3 since then and is now 43 and PG again.

katelyns mom - 331 days ago.
Is anyone out there having their first child at an advanced age. It seems everyone has kids. I'm 39, I will turn 40 when I'm 36 weeks pregnant and this is my first. I too was surprised. We weren't trying, actually I went off birth control almost 2 years ago and never got pregnant. I thought I couldn't but since we weren't married, it didn't upset me. I went on a diet and lost 35 pounds and bam withing a month I got pregnant. I get pretty scared sometimes but I'm completely in love with my daughter already and can't wait to meet her. Just wanted to know if anyone else my age is going through their first. My family is kind of far so I don't really have anyone nearby. Most of my friends have moved away. My closest friend lives an hour away, so I'm pretty much alone. My guy is around, which helps, but it's not the same as having other women to talk to.

Vikki - 338 days ago.
Christmas is fun with the little ones isn't it!? A CHRISTMAS TIP. If your little ones try and pull the bottom of the tree, put the play pen around it. I also put the presents on the inside of the play pen and put tinsel on it to brighten it up. I also put the stockings on the playpen so it is still festive but not LOOKING forbidden

res - 338 days ago.
Congrats roxy and phoebe. Roxy, my name is Roxanne, too!

phoebe1973 - 338 days ago.
Well, I'm 35 and my DH is 46, and this is a total surprise! Our combined family makes 6 with this one, ranging from 22 down to 7. I sure never thought I would be having another one. I also have FMS, so things have been a little more painful...my youngest set it off, so I have had it for 7 years now. This has certainly been a different pg for me so far! Roxy, I hope you can put your mind at rest and enjoy the next few months! You have such a great support system, you will be fine no matter what happens! You are lucky to have such a great relationship with your daughter! Mine will have an uncle that is 2 yrs older than him, too!(my stepdaughter) It'll be so fun!