Pregnancy After The Age of 35 and Over 40

Pregnancy after 35 and pregnancy over 40
If you are over 35 and pregnant, your doctor will most likely refer to you as being of advanced maternal age. Most women from age 35 to over 40 have healthy pregnancies. This is because most women over 35 are in good health. Good prenatal care and healthy habits can help you reduce certain risks. If problems do arise for women over 35, they can usually be successfully treated. No matter what your age, see your health care provider before trying to get pregnant if you:

• have a chronic medical condition, such as diabetes, a seizure disorder or high blood pressure
• are on long-term medication
• do not have medical conditions under control

Prenatal care is especially important for women over 35 because they’re more likely to get high blood pressure and gestational diabetes for the first time during pregnancy. They’re also at increased risk of having a baby with a genetic disorder like Down syndrome.

If you are older than 35 and don’t get pregnant after trying for six months, see your health care provider. Older women may find it harder to get pregnant than younger women because fertility declines with age. In many cases, infertility can be treated.

Complications

Although the pregnancy rate among women over thirty-five has nearly doubled, the risks associated with pregnancy increase gradually as age advances. Women over 35 have a slightly increased risk of the following complications during pregnancy:

miscarriage : for women at age 40, the risk is about 25 percent

placenta previa : this can cause excessive bleeding during delivery; often a cesarean section is needed

fetal distress : fetal distress and prolonged labor are more likely if this is a woman’s first pregnancy

low birthweight baby : the likelihood of a low birthweight baby (less than 5-½ pounds) or a preterm birth (less than 37 weeks of pregnancy) can be significantly reduced by not smoking during pregnancy

cesarean birth : women over 35 have a greater chance of having a cesarean delivery than do other women

Down syndrome : the incidence of Down syndrome increases from 1 in 10,000 for 20 year old mothers to about 3 in 1,000 for 35 year old mothers and 1 in 100 for 40 year old mothers; this may be due to the fact that an older woman’s eggs have been exposed to more x-rays, drugs and infections than a younger woman’s eggs. Down syndrome isn’t preventable, but it can be identified before birth during a prenatal exam.

high blood pressure : an older woman is more likely to develop high blood pressure, diabetes, or cardiovascular disease during pregnancy. These conditions are all controllable by your doctor during your pregnancy.

Tips for Older Moms
The reason that the number of successful pregnancies to mothers over 35 years old has increased is due not only to scientific advances but also due to women that have taken great strides in improving their odds. Below are some tips that will help decrease the chances of an adverse reaction during your pregnancy:

• be sure to get a proper amount of exercise before during and after your pregnancy
• make sure you follow a healthy diet
• ensure that you are receiving optimal prenatal care

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