You may have heard a lot of comments from people about getting pregnant when you’re older, but you need to know the facts if you’re ready to start a family.
What Does Older Mean?
You may have heard it can be more difficult to get pregnant when you’re older or that you may have more issues with the baby or your own health as you get older. Before you learn about facts versus myths, you need to know what older really means. Does it mean you’re in your 40s, over 35 or perhaps just that you past the 25 years age mark?
For medical and testing purposes, older generally means you are over the age of 35, with risks increasing after you reach 40. Being in this age category doesn’t mean you can’t get pregnant or that you won’t have a healthy baby. It just means that most doctors will want you to have more tests and to be monitored closely.
The medical term is elderly primigravida, which won’t do much for your self-confidence either. Just know that it means that doctors will be taking extra good care of you and your baby.
Health Risks for Older Moms and Their Babies
Your risk for developing certain health conditions goes up with age. One of the most prevalent is diabetes while high blood pressure also poses a significant health concern.
Women who are older when they get pregnant have a higher risk for miscarriage as well as ectopic pregnancy. Even if you are relatively healthy at the time, you could be more likely to develop gestational diabetes as well as pre-eclampsia. You are more likely to have a premature birth as well.
Not all concerns are physical for you or the baby. Older mothers have an increased risk for having a baby with Down’s syndrome. In fact, the risk goes from 1 in 1500 for mothers in their 20s to 1 in 100 for mothers over 40.
The actual delivery may also be more difficult for older women. They often need to be induced or have a C-section over natural birth. Another concern is fetal distress because of longer labor with older moms. This is one reason C-sections rise in popularity for older mothers.
One piece of good news for those having a baby later in life is that the rate of stillbirths doesn’t increase significantly with age. Knowing that can provide peace of mind for those expecting a child as they get older.
While it’s important to know the risks involved with having a baby after you turn 35, 40 or even 45, it’s also necessary to realize you can have a healthy baby. The key is to be vigilant and take care of yourself before and during pregnancy and to work with your doctor.
