Finally! You are ready to have a baby. It must be super exciting, right? But perhaps you are also in your mid or late-30s? Should you be worried about your age? Does it affect your chances? You must have already heard that it does pose a few risks but those are nothing to worry about. You are in safe hands. Nowadays, it is common for women to delay pregnancy into their 30s and still deliver healthy babies. Taking extra care of your health can help give the baby a great foundation for proper development.
Here’s what you should know about having babies from 35 and up.
What pregnancy past 35 looks like?
It could be that you were completing your studies or waiting for the right one before starting a family. Chances are you are not the only one. Women becoming first-time moms after 35 years of age was nine times higher in 2012 than it was in the early 1970s.
Though in the medical world, such women have been labelled with terms like advanced maternal age (AMA) or geriatric pregnancy which all mean pregnancy of a person over the age of 35. Rest assured, women in their late 30s and 40s are having smooth pregnancies and healthy babies and there are things you can do to boost your chances.
What are the risks of pregnancy after 35?
The older you get, the higher the risk of certain complications. There's nothing magical about age 35. It just makes various risks more discussion-worthy. For example:
Takes longer to get pregnant - You're born with a limited number of eggs. As you reach your mid-to-late 30s, your eggs decrease in quantity and quality. Fertilization of the eggs also becomes harder.
Likely to have multiple pregnancies - Chances of having twins increases with age due to hormonal changes that could cause the release of multiple eggs at the same time.
Gestational diabetes - This type of diabetes, which occurs only during pregnancy, is more common as women get older. Left untreated, gestational diabetes can cause a baby to grow significantly larger than average — which increases the risk of injuries during delivery.
Chromosome abnormalities are higher - Babies born to older mothers have a higher risk of certain chromosome problems, such as Down syndrome.
High blood pressure - Is more common in older women. You will need more frequent obstetric appointments and you might need to deliver before your due date to avoid complications.
Need for a C-section - Older mothers have a higher risk of pregnancy-related complications that might lead to a C-section delivery.
Low birth weight and premature births
Are there any benefits?
On the other hand, it’s not all bad. In fact, there’s proof that waiting a bit longer to have children could have benefits for you and your baby. For instance:
You are likely to have higher incomes and more resources to take care of their children than younger mothers.
You might be more prepared emotionally
Your child may be better educated and more tech-savvy
How can I promote a healthy pregnancy?
It all starts with taking care of your health by doing the basics. That means:
Getting pre-conception checkups and counselling
Getting early and regular prenatal care
Managing medical problems
Managing medical issues
Quit smoking
When should I see a doctor?
We advise that you talk to your doctor if you are pregnant and over age 35. The doctor will recommend some extra monitoring along the way, to make sure you have a healthy pregnancy.
If possible, it’s best to see your doctor before you try to become pregnant. They can help you get started with steps toward a healthy pregnancy. This can include:
Avoiding substances such as smoking, alcohol, or drugs
Eating a balanced diet
Maintaining a healthy weight
Taking prenatal vitamins with folic acid before conception
Once you’re pregnant, you should see your doctor for prenatal care. Talk with your doctor about how you can have the best pregnancy possible and what you can do to lower your risk of complications.
Summary
Whether you are above 35 or not, being pregnant should not be something you are scared about or worried about. Despite the potential risks involved with pregnancy at that age. Many have had healthy pregnancies and babies. As long as you take good care of your health and consult with your doctor often you can look forward to smooth pregnancy and delivery.
Stay informed, stay in control
Does this make you feel a little more confident about conceding at an older age?