If you are over the age of 35 and pregnant, you might bristle at the thought of your medical chart referring to you as having a “geriatric pregnancy” – or the slightly kinder term, “advanced maternal age.”
When having a baby past the age of 35, there is an increased risk for certain issues to arise. It doesn’t mean you are definitely going to encounter problems, it just means your health care provider will discuss the risks with you and may recommend a few extra tests that younger mothers-to-be might not require.
“In planning a pregnancy after 35, one should visit your provider first to discuss any particular risk factors,” said Dr. Stephen Hensley, a physician at St. Elizabeth Women’s Health Cold Spring location. “These include a family history of cystic fibrosis, Tay-Sachs disease or other inheritable conditions. Certain races are more prone to have certain genetic issues that need to be addressed as well.”
“Routine care is usually the norm for all pregnancies regardless of age, but this type of pregnancy may require additional surveillance that can be identified and treated,” Hensley said.
With any pregnancy, Hensley said, taking prenatal vitamins are a must prior to conception. Taking good care of yourself is the first step toward taking care of your baby ““ eating healthy food, exercising safely, avoiding risky substances, planning a preconception doctor’s appointment when possible and getting regular prenatal care.
Here are some of the possible risks your doctor may discuss with you during a pregnancy after age 35:
- It might take longer to get pregnant ““ if you have been trying for more than six months, consult your doctor.
- Increased chance of having multiples
- Gestational diabetes is more common
- High blood pressure is more common
- Premature or low-birth weight babies happens more often
- C-sections are more frequent in older moms
- Chromosome abnormalities risk is higher
- Risk of pregnancy loss is higher
