Pregnancy After 35: All You Need to Know
Statistically an increasing number of women are getting pregnant after age 35. In fact, the number of older mothers or as some doctors like to call it, mothers of an advanced maternal age, is increasing not only in the USA but in other countries as well.
Why More Women are Delaying Pregnancy
According to statistics, one in five women today delays pregnancy until after the age of 35. In fact, over the last 15 or so years there has been a whopping 50 percent increase in first births to women over 40 years old. The reasons for this are many, but the most common ones are:
- Getting a career going – Many women delay childbirth to concentrate on building up a career first. Once on a career path, some women find it difficult to take time out for marriage and children.
- Ensuring that they are financially secure
- Improved medical treatment and prenatal tests
Improvement in fertility treatments have made it possible for women to
conceive and have a healthy, normal pregnancy and baby despite advancing age. Prenatal tests have also helped in that couples can know whether or not a fetus will have any genetic abnormalities or defects such as Down Syndrome.
Of course, one cannot forget the stories of celebrities who have given birth after age forty. The list includes actresses such as Halle Berry, Nicole Kidman, and most recently 48-year old Nancy Grace. They have given hope to legions of women who would have at one time thought they had let the opportunity of motherhood slip by.
The proliferation of online support groups of and for women who have successfully became moms after age 35, whether for the first or tenth time offers added inspiration.
Fertility and Older Women
One interesting fact about getting pregnant at an older age is that although fertility levels fall, the odds of having twins increases. While the use of fertility treatment increases the occurrence of multiples, older women can also naturally have twins without medical intervention.
Interestingly, despite what anyone may think, women over 35 and in their forties having babies is nothing new. If we check back into our family histories we will find that there have been many births to mothers who were well past 35. I know for a fact that my mom and at least one aunt had children while in their forties.
Risks Associated with Getting Pregnant After 35
While it is true that the risk to both mother and baby increases after age 35, it is really not as high as you may be led to believe. In fact, once a woman over age 35 is healthy and has no fertility issues, she has almost the same chance of a healthy baby as a 20-year old. Nonetheless, there are a few things to be aware of if you are over 35 and trying to get pregnant. The main ones are:
- The risk of miscarriage increases
- Fertility levels do start to drop drastically after 35
- Health problems for the woman after 35 include gestational diabetes and hypertension, as well as endometriosis and fibroids. But these can be managed with a combination of medication and lifestyle changes, such as improved diet and exercise.
- The need for c-section increases, however, many women over 35 have had normal deliveries without the need for surgical intervention.
- Increased risk of Down Syndrome. It is a medical fact that a woman aged 40 has about 9 times higher chance of having a baby with this chromosomal defect than a 30 year old woman. Don’t start to panic, in statistical terms that is still less than 1 percent, but does increase with age.
So, while age 20 to 24 is the most fertile period of a woman’s life, for many this is not the right time for them to become mothers. In today’s world, most 20 – 24-year old women are still studying or focusing on climbing the career ladder and in fact, finding themselves. Few are ready at this stage to start a family.
Preparing for Pregnancy after 35
If you are over 35 and thinking of having a baby, here are a few things you can do to improve your chances:
- Get a pre-conception check-up, in fact, it is a good idea for the father-to-be to get one as well. It’s important to know from the get go that physically you are OK.
- Look at your diet to ensure that you are eating properly. Forgo caffeine, excessive alcohol, and drugs if you are serious about getting pregnant. If you are on any special medication talk to your doctor before trying to conceive. Make sure to add folic acid to your supplements as it has been proven to help prevent some neural defects in fetuses.
- Maintain a moderate level of physical activity. If you used to exercise prior to getting pregnant there is generally no need to stop, but be guided by your doctor. However, it is not advisable to pick up exercising as a new activity while pregnant, except for walking.
The Pros and Cons of Later Life Pregnancy
Apart from the medical issues that can occur with pregnancy and motherhood later in life, other negative issues can occur. These are few however, and include being able to adjust to the changes a baby and young child will cause to a well-structured life. However, in many instances this is countered by the joy a new baby brings. Plus older mothers know that being able to have a child at an older age is a blessing and are more than ready for any change in their circumstances. In fact, older mothers tend to be less ambivalent about their pregnancies and children overall.
It is true that recovery can take longer in older women after delivery, whether by natural birth or c-section. However, because most older mothers have already achieved financial stability they can afford to get help to assist with household chores or caring for the baby if they wish.
Pregnancy at any age comes with risks, but the birth of a precious child is a joy and blessing regardless of the mother’s age.
Author: Jessica McCurdy Crooks
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Rose says...
I cannot tell you how grateful I am for this wonderful article.
I am 45 years old and never married, though honestly had 2 abortions in my teenage years.
I always wander if I can ever conceive and bear childen at this age. But thanks for this wonderful article, I have hope.
Thank you,
Rose.
lisa bryan says...
i am 40yrs old and pregnant expecting my 3rd child.
what a reasurring article after hearing all the ‘bad stuff’ out there
Pat says...
Thank-you for this information. I’m 36 and would like to have a child soon. I too went through an abortion and felt a huge void and pain from that experience at a difficult time in my life. I have hope now.
Imag-inations says...
I had both my children after 35 (36 and 40 years old) and while I did deal with infertility and multiple miscarriages, I was finally blessed with 2 healthy, wonderful children. Some people fear they are ‘too old’ to have the stamina to raise children after 35 or 40, but I wouldn’t have it any other way – they KEEP me young! Best wishes to everyone out there trying to conceive….
Tracy says...
Thank you for this article. I am 35 and expecting my 2nd child. My first child is 13 years old, so this pregnancy is so much different than my first when I was only 22. Sometimes persons in the medical field make you feel old just because of your age and that should not be the case anymore. Alot of women are waiting these days and articles like these are encouraging.
Yuki says...
I’m almost 41 yrs and pregnant for the first time of my life……couldn’t think of a better present for myself than this.
Kumud says...
Its really encouraging.I have 9 year old kid and was thinking of 2nd child.After looking at this article its really motivating.I am 33 now.
ElizabethL says...
Thanks for this article. It is so nice to read positive information on advanced maternal age! I’m 40 and pregnant with my third. I had my second at age 38.
Belle says...
I was happy to find your article! I’ll be 37 in a month and think I”m pregnant! This is my third and I was scared after reading all the risks! Thank you for encouraging me!! I’m totally thrilled about being pregnant again! (if I am) I feel more mature and better ready to handle being a mom!! I was a 23 year old single mom of a a 2 year old and a new born!! I’m diffently ready for this!!! If I’m not I’m going to keep on trying!!
Traci says...
I just turned 37 and i’m trying for the first time and I was worried that maybe I was to old to have a child. But this website gives me hope that it’s not to late for me :O)
Millie says...
I am likewise very thankful for this article. I am almost 30 years old, finishing law school, and I know that I won’t be ready to have a baby until I am about 35 or so. While I find the fact that I’ll have a harder time conceiving a little disappointing, I was mostly concerned with risks of birth defects.
At any rate, there seem to be many scare-tactic-ish articles warning women about delaying childrearing, and I appreciated this one that avoided the preachy b.s.
Thanks!
Selena says...
I am 40 years old and having my 4th child, but my new husband 1st child. I have been really nervous but so far everything is going well. So many good changes have been done since my last child 13 years ago.
crystal says...
I am 40 and will deliver when Im 41 .This seemed to be the right time for us and I already have a son who is 7 and very excited.I thank god for this blessing and this article is an inspiration for all of us over 35!
Polli says...
Well, I have tried so hard to “find the right person” and have suffered so much for 20 yrs (I am 39) with relationships. I am finally better and have met the right man for me – the man of my dreams. Being a mother will be yet another dream come true. My grandma had my mom at age 40! God bless all of us out there. No more suffering. Happy lives and motherhood with healthy beautiful babies!
Kristin says...
I am 36 & expecting my 2nd baby in May. I have been worrying about everything with this pregnancy, mostly because of my age. I had my son at 31 & didn’t worry about anything other than eating the right food, etc. I am healthy but still can’t help but be concerned of everything that could go wrong. This artical & everyone’s comments certainly makes me feel a lot better and I am thankful to have read it.
Viv says...
I’m 40,and hoping for a fifth baby.my oldest is 19 and youngest 22 months.My Grandmother was 47 when she had number 8!As long as you take folic acid,eat the right diet and excercise daily,why not?…go for it ladies.
Mimie says...
Not everyone is so lucky to find the right person in their 20 & 30iest. I’m married at 35.
Gave birth at 36 & 38, sadly with one miscarriage at 6 weeks few months before I conceived my 2nd boy.
Nervous and worried during both pregnancy but at the end we are blessed with 2 lovely, healthy & bouncy baby boys. To me being a mom at 40 really makes me feel 20 years younger.. try it
Tara says...
I’m 35 and me and my husband have decided to try for are 4th child after he was in a bad car wreak at the beginning of the year which we almost lost him. This will be he’s 5th. I’m a little nervous because I had all my kids in my 20’s. But I feel very hopeful. Thanks for all the encouraging words.