Doctors everywhere are seeing women who are waiting until later in life to have children, often because they first want to finish post-graduate degrees or become established in their careers. In fact, 20 percent of women wait to start a family until they are in their mid-30s.
While these women tend to make healthier lifestyle choices and are better equipped to handle the responsibilities that being a parent requires,women who wait until later in life to conceive face some challenges that younger women often do not.
However, there are steps you can take now that can increase your chances of having a healthy pregnancy later.
Risks you may encounter
While most healthy women who become pregnant after 35 go on to have healthy babies, there are some increased risks you should be aware of:
- Infertility:According to the CDC, about 12 percent of women age 15 to 44 in the United States have difficulty getting pregnant or carrying a pregnancy to term. After 35, infertility rates in women rise significantly because they have fewer healthy eggs and their bodies are less able to release the healthy eggs.
- Multiple births:Infertility issues arising from advanced age can lead prospective parents to seekinfertility treatments, which can increase the possibility formultiples. Because more than half of all births of multiples are premature, women using fertility medications need to be monitored closely throughout their pregnancies.
- Chromosomal abnormalities:There is a slight increase in chromosomal abnormalities, such asDown syndrome, in pregnancies where the mother is older than 35. TheMarch of Dimesreports the chance of having a baby with Down syndrome increases from 1 in 1,250 births at age 25, to 1 in 400 births at 35. If you choose,screening tests may diagnosesome of these chromosomal abnormalities early in the pregnancy.
Healthy choices for healthy pregnancies
As we age, we all face a greater risk of gaining weight or developing hypertension, diabetes, thyroid disease, or other health problems that can make conceiving and pregnancy more difficult. However, there are healthy choices you can make now to increase your chance of having the healthiest pregnancy possible:
- Maintain a healthy diet.Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Exercise regularly.Recent studieshave shown that women who exercise 30 minutes a day most days have a greater chance of being fertile than women who do not.
- Take 0.4 mg of folic acid per daystarting two to three months before you conceive.
- Stay away from drugs and alcohol.
- Don’t smoke.
- Ask your doctor before starting any new medications.
- Talk to your physicianbefore trying to conceive to discuss any problems you might face.
By committing to a healthy lifestyle, you can ensure the healthiest pregnancy and birth possible for you and your baby. If you’re thinking of starting a family and are 35 or older,request an appointmentwith your physician to go over any unique challenges you might be facing and create a pregnancy plan that’s right for you.
Did you or your partner have a baby when you were age 35 or older? Share your No. 1 piece of advice for parents-to-be who are in the same boat in the blog comments below.
FAQs
Eat a healthy diet.
During pregnancy, you'll need more folic acid, calcium, iron, vitamin D and other essential nutrients. If you're already eating a healthy diet, keep it up. A daily prenatal vitamin can help fill any gaps. Begin taking a prenatal vitamin a few months before getting pregnant.
Is 35 years old considered high risk pregnancy? ›
But as people get older, they face an increased risk of medical issues that can potentially complicate their pregnancy. While delivering at age 35 and older is officially considered “advanced maternal age,” Dr. Kalish notes that in reality, there's no “magic number” for being at-risk for complications.
What should a pregnant woman do to ensure a healthy pregnancy? ›
To take great care of yourself and your baby during your pregnancy, follow these basics:
- Don't smoke, drink alcohol, or use drugs.
- Get enough rest.
- Eat a healthy diet.
Don't Smoke, Drink Alcohol, or Use Drugs
One of the best ways to protect you and your baby is to stop smoking, drinking alcohol, and using drugs before you become pregnant — or as soon as possible during your pregnancy. There's no safe amount to drink or smoke while you're pregnant. Both can harm your baby's health.
How to improve egg quality at 35? ›
Egg quality and quantity also decline in a woman's 30s and 40s. While the total number of eggs cannot be increased, research has shown that egg quality can be improved. Supplements containing Myo-inositol, folic acid and melatonin have been shown to help improve egg quality and ovarian function.
What are the chances of birth defects at age 35? ›
Older women are more likely to have a baby with a chromosome disorder such as Down syndrome. If you are age 25, the chance of Down syndrome is about 1 in 1,250. If you are age 35, the risk increases to 1 in 400. By age 45, it is 1 in 30.
How to avoid Down syndrome in pregnancy? ›
For example – quitting smoking can improve the likelihood of a mother giving birth to a healthy baby and avoiding certain birth defects, such as Down syndrome. Turn to a healthy lifestyle – The health of the mother during pregnancy directly affects the health of the unborn child.
What is a pregnancy after 35 called? ›
In the medical world, a geriatric pregnancy is an old term that was used to describe a pregnancy in a person over the age of 35. Nowadays, doctors use the term advanced maternal age (AMA) instead. Here's what to expect if you are pregnant in this age group.
How to avoid chromosomal abnormalities in pregnancy? ›
Preventing Birth Defects
- Take a vitamin with 400 micrograms of folic acid every day. ...
- Foods with folic acid include : okra, pinto beans, navy beans, mustard greens, kale, spinach, chicken liver, beef liver, orange juice, asparagus, broccoli, avocado, green peas, cauliflower, tomato juice, peanuts, and cantaloupe.
Don't eat mould-ripened soft cheese, such as brie, camembert and chevre (a type of goat's cheese) and others with a similar rind. You should also avoid ricotta, feta, mozzarella, bocconcini and blue-veined cheeses. These may contain listeria, which can get in during the manufacturing process.
2. 7 nutritious fruits you should eat during pregnancy
- 2.1. Oranges. Oranges keep you hydrated. ...
- 2.2. Mango. Mangoes are another great source of vitamin C. ...
- 2.3. Avocado. The nutritional composition of avocados has more folate than other fruits. ...
- 2.4. Lemon. ...
- 2.5. Banana. ...
- 2.6. Berry. ...
- 2.7. Apple.
What is the best supplement for a pregnant woman? There is a wide range of supplements for pregnancy that women can choose from. Experts recommend that you choose a supplement that suits your needs and budget and should contain these essential vitamins; folic acid, iron, magnesium, omega 3 and omega 6 oils and choline.
What are the benefits of having a baby after 35? ›
"Overall, the children of older moms were better behaved, well socialized, and emotionally healthy in their pre-teen years," says Dr. Salber. "In other words, older moms' more relaxed parenting behaviors appear to have paid off for these youngsters."
What are the odds of Down syndrome at 37? ›
Down syndrome occurs in people of all races and economic levels. The risk increases with the mother's age (1 in 1250 for a 25 year old mother to 1 in 1000 at age 31, 1 in 400 at age 35, and about 1 in 100 at age 40). However, 80% of babies with Down syndrome are born to women under age 35 years.
How long does it take a healthy 35 year old to get pregnant? ›
According to the Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority, about 95% of women aged 35 who have regular unprotected sexual intercourse will get pregnant after three years of trying, but for women aged 38, only 75% will do so2. The graph above shows the effect of age on the declining chances of conception.
